Canal boat holiday destinations from Autherley in the West Midlands

Our canal boat hire base at Autherley is at the junction of the Shropshire Union Canal, Staffordshire & Worcester Canal and the Birmingham Main Line. So Autherley is perfectly placed for exploring the canals of the West Midlands, including Birmingham where there are more canals than Venice.

The 66-mile long Shropshire Union Canal links Ellesmere Port and the River Mersey in the north, with the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal at Autherley Junction, near Wolverhampton. There are 51 locks along its length.

The 27.5-mile long Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal runs from north of the River Severn to Autherley. There are 33 locks along its length.

The Birmingham Main Line runs for just over nine miles from Gas Street Basin in central Birmingham to Tipton Locks. It has just one lock.

3-night destinations from Autherley

Penkridge and back (20 miles, 12 locks, 11 hours)

*Please note this route is not currently open due to a canal closure on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal at Penkridge.

Turn left onto the Staffordshire & Worcester Canal and cruise through a narrow section of the canal towards the canalside Anchor Inn at Cross Green. The canal meanders through open countryside, passing the Shady pub at Hatherton. Soon after Hatherton Marina you’ll arrive at Gailey Wharf, where there’s a canal shop and you’ll find the Spread Eagle pub in the village. Six locks later you’ll reach the historic market town of Penkridge, where you’ll find shops, markets, cafés, take-aways and pubs, including the Littleton Arms. Turn around just before Penkridge Lock No. 38 and return to Autherley.

Norbury and back (31 miles, 4 locks, 13 hours)

Cruise north along the Shropshire Union Canal through lock-free, open countryside. Moor up before bridge 14 to visit the pretty village of Brewood, where there’s a choice of cafés, shops and pubs, including The Lesters Arms gastropub. Cruise north across Stretton Aqueduct and through one lock at Wheaton Aston, home of the Hartley Arms. The canal then continues lock-free through scenic countryside and woodland.  You’ll go through the short Cowley Tunnel (81 yards), then past the edge of Gnosall village with its canalside Boat Inn.  Next you’ll cruise along Shelmore Embankment and then you’ll reach Norbury Wharf with its canalside Norbury Junction pub. Turn at Norbury Wharf and return to Autherley.

4-night destinations from Autherley

Stafford and back (31 miles, 22 locks, 18 hours)

*Please note this route is not currently open due to a canal closure on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal at Penkridge.

Follow the 3-night route to Penkridge and carry on cruising through the countryside to historic Stafford. Moor up near Radford Bridge No. 98 to walk into the town centre (approx. 1 mile). Pubs in Stafford include the Knot & Plough, and places to visit include The Ancient High House, the largest remaining timber framed house in England. Continue cruising east and turn before Milford Bridge (No. 105) and return to Autherley.

Kinver and back (32 miles, 42 locks, 20 hours)

Head south to the Staffordshire & Worcester Canal and turn right. Cruise past Aldersley Junction, with Dunstall Park Racecourse on your left. Compton Bridge 59 and Wightwick Bridge 56 both have pubs within walking distance.  There’s an old Lock Keeper’s Toll House at the three-lock ‘Bratch’ Flight. After the Bratch, you pass through Wombourne, home of the Round Oak Inn.  You’ll pass the ruins of a roundhouse at Gothersley. After this comes the Stourton Aqueduct, then Stourton Junction wh

ere the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal meets the Stourbridge Canal. Soon after you’ll go through Dunsley Tunnel (25 yards). When you reach the very pretty village of Kinver, you can moor up to explore the village where there are a couple of pubs, a café and a fish and chip shop. And you can walk to the National Trust’s Kinver Rock Houses with its attractive village centre. Just after the village is another lock followed by a turning place so you can return to Autherley.

Market Drayton and back (53 miles, 14 locks, 24 hours)

Follow the 3-night route to Norbury then continue north. Soon after Norbury, you’ll pass under the iconic ‘High Bridge’ and you’ll pass Loynton Moss Nature Reserve. Next you’ll go through the atmospheric Grub Street Cutting and then past the canalside Anchor Inn. At Shebdon you can visit the canalside Wharf pub. Soon after Shebdon, you’ll pass Knighton and Cadbury’s Wharf, from where chocolate crumb used to be transported to Bourneville. You’ll pass the Wharf Tavern at Goldstone Common and then you’ll go through Woodseaves Cutting, full of vegetation and wildlife. There are 5 locks to go through at Tyrley. Moor up at Market Drayton visitors’ moorings and walk into the town, famous for its gingerbread men. Turn at Turley Wharf then return to Autherley.

7-night destinations from Autherley

Fradley and back (65 miles, 34 locks, 33 hours)

*Please note this route is not currently open due to a canal closure on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal at Penkridge.

