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The Stratford-upon-Avon Canal

Completed in 1816, the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal (also known as the Stratford Canal) connects the River Avon at Stratford-upon-Avon with the Worcester & Birmingham Canal at Kings Norton Junction. It is 25 miles long and has 54 narrow locks.

The southern section of the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal runs from Bancroft Basin in the centre of Shakespeare’s Stratford up to the village of Lapworth.

The northern section has 19 locks running up from Lapworth, and then a 10-mile lock-free stretch to Kings Norton Junction, where it joins the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.

Striking Stratford-upon-Avon Canal features include

A guillotine-gated stop-lock at Kings Norton Junction
The 322-metre long Brandwood Tunnel close to Kings Norton Junction
The 145-metre long Edstone Aqueduct near Wilmcote, the longest cast iron trough aqueduct in England
Three smaller cast iron aqueducts, unusually all with towpaths at the level of the bottom of the canal
A number of barrel roofed lock cottages
A series of split bridges with gaps for the tow ropes of boat horses
Bancroft Basin next to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Straford-upon-Avon

Pubs and places to visit along the way include

The Wharf Inn at Hockley Heath
The National Trust’s Packwood House near Lapworth
The Boot Inn at Lapworth
The Fleur de Lys canalside pub at Lowsonford
Hill Farm Marina Café
The Mary Arden Inn at Wilmcote
The Royal Shakespeare Theatre at Stratford-upon-Avon
Shakespeare’s Birthplace at Stratford-upon-Avon

Canal boat hire on the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal

Drifters offers canal boat hire on the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal at Wootton Wawen, near Bromsgrove.

On a short break from there boaters can

Cruise south through the Warwickshire countryside to Shakespeare’s Stratford and back; or
Head north through the remains of the Forest of Arden to the village of Lapworth and transfer onto the Grand Union Canal to Hatton Locks

On week-long breaks, narrowboat hirers can

Navigate south to Shakespeare’s Stratford and then transfer onto the River Avon and cruise to Pershore and back
Or head north and travel round the Birmingham Mini Ring

On 10,11 or 14-night breaks boaters can reach

Tewkesbury on the River Avon
Worcester on the River Severn
Complete the Avon Ring; or
The Stourport Ring

Lots of advice for overseas visitors can be found at Great British Boating

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