Short Break Route Suggestions (3 & 4 nights):
Relaxed route: Tewkesbury and Return - 26 miles, 4 locks, 10 hours total
Cruise west from the boatyard towards historic Tewkesbury. Parts of the medieval town date back to the 7th Century and in 1471 one of the deciding battles of the Wars of the Roses was fought there. Tewkesbury Abbey dates back to Norman times and there are numerous attractive Tudor half-timbered buildings. There are some historic pubs too, including the Royal Hop Pole Inn which featured in Charles Dickens’ Pickwick Papers and has a riverside garden. Local independent shops abound, including a bakery and a traditional butcher; plus there’s a twice-weekly market. Between Pershore and Tewkesbury there are smaller villages such as Eckington and Twyning which are accessible from the river (approx. 15 mins walk). There’s a tight bend along the river called the Swan’s neck, which must be navigated carefully, then just two locks and a swing-bridge to break up your journey mid-way. Very relaxing, with a great opportunity to spend time exploring. Turn at Tewkesbury and return.
Intermediate route: Bidford-on-Avon and Return - 39 miles, 16 locks, 16 hours total
Cruise east, under two arched stone bridges and through one lock before mooring near Pershore recreation grounds, for easy access to the town. Pershore is a picturesque Georgian market town with a variety of shops and some wonderful old pubs. The next lock is near Wyre Piddle (with waterside pub) then there’s another lock and pub at the pretty village of Fladbury, which has a tiny ferry crossing - using wires across the water (sound your horn!). The river meanders through open countryside until you reach Evesham. Moor up before Workman Bridge to walk into the town. Evesham is a mixture of old and new, with some modern shops and some fantastic historic sites, such as the Bell Tower (c. 1531) and 15th century Round House overlooking the Market Square. After just 4 more locks and a swing-bridge you arrive at Bidford-on-Avon with its lovely 15th century, 8-arched bridge (In 1644 Charles 1st broke the bridge down to cover his rear on a march from Worcester to Oxford, after which is was rebuilt). There are pubs, cafés and shops in the village, with mooring nearby. Turn here and return.
Intermediate route: Evesham, Tewkesbury and Return - 47 miles, 12 locks, 17.5 hours total
Cruise east under two arched stone bridges and through a wide lock. Moor near Pershore recreation grounds, for easy access to the town to buy provisions if required - Pershore is a picturesque Georgian market town with a variety of shops, an historic Abbey and some wonderful old pubs. The next lock is near Wyre Piddle (waterside pub) then there's another lock and pub at the pretty village of Fladbury, which has a tiny ferry crossing - using wires across the water (sound your horn!). The river meanders through woodland and countryside until you reach Evesham - moor up before Workman Bridge to walk into the town. Evesham is a mixture of old and new, with some modern shops and some fantastic historic sites, such as the Bell Tower (c. 1531) and 15th century Round House overlooking the Market Square. Turn around, bypassing Pershore and cruising towards the village of Twyning (waterside pub with moorings). Continue through just a few more locks, passing the sailing club and open farmland, to the outskirts of Tewkesbury where there is a large marina. Cruise past the marina and under historic King John's Bridge, mooring nearby (a very small charge applies for mooring). It is an easy walk into the lovely market town from here, to visit the Tudor-style timbered buildings, the Abbey, the many hidden alleyways that run between houses and streets, the shops, pubs and restaurants. Turn before the Avon Lock and return to the boatyard.
Active route: Stratford-upon-Avon and Return - 58 miles, 29 locks, 23 hours total
Follow our ‘intermediate’ route to Bidford-on-Avon (as above) continuing east towards Stratford-upon-Avon. After 3 locks you’ll find Binton Bridges where there are moorings. From here you can walk into lovely Welford-on-Avon village, which still has a maypole! There are 2 pubs and Tudor half-timbered cottages close to the church. There are 3 more locks before you arrive at the famous medieval town of Stratford-upon-Avon, including the deep ‘Colin P Witter’ lock which opens into the busy town centre waterway, right next to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. In the town there are numerous places of historic interest including Shakespeare’s Birthplace (1564) Harvard House (1596) and the amazing Guildhall (c. 1418) which is well worth seeing. There are plenty of other attractions too, such as shops, restaurants, gardens, the MAD Museum, the Butterfly Farm and sightseeing tours. Various visitors’ moorings are available near the town. Turn here and return.