Follow the 4-night route to Stafford and soon after Radford Bridge you’ll reach the beautiful Tixall Wide lake. When you reach Great Haywood, you’ll find a farm shop and café, and the Clifford Arms pub. Turn right at the junction and head down the Trent & Mersey Canal. Moor at Haywood Lock to visit the National Trust’s Shugborough Estate. Continue south to Wolseley Bridge, the Wolseley Arms pub and Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s Wolseley Centre.

When you arrive at the outskirts of Rugeley, moor up near bridge 66 for easy access to the town and Cannock Chase. Continue on through the Staffordshire countryside, passing the village of Armitage and ‘Spode House’. When you reach Fradley Junction, where the Trent & Mersey Canal meets the Coventry Canal, you’ll find a cafe, the canalside Swan Pub and Fradley Pool Nature Reserve. Turn at the junction and return to Autherley.

Stourport and back (51 miles, 58 locks, 31 hours)

Follow the 4-night route to Kinver and continue heading south along the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal. You’ll go through two more locks before you arrive at Cookley Tunnel (65 yards) and then the village of Cookley. Arriving at the outskirts of Kidderminster, a lock will take you under a busy roundabout in the centre of town.

When you reach the outskirts of Stourport the canal gets narrower, with more bends and bridges. Pubs, houses, tea rooms and shops overlook the canal, then there’s one last lock before you enter the Stourport ‘clock’ basin (c. 1770). You can turn the boat around here and then moor up to walk the Stourport Canal Basins Discovery Trail and visit the Georgian town of Stourport-on-Severn, including the riverside Black Star pub.

Barbridge and back (84 miles, 58 locks, 42 hours)

Follow the 4-night route to Market Drayton and continue heading north up the Shropshire Union canal. There are five locks at Adderley, then 15 locks leading to the village of Audlem. There you’ll find the canalside ‘Shroppie Fly’ pub.  Just before Hack Green locks you can moor up to visit the Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker Museum.

After crossing over Nantwich Aqueduct, moor up to explore this historic market town. There’s a great choice of places to eat and drink and you can walk to Dorfold Hall Jacobean Mansion. A couple of miles later you’ll reach Hurleston Junction, where the Shropshire Union Canal meets the Llangollen Canal. Continue north for another two miles. When you reach Barbridge Junction, home of the canalside Olde Barbridge Inn, turn the boat around to return to Autherley.

The Black Country Ring (75 miles, 79 locks, 43 hours)

*Please note this route is not currently open due to a canal closure on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal at Penkridge.

Follow the route to Fradley and transfer onto the Coventry Canal, which leads to the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal.  From there it’s a lock-free journey through the countryside, encountering a series of villages including Hopwas, home of the Tame Otter pub.

Next you’ll reach Fazeley Junction. Turn right here, travelling towards central Birmingham. Between Fazeley Junction and Drayton Basset you can moor up between Tolson’s Footbridge and Coleshill Road Bridge to visit Drayton Manor Theme Park. Approaching central Birmingham, you’ll encounter the flight of 11 locks at Curdworth, followed by a short tunnel (57 yards).

Your next turning is at Salford Junction, left under Bridge 110, leading to 11 locks at Aston. You’ll need a T-shaped ‘anti-vandal’ key to unlock the lock gates. Turn right at the Aston Junction where you’ll meet a flight of 13 locks at Farmers Bridge. This takes you right into the centre of Birmingham to Cambrian Wharf, which is within walking distance of Brindleyplace and city centre attractions.

Next, the New Main Line then takes you north through 3 locks and the 103 yard Summit Tunnel. At Tipton Green there are 3 locks and a pub.  Then you’ll reach the 360-yard long Coseley Tunnel. A lock-free section then winds its way straight into Wolverhampton. There are visitor’s moorings just before the first of 21 lock Wolverhampton flight. Next you’ll cruise to meet the Staffordshire & Worcester Canal at Aldersley Junction. Turn right here and very soon you’ll be back at Autherley Junction.

10 or 11-night destinations from Autherley

The Stourport Ring (85 miles, 118 locks, 52 hours)

Follow the 7-night route to Stourport and then take the staircase locks from Stourport Clock Basin down onto the River Severn. Turn left and you’ll go through the village of Upton-upon-Severn, home of the White Lion Hotel historic coaching inn. When you reach Worcester, you’ll pass the stunning riverside Cathedral and then turn left at Diglis.  Here you can take time to explore Diglis Basin and visit the Fish Pass with an underwater viewing gallery on Diglis Island.

Next go through a swing-bridge and two locks, and then on to the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. There are 8 locks through Worcester, then a flight of 6 locks at Offerton.  You’ll then go through the 230-yard long Dunhampstead Tunnel. There are 5 more locks at Astwood before you arrive at Stoke Prior. Next it’s the 6-lock Stoke flight and after that you can rest at The Queen’s Head at Stoke Pound, before tackling the mighty Tardebigge flight of 30 locks.  There are beautiful views of the Worcestershire countryside to enjoy at you go through the locks.

