Short Break Route Suggestions (3 & 4 nights):
Relaxed route: Worcester and Return – 24 miles, 10 locks, 10 hours total
Start your journey exiting the marina and joining onto the River Severn heading south. Cruise a short way to the pretty Lincomb Lock and continue past the small village at Hampton Ferry with its riverside pub. Enjoy the beautiful countryside views passing by Lower Astley Wood and Shrawley Wood and pass by another riverside pub on the way to Holt Lock. Continue cruising past Holt Castle and on to the attractive Bevere Lock, after which there is a traditional country pub to stop at if in need of refreshment. Follow the River Severn on the approach into Worcester, passing by the impressive Worcester Cathedral. Moor up in Diglis Basin to visit the city, take some time to explore the various museums, the cathedral and enjoy an evening meal in one of the many eateries on offer. Exit Diglis basin and begin your journey back to Stourport.
Intermediate route: Upton-upon-Severn and Return – 44 miles, 8 locks, 14.5 hours total
For an extended short break route, why not continue your journey down the River Severn, south of Worcester. Follow the relaxed route to Worcester (above) and then moor-up after the bridge at Upton-upon-Severn. This delightful town is home to many beautiful Georgian buildings, quaint shops and old timbered structures. Take time to visit some of the attractions such as the Tudor House Museum or the Pepperpot and make the most of the variety of pubs and restaurants there. Turn and return to Stourport Marina.
Intermediate route: Stourton Junction and Return – 24 miles, 22 locks, 14.5 hours total
Head north out of Stourport Basin through York Street Lock and onto the scenic Staffordshire & Worcester Canal. Soon you pass Weaver Wharf, a modern shopping centre housed in an impressive Victorian Mill & Warehouse. There are then just two locks before you arrive in Kidderminster, where you’ll pass right under a busy roundabout to be met by a lovely church with a turquoise clock-face. At Wolverley Lock there is a café and a pub, then at Cookley you pass through a short tunnel. Above the tunnel lies Cookley Village which has some pubs and shops. Along this canal you’ll find several natural sandstone structures, which are rather picturesque. After another lock you arrive at moorings for the pretty town of Kinver, which has shops, cafés and a couple of pubs. Situated just outside the town there are also some sandstone caves which were used as dwellings until 1935. After mooring at Kinver there are just a few more locks and another short tunnel before you pass Stewponey Wharf and arrive at Stourton Junction. Turn here and return to Stourport.
Active route: The Droitwich Mini Ring – 38 miles, 45 locks, 22 hours total
A great option for a midweek break, using the recently reopened Droitwich Canals enabling boaters to complete a circular route rather than an out-and-back. Start your journey heading south from the marina, joining onto the River Severn. Cruise past Holt Fleet, where there are a couple of riverside pubs, continue on to Hawford Lock and navigate your way through, joining the Droitwich Canal. Pass through a pleasant wooded stretch and cruise through several locks at Ladywood. The canal soon enters Droitwich Spa; moorings are available in the town which is well worth a visit. There are numerous restaurants and bars to choose from for a meal out. Once