Weekly Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: Stratford-upon-Avon, Tewkesbury and Return - 85 miles, 34 locks, 35 hours total
The best of both worlds and so much to see. First cruise to Shakespearian Stratford-upon-Avon, stopping to visit some of the fantastic attractions there, including museums, gardens, restaurants and shops. There are sightseeing tours and walks too, allowing you to experience some of the wonderful history of the town, such as Shakespeare’s Birthplace (1564) Harvard House (1596) and the amazing Guildhall (c. 1418). Next, cruise west to Medieval Tewkesbury with its Norman Abbey, timbered Tudor buildings, historic pubs and tantalizing alleyways (leading who knows where). Tewkesbury has lots of independent shops, cafés, restaurants and pubs – including the Royal Hop Pole Inn which featured in Charles Dickens’ Pickwick Papers. Between the two towns are quintessentially English country villages and towns such as Welford-on-Avon (which has a maypole) Bidford-on-Avon with its glorious 8-arch bridge; Historic Evesham which offers old & new, with shops, cafés and restaurants, plus a Tudor Bell Tower (c. 1531) and 15th century Round House overlooking the Market Square; Wyre Piddle and its charming canalside pub and Pershore with its ornate Georgian balconies and historic ‘Old Bridge’ which spans the canal. The river itself is bordered by woodland, farmland and countryside, interspersed with canalside pubs and distant church spires. The locks are spread out, each with an adjacent weir to allow for water movement. This route has so much character and makes for a very memorable holiday.
Intermediate route: Stratford-upon-Avon, Tewkesbury, Upton and Return - 97 miles, 36 locks, 38 hours total
Follow our ‘relaxed’ weekly route to Stratford-upon-Avon then to Tewkesbury, as shown above, then continue through the Avon Lock at Tewkesbury, which is worked by a lock-keeper, on to the wide River Severn. Head north, under Mythe Bridge (built by Thomas Telford 1828) bypassing isolated fields, farms and the occasional riverside cottage. Cruising along the Severn often feels quite solitary as it’s so wide compared to the canal, although you might happen upon the freight barges ‘Pike, Perch and Chub’ as they take their load downstream to Ryall Wharf. The next bridge you pass under carries the busy M50 - in noticeable contrast to the quiet waterway you’re travelling upon. After two hours a domed church tower appears, marking the location of the lovely town of Upton-upon-Severn. As you round the next bend you’ll see a bridge, with attractive waterfront cottages and pubs in front of it. There are visitors’ moorings before the bridge with steps up to the town. Upton-upon-Severn’s church tower is known as the ‘Pepperpot’ and is all that remains of the former church. Nearby is the site of the Battle of Upton between Royalists and Roundheads. There are three pubs in the centre and a handful of restaurants, cafés and shops. One such shop is a traditional family bakery (c. 1940) which is very popular indeed and there’s even a ‘pudding shop’. The whole town is very pretty, with a mix of half-timbered and Georgian buildings to admire. Each year a variety of festivals take place here too, including the Jazz, Folk, Blues and Water Festivals. Turn here, returning to Tewkesbury then back to the boatyard.
Active route: Stratford-upon-Avon, Tewkesbury, Worcester and Return - 119 miles, 38 locks, 44 hours total
Follow the ‘intermediate’ weekly route to Stratford-upon-Avon, Tewkesbury and Upon-upon-Severn, as above, continuing north on the River Severn to the historic City of Worcester. Worcester’s medieval Cathedral (c. 1084) sits on the banks of the River Severn and houses the tombs of King John and Arthur Tudor (Prince of Wales). The city itself is steeped in English heritage with many places worth visiting, including The Commandery, the Museum of Royal Worcester (porcelain) and the Tudor House Museum. The Battle of Worcester took place here in 1651, which was the final battle of the English Civil War between the Royalists and the Roundheads. There are also plenty of shops & large shopping centres, pubs, restaurants and cafés to discover, particularly around Friar Street and New Street; as well as sweeping parks, lovely gardens and lots of guided walks. One of Worcester's most famous products ‘Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce’ has been made and bottled at the Midland Road factory since 1897. Worcester also has a racecourse which sits close to the River Severn, if you fancy having a ‘flutter’. Various markets take place in Angel Place throughout the year too, if you’re looking for a bargain. A fantastic city to visit with lots to offer. Turn here and return to the boatyard.
