Canal Boat Holiday Destinations from Wootton Wawen
From our Wootton Wawen narrow boat hire base, on the Stratford Canal in Warwickshire, you can reach Shakespeare’s Stratford on a short break. On a week-long break you can travel to Warwick or into the heart of Birmingham, where there are more canals than Venice.
The 25-mile-long Stratford Canal (also known as the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal) connects Stratford-upon-Avon with the Worcester & Birmingham Canal at Kings Norton Junction. It has 54 narrow locks.
3-night destinations from Wootton Wawen
Stratford-upon-Avon and back (14 miles, 34 locks, 11 hours)
Head south along the Stratford Canal straight over a road on a cast iron aqueduct. You’ll soon pass Hill Farm Marina with The View restaurant. Next you’ll go through Bearley Lock and soon after, you’ll cross the 200-yard-long Edstone Aqueduct with views of the Warwickshire countryside all around. Stretching 146 metres and formed of 35 separate sections bolted together, Edstone Aqueduct is one of the earliest pre-fabricated structures.
When you reach the top of the Wilmcote flight, you can moor up and walk into the village of Wilmcote, home of the Mary Arden Inn. Between here and Stratford-upon-Avon there are 17 locks taking you down to Bancroft Basin in the centre of Shakespeare’s Stratford. Moor up and explore this world-famous town’s many attractions, including the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Shakespeare’s Birthplace. Turn the boat around in the basin and return to Wootton Wawen.
Hatton and back (21 miles, 34 locks, 14 hours)
Head north along the Stratford Canal through quiet wooded countryside. There are 5 locks to go through at Preston Bagot. And another 3 before you reach the village of Lowsonford, home of the canalside Fleur de Lys pub.
When you reach the Lapworth Junction, turn right onto the Lapworth Link to connect to the Grand Union Canal at Kingswood Junction. You’ll soon pass the canalside Tom o’ the Wood pub at Rowington and then you’ll go through the 443-yard-long Shrewley Tunnel. Turn the boat around just before St John’s Bridge. From there, you can walk to see the Hatton Flight and visit the Hatton Arms pub or Hatton Locks café. Return to Wootton Wawen.
4-night destinations from Wootton Wawen
Bidford-on-Avon and back (33 miles, 48 locks, 19.5 hours)
NB to complete this route you will need to purchase an additional licence to cruise onto the River Avon Navigations. This can be purchased at the basin in Stratford or the tourist office.
take the same the 3-night route to Stratford-upon-Avon and from Bancroft Basin you can cruise onto the River Avon. Cruise for a couple of miles through tranquil Warwickshire countryside. At the village of Welford-on-Avon, known for its timber-framed cottages, there’s a riverside pub called the Four Alls. Continue meandering along to Bidford-on-Avon, with its medieval bridge and plenty of pubs, including the Bulls Head. Return to Wootton Wawen.
7-night destinations from Wootton Wawen
The Birmingham Mini Ring (48 miles, 84 locks, 33 hours)
Follow the 3-night route to Hatton up to the point where you reach the Grand Union Canal. Instead of turning right to head south along the Grand Union Canal, turn left and head north. Enjoy a quiet stretch of canal, passing the King’s Arms pub at Heronfield. Next you’ll go through the Knowle flight of 5 locks. You’ll soon enter the outskirts of Birmingham, passing the Boat Inn at Catherine de Barnes and through Solihull.
Go down the Camp Hill locks and then you’ll reach Bordesley Junction. You’ll pass Typhoo Basin and then you’ll go through Ashsted Locks before reaching Aston Junction. Turn onto the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal and go through Farmer’s Bridge Locks. At Farmer’s Bridge Junction, turn into Gas Street Basin. From there you can walk to Brindleyplace and visit city centre attractions, including the Sea Life Centre and Mailbox shopping centre.
From Gas Street Basin, head out onto the Worcester & Birmingham Canal and cruise through Edgbaston. You’ll pass through the 105-yard-long Edgbaston Tunnel. Soon after you’ll pass Bournville and Cadbury World. Then you’ll arrive at Kings Norton Junction where you can transfer back onto the Stratford Canal. You’ll go through the 352-yard-long Brandwood Tunnel (352 yds) and then you’ll pass through Hockley Heath, with its canalside Wharf Inn. You’ll go through the Lapworth Locks and then at Lapworth Junction you can continue heading south back down to Wootton Wawen.
Warwick and back (28 miles, 76 locks, 23 hours)
Follow the 3-night route to Hatton and make your way through the 21 locks of the Hatton Flight. When you reach Warwick, moor up at the Cape of Good Hope pub and from there you can explore the many museums and historic attractions, including Warwick Castle. You can turn your boat around above the lock next to the pub and return to Wootton Wawen.
