Intermediate route: The Bratch and Return - 30 miles, 20 locks, 16 hours total
Head south-west along the Staffordshire & Worcester Canal towards Hatherton (pub) and Cross Green (pub) stopping at one or the other for dinner on your first evening. Continue along a lock-free section of the canal past Coven Heath, Autherley Junction and Aldersley Junction, all the way down to Compton, where you’ll find just one lock, a pub and some takeaway restaurants. Further south you’ll go through two locks before arriving at Wightwick, where you can moor up to visit Wightwick Manor & Gardens or sample the beer at the local pub, a short walk away. Just 3 more locks remain before you reach The Bratch – a scenic set of three staircase locks that raise the canal by over 30 feet. There is just one more lock to do before you pass Houndel Bridge (pub nearby) stopping just before Giggetty Bridge (No. 44) where you can turn around and return to Gailey.
Intermediate route: Great Haywood and Return - 25 miles, 24 locks, 15 hours total
Leave the wharf cruising north-east, navigating through a few locks and a small aqueduct leading to Penkridge, where you are joined by the little River Penk. There is a waterfront pub near the Cross Keys Bridge as you approach the market town. Stop off just above Penkridge Lock to explore the town, which holds a market every Wednesday and Saturday. Returning to your boat, cruise through the tree lined valley past Teddesley Park and over a small aqueduct. Mooring at Radford Bridge, you are approximately 1 1/2 miles from Stafford, there is a bus service by the bridge if you'd like to pick up some provisions. Continuing on, the canal bends to the south east as you follow the valley of the River Sow. At Milford you pass over the river on an aqueduct, an early structure by James Brindley. You can see Cannock Chase woodland and the outline of Tixall Gatehouse as you approach Tixall Wide, where the canal opens up to almost resemble a lake as you approach Great Haywood where there is a canalside pub. Turn around at Great Haywood Junction to start marking your return journey home.
Active route: Norbury Wharf and Return - 46 miles, 4 locks, 19.5 hours total
Cruise south-west from the boatyard, along a lock free stretch of the canal. Cruise through farmland and past the closed Hatherton Branch with its waterfront pub, towards Autherley Junction. Approaching the junction the landscape becomes more suburban for a couple of miles, but once you are through the stop lock at Autherley, you are surrounded by beautiful Shropshire countryside and woodland. Brewood is a historic village with interesting streets and a selection of eateries. Departing Brewood, continue cruising north on the Shropshire Union Canal, Belvide Reservoir flanks the canal to the left as you pass over Stretton Aqueduct. Moorings are available next to Wheaton Aston Bridge near the pub, if you need to stop off for some refreshment. Pass through a wooded cutting to Cowley Tunnel (81 yds) where there are two further waterfront pubs, making your approach to Norbury Junction which has a café and pub . You can turn around at Norbury Wharf to return to Gailey.
Relaxed Route: Fradley Junction and Return - 49 miles, 34 locks, 27 hours total
A very interesting route, encompassing several historic villages and towns. Start by heading east along the attractive Staffordshire & Worcester Canal towards the old market town of Penkridge. Moor up near Cross Keys Bridge on your first evening to enjoy a meal at the pub there; or a little further ahead is Penkridge itself and you may wish to cruise a bit further, through two locks, then walk in to have a look around and enjoy a choice of pubs, shops cafés and takeaways there. Continue east through woodland and farmland before mooring near Radford Bridge (No. 98) – from here you can take a local bus into the County town of Stafford, which is well worth a visit. You’ll find some lovely old architecture including the ‘Ancient High House’ which dates back to 1595 and picturesque Victoria Park with the River Sow running through it. From Radford Bridge cruise towards Great Haywood, crossing Tixall Wide en route - a lake-like part of the canal, created during construction in 1771. There are moorings at Great Haywood and some local shops and pubs in the village. You can also visit nearby Shugborough Hall (within walking distance), a wonderful stately home dating back to 1693 with fabulous grounds and gardens. At Great Haywood turn right, heading south down the Trent & Mersey Canal past Little Haywood and under the railway bridge there. Pass through lush countryside, under numerous bridges and over a small aqueduct on your approach to the bustling town of Rugeley, where you can moor up near Bridge 65 to eat at the pub or walk into the town centre along Armitage Road. Handsacre village is just an hour south of Rugeley and has yet another canalside pub for your enjoyment;after which you cruise through open countryside and farmland all the way to Fradley Junction. There is a shop, a café and a pub here; the pub (The Swan) is rather iconic on the canals and is affectionately called the ‘Mucky Duck’ by seasoned boaters. Turn you boat around at the junction and return to Gailey Wharf.