After Tardebigge Wharf the canal is lock-free all the way into Birmingham. But you’ll go through a series of tunnels, including the 2,493-metre long Wast Hills Tunnel, one of the longest in the country. You’ll pass King’s Norton Junction, where the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal meets the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. And Bournville, home of Cadbury World.

At Gas Street Basin you can moor up to explore city centre attraction, including the National Sealife Centre at Brindleyplace. Next, follow the Birmingham Main Line out of the city centre to Wolverhampton and go through the 21-lock Wolverhampton Flight. Straight after the last of these locks you’ll reconnect with the Staffordshire & Worcester Canal and you’ll soon be back at Autherley.

Chester and back (114 miles, 80 locks, 57 hours)

Follow the 7-night route to Barbridge Junction and continue north. You’ll go through two high-rise staircase locks at Bunbury, then 4 spread-out locks through the village of Beeston, home of the canalside Shady Oak pub.  You can moor up to visit English Heritage’s Beeston Castle & Woodland Park. Continuing on through the Cheshire countryside, you’ll pass through Waverton, site of the Battle of Rowton Moor. Then you’ll reach the village of Christleton, with its Cheshire Cat canalside pub.

Next the canal descends through five locks into the centre of Chester.  You can turn your boat in the winding hole close to Chester Cathedral (between Bridges 123D and 123E). Then moor up to explore the city, including its Roman City Walls.

14-night destinations from Autherley

The Four Counties Ring (110 miles, 94 locks, 60 hours)

*Please note this route is not currently open due to a canal closure on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal at Penkridge.

Follow the 7-night route to Barbridge Junction and turn left and continue along the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal. The Badger Inn is a 10 minute walk from the canal at Church Minshull. At the end of the Middlewich Branch is the ancient town of Middlewich, famous for its salt industry. Turn right at the junction turn and head south along the Trent & Mersey Canal.  The canal climbs 4 locks before Wheelock, home of the Cheshire Cheese Inn.

The George Inn at Sandback is a one-mile walk from Wheelock. Continuing on, there are 23 locks between Wheelock and Hardings Wood Junction. South of Hardings Woods lies the 1.66 mile long Harecastle Tunnel, which has set opening hours. Information is listed on the Canal & River Trust website. Soon you’ll reach Stoke-on-Trent, famous for its ‘potteries’. Continuing south, at Barlaston you’ll find the canalside Plume of Feathers pub. Soon after you’ll reach the historic market town of Stone, with a choice of places to eat and shop. South of Stone lies the Trent Valley which runs through woodland and meadows.

At Great Haywood Junction turn right onto the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal. You’ll soon arrive at ‘Tixall Wide’ lake.  Then you’ll go through the historic market town of Penkridge, with shops, markets, cafés, take-aways and pubs, including the Littleton Arms. Further along at Gailey Wharf with its toll-keeper’s watch tower, you’ll find the Spread Eagle pub in the village. Next you pass the disused Hatherton Branch and after Cross Green you’ll be back at Autherley Junction.

Llangollen and back (170 miles, 100 locks, 92 hours)

*Please note this route is not currently available due a breach on the Llangollen Canal at Whitchurch.

Follow the 7-night route almost to Barbridge, but at Hurleston Junction turn onto the Llangollen Canal. From there 4 locks rise upwards and the canal passes Swanley Bridge Marina and 5 further locks before you reach Wrenbury. At Wrenbury, you’ll find the canalside Dusty Miller pub and a mechanical lift bridge operated by a key (provided).

Between Wrenbury and Grindley Brook there are 7 locks. You’ll find Canal & River Trust lock keepers helping at the Grindley Brook 3-lock staircase. At Whitchurch, you can moor up and take the 25 minute walk into this historic market town, famous for its clock-making and award-winning Black Bear pub.

Cruise on, entering the beautiful Shropshire Lake District, with a series of Meres (lakes) to see and visit along the way.  There’s a short tunnel to go through just before the historic market town of Ellesmere. Turn right to moor up and visit the town, with its Mere and Boathouse restaurant.  Continue on towards Llangollen and you’ll pass the entrance to the Montgomery Canal at Frankton Junction.

At Chirk you’ll find a choice of pubs, including the Bridge Inn. And the National Trust’s Chirk Castle is a 30-minute walk away. You’ll now be cruising along the 11-mile section of the Llangollen Canal designated a World Heritage site. You’ll go through Chirk Tunnel and then the magnificent Chirk Aqueduct. Next you’ll reach Whitehouse Tunnel (191 yards) and then the famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, carrying the canal 38 metres high above the River Dee.

When you reach Trevor, take a sharp left-hand turn under a bridge to continue towards Llangollen. This next part of the waterway becomes very narrow and at times is only wide enough for one boat, so you’ll need to send a crew member ahead to check for oncoming traffic. At Llangollen Basin you can moor up to visit this pretty traditional Welsh town, with the River Dee running through the centre.