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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; and
• 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