Fortnight Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: The Avon Ring - 109 miles, 131 locks, 62 hours total
Half relaxed, half active – a lovely ring with plenty to see and do. Head east on the River to Stratford-upon-Avon, past Pershore, Evesham and Bidford-on-Avon. At Stratford-upon-Avon (birthplace of Shakespeare) the river changes to canal and heading north from the town you’ll find a string of 17 locks (5 to start with, one in the middle, then a flight of 11) which lead to Wilmcote, where you’ll find Mary Arden’s House. Between here and the village of Wootton Wawen you cross over the Edstone Aqueduct (200 yards). The peaceful canal then leads past a couple of hamlets (with pubs) and through more locks before arriving at Lapworth Junction (with the Grand Union Canal). Continue on a northerly course (to the left) negotiating the narrow ‘Lapworth Flight’, then passing through Brandwood Tunnel (352yd) and an interesting ‘guillotine lock’ before arriving at King’s Norton Junction. Turn left along the Worcester & Birmingham Canal and head west towards Worcester. After the long Wast Hills Tunnel (2726 yards) you’ll arrival at Alvechurch which has a canalside pub; this is followed by the Shortwood Tunnel (613 yards) then the Tardebigge Tunnel (580 yards). The notorious 30-lock ‘Tardebigge Flight’ begins soon afterwards, flowing downhill through pretty Worcestershire countryside and leaving you to wonder when it will end - it ends at Stoke Prior where, thankfully, there’s a pub. There are 5 locks at Astwood, then a lock-free stretch all the way down to Offerton after which more locks lead into Worcester. Worcester is a fabulous city to visit with shops, parks, the Cathedral, racecourse, museums, markets, pubs and restaurants. Moor up near The Commandery if possible, to allow you easy access to the City. At Diglis Junction turn left on to the wide River Severn and south to the lovely riverside town of Upton-on-Severn – there are moorings near the bridge. Continue south along the quiet river, surrounded by farmland and trees, through the Avon Lock (with lock-keeper) to the historic town of Tewkesbury. Here there are numerous attractive Tudor timbered buildings, shops, pubs and museums. Visit the ancient Norman Abbey and the site of one of the last battles of the War of the Roses (c. 1471) at ‘Bloody Meadow’. From Tewkesbury head east along the peaceful River Avon once more and back to the boatyard.
Intermediate route: Tewkesbury and the Stourport Ring - 143 miles, 126 locks, 70 hours total
Cruise west along the River Avon to the historic town of Tewkesbury - there are numerous attractive Tudor timbered buildings, shops, pubs and museums. Visit the ancient Norman Abbey and the site of one of the last battles of the War of the Roses (c. 1471) at ‘Bloody Meadow’. Pass through the Avon Lock and onto the wide River Severn, heading north to Worcester – passing pretty Upton-upon-Severn en route. At Worcester, turn right at Diglis Junction on to the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. Moor near The Commandery for easy access to this fabulous City. After Stoke Prior you meet the 30-lock ‘Tardebigge Flight’ which will certainly keep you busy for a while. After the last lock you pass through 3 tunnels, including the long Wast Hills Tunnel (2726 yards) with the village of Alvechurch (with pub) in between. Pass King’s Norton Junction to your right and head along the lock-free canal past Cadbury’s World and into to the very centre of Birmingham, at Gas Street Basin, where you can visit the National Sealife Centre, the ICC, Symphony Hall and Brindley Place. Taking the Birmingham Main Line Canal, head north to Wolverhampton and through the 21 locks thereafter (an anti-vandal key is required). After the 21st lock you reach the lush green Staffordshire & Worcester Canal where you turn left towards the Bratch (staircase locks) Kinver, Kidderminster and eventually Stourport-on Severn. The Staffordshire & Worcester Canal is a very well-maintained, picturesque canal - there are plenty of villages with canalside pubs, a few locks scattered here and there, colourful sandstone rock formations and pretty cottages with neat gardens. Kinver is a lovely village to stop off at and (in contrast) at one point you pass right under a busy roundabout in central Kidderminster. At Stourport, moor at one of the historic ‘basins’ and walk into the town where there are various shops, pubs and restaurants. From Stourport ‘Clock Basin’ the locks lead down onto the River Severn once again….cruise south past Worcester and Upton-upon-Severn to Tewkesbury, then return to the boatyard.
Active Route: The Avon Ring, Warwick & Return - 127 miles, 177 locks, 73 hours total
Follow our ‘relaxed’ 14 night Avon Ring route, making a detour to Warwick. Head east, past Pershore, Evesham and Bidford-on-Avon to ‘Shakespeare’s Birthplace’ Stratford-upon-Avon where there is plenty to see and do. Cruise north from here, through numerous locks, to Lapworth Junction (also known as Kingswood Junction) and turn right on to the Grand Union Canal. Heading south and through Shrewley Tunnel (433 yards) you arrive at the 21-lock Hatton Flight which leads downhill towards Warwick. Warwick has one of the most famous medieval castles in the UK (founded by William the Conqueror) which is worth visiting if you have time to do so: https://www.warwick-castle.com/
There are other attraction in the town too, such as Lord Leicester Hospital (c. 1571) and the 12th century St. John’s House Museum. There are gift shops, antiques centres, traditional tea shops, restaurants, galleries, bars and pubs in the town centre too – Smith Street is of particular interest. Turn around at Warwick and return to Lapworth Junction; turning left then right, along the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal again and towards King’s Norton Junction. Continue with the Avon Ring Route, as before.