Intermediate route: Stourport and Return - 69 miles, 66 locks, 40 hours total
The Staffordshire and Worcester Canal is great choice for scenery, pubs and villages. Cruising south-west from the boatyard, there are no locks for the first few miles. Journey through farmland, past the closed Hatherton Branch and the waterfront pub at Cross Green Bridge. At Autherley Junction, continue cruising on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal passing Wolverhampton on the left as you cruise in a southerly direction. At Aldersley Junction branch off right to continue along the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, through one lock at Compton - there are also a couple of pubs within walking distance from Compton Bridge. Wightwick Manor & Gardens, once home to the Mander family but now owned by the National Trust, is just a short walk from Wightwick Bank. This impressive Manor House is worth exploration, with ornate glass stained windows, William Morris wallpaper and Pre-Raphaelite art. Returning to your boat, the canal now meanders through open farmland to The Bratch Locks, where there is a lock keeper who will show you how to operate the lock correctly. Passing through wooded countryside, there are a handful of pubs as you follow the winding course of the canal, alongside the River Stour. Pass Stourton Junction, continuing south through Dunsley Tunnel. The village of Kinver is within easy reach of the canal. Kinver is home to pretty cottages and rose gardens, old styled shops and a supermarket. Continue your southerly cruise through some locks and under Cookley Tunnel, then over a couple of small aqueducts. The turquoise clock face of St Mary's Church overlooks Kidderminster Lock, breaking through the wooded scenery. Kidderminster has a rich history in the textiles industry, to explore the town moor between bridge 15 and 16. The approach to Stourport and the River Severn takes you past smart developments with access to cafes and supermarkets nearby. The bustling Stourport Basins are overlooked by red bricked buildings and a clock tower, there are two sets of locks which take you onto the River Severn. Turn in one of the basins to start making your return journey to the Wharf.
Active route: The Black Country Ring - 75 miles, 79 locks, 42 hours total
One of the shortest cruising rings to complete over a 7 night break. Start your journey by heading east along the Staffordshire & Worcester Canal towards the town of Penkridge; maybe stopping there for your first evening (approx. 2hrs’ cruising). There are very few locks on the next stretch towards Stafford (within walking distance from Radford Bridge 98) and a little further on you arrive at Tixall Wide, which looks like a lake. Soon after Tixall Wide you come to Great Haywood Junction, which is very close to historic Shugborough Hall. Turn left at the junction, heading south over an aqueduct towards Rugeley, where there are shops and pubs within walking distance of the canal. Passing Armitage and the interesting ‘Spode House’ you soon reach Fradley Junction and the nearby Swan Inn pub. Here you turn onto the Coventry Canal, heading south towards Tamworth. Turn again at Fazeley Junction, finding Drayton Manor Adventure Park right next to the canal soon after. Now the hard work begins, as there are quite a few locks leading from here to central Birmingham. Make your way to Gas Street Basin in the centre of the city, which is close to The National Sealife Centre, the Ikon Gallery, Symphony Hall and the ICC (amongst various other attractions). Heading north from Gas Street up the New Birmingham Mainline canal, you eventually arrive at Wolverhampton and a flight of 21 locks; at the bottom of the flight you’ll meet the pretty Staffordshire & Worcester Canal once again, turning right and making your way back to Gailey Wharf.
Active route: Caldon Canal, Froghall and Return - 97 miles, 94 locks, 58 hours total
Leave the wharf cruising north-east, navigating through a few locks and over a small aqueduct to Penkridge - stop off just above Penkridge Lock to explore the town, which holds a market every Wednesday and Saturday. Returning to your boat, cruise through the tree lined valley past Teddesley Park and over a small aqueduct. Mooring at Radford Bridge, you are just 1.5 miles from Stafford and there is a bus service by the bridge if you'd like to pick up some provisions. Continuing on, the canal bends to the south east as you follow the valley of the River Sow. At Milford you pass over the river on an aqueduct, an early structure by James Brindley. You can see Cannock Chase woodland and the outline of Tixall Gatehouse as you approach Tixall Wide, where the canal opens up to almost resemble a lake as you approach Great Haywood on the Trent & Mersey Canal. The Shugborough Estate, owned by the National Trust, is approximately 1 mile away from Great Haywood. From Great Haywood, journey north following the weaving River Trent through the countryside. Pass the village of Weston on Trent which has a couple of pubs for refreshment, then through the water meadows of the Trent Valley to the pleasant town of Stone. After passing through the Stone locks you'll soon reach a further flight of four, climbing up through the valley to Stoke-on-Trent. Turning right (east) onto the Caldon Canal at the junction, you reach Etruria Staircase Locks, leaving the city behind. When the canal splits after Endon, follow the canal to the left through Hazelhurst Locks and then under the aqueduct to Cheddleton, where there is a waterfront pub for refreshment. The canal meets the River Churnet for about a mile before Consall Forge through densely wooded hillside, which remain s uninterrupted until you approach Froghall. The industrial works here break up the spectacular scenery. Moor before the tunnel - the tunnel is so low that most boats will not pass under, but you can turn your boat just before it, then make your journey back the boatyard.
Very Active route: The Four Counties Ring - 110 miles, 94 locks, 60 hours total
Start your journey by heading west along the Staffordshire & Worcester Canal towards Autherley Junction where you meet the scenic Shropshire Union Canal. Cruise through farmland and woodland, punctuated with villages, towns and pubs; passing the attractive towns of Brewood and Market Drayton (the home of Gingerbread) then the historic town of Nantwich, wth its timbered buildings. Parts of the ‘Shroppie' are quite narrow, with deep cuttings and high arched bridges. There are several locks leading past Adderley and Audley before you turn off onto the quiet Middlewich Branch. At the end of the branch you come to Middlewich, where you head down the Trent & Mersey Canal; making your way through the ‘Cheshire Locks' towards the long Harecastle Tunnel and the industrial history of 'The Potteries' at Stoke-on-Trent. There are just a few more locks as you travel down the Trent Valley past the canal town of Stone, before arriving at Great Haywood Junction where you turn onto the attractive Staffordshire & Worcs Canal one again. Drift past Tixall Wide, stopping to walk into Stafford, then Penkridge, before returning to Gailey Wharf. Best suited to a 10 or 11 night holiday if possible in case of unforseen delays.