10 or 11-night destinations from Wootton Wawen
Tewkesbury and back (99 miles, 68 locks, 45 hours)
NB to complete this route you will need to purchase an additional licence to cruise onto the River Avon Navigations. This can be purchased at the basin in Stratford or the tourist office.
Follow the 4-night route to Bidford-on-Avon and continue cruising along the River Avon. When you arrive at Evesham, moor up near Workman Gardens and Abbey Park to take a short walk into this historic market town. Cruise on past Abbey Manor House then the village of Fladbury with a choice pubs, including the Chequers Inn. Then at Wyre Piddle you’ll find the Anchor Inn. When you reach Pershore, moor up to explore this Georgian market town, including its magnificent Abbey. Continue cruising west, past the Fleet Inn at Twyning Green and then pass under the medieval King John’s Bridge, into the historic town of Tewkesbury. There you can explore Tewkesbury’s half-timbered buildings, hidden alleyways, local shops and historic Abbey. Turn just before the Avon Lock and return to Wootton Wawen.
Worcester and back (132 miles, 76 locks, 56 hours)
NB to complete this route you will need to purchase an additional licence to cruise onto the River Avon Navigations. This can be purchased at the basin in Stratford or the tourist office.
Follow the route to Tewskesbury and transfer onto the River Severn. Cruise north past Upton-on-Severn and through a deep lock before arriving at the junction of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. Find a mooring by Diglis Lock and walk into explore the ancient City of Worcester, including its famous cathedral. Return to Wootton Wawen.
14-night destinations from Wootton Wawen
The Avon Ring (109 miles, 131 locks, 61 hours)
NB to complete this route you will need to purchase an additional licence to cruise onto the River Avon Navigations.
Head north up the Stratford Canal through quiet wooded countryside. There are 5 locks to go through at Preston Bagot. And another 3 before you reach the village of Lowsonford, home of the canalside Fleur de Lys pub. At Lapworth Junction continue heading north up the Stratford Canal. Go through the Lapworth flight and through Brandwood Tunnel.
At Kings Norton Junction, turn left and head south along the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. This stretch takes you through the 2,726-yard-long Wast Hills Tunnel and through 2 slightly shorter tunnels. Then you’ll reach the top lock of the Tardebigge flight of 30 locks. You can break up the journey through the locks at the Queens Head pub at Stoke Wharf. Follow the canal south through a wooded cutting to Diglis Basin at Worcester. From there, you can explore the ancient City of Worcester, including its magnificent cathedral.
Cruise to Hawford Junction and join the River Severn heading south. You will pass Upton-on-Severn before reaching Tewkesbury, where you’ll transfer onto the River Avon. You’ll pass under the medieval St John’s Bridge and continue cruising along the River Avon. Then you will pass the Fleet Inn at Twyning Green. When you reach Pershore, moor up to explore this Georgian market town, including its magnificent Abbey. At Wyre Piddle you’ll find the Anchor Inn and at Fladbury, the Chequers Inn. When you arrive at Evesham, moor up near Workman Gardens and Abbey Park to take a short walk into this historic market town.
Next you’ll reach Bidford-on-Avon, with its medieval bridge and plenty of pubs, including the Bulls Head. At the village of Welford-on-Avon, known for its timber-framed cottages, there’s a riverside pub called the Four Alls.
The River meets the Stratford Canal at Bancroft Basin in Stratford-upon-Avon. You can moor up to explore Shakespeare’s Stratford, including the Swan Theatre and Shakespeare’s Birthplace. Next head north up the Stratford Canal through the 11-lock Widcombe Flight, passing close to the village of Wilmcote, home of the Mary Arden Inn. Cruise across the Edstone Aqueduct and return to Wootton Wawen.
The Stourport Ring (122 miles, 192 locks, 80.5 hours)
Follow the Avon Ring route to Hawford Junction and the River Severn, but head north. Cruise to Stourport-on-Severn where you’ll join the picturesque Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal. You can moor up to explore Stourport, once a busy inland port, and dine at the Bird in Hand or Rising Sun Inn.
Continue on, passing through the historic town of Kidderminster, where you’ll find several canalside pubs, including the Lock Inn. You’ll then pass through peaceful countryside before reaching Aldersley Junction, where you join the Birmingham Main Line. Now you’ll need to tackle the Wolverhampton Flight of 21 locks.
Continue along this stretch to Old Turn Junction then re-join the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. You can moor at Gas Street Basin to explore Birmingham city centre, including Brindleyplace with its Sea Life Centre and waterside dining. Cruise south down to King’s Norton Junction where you turn left back onto the Stratford Canal to Lapworth Junction and back down to Wootton Wawen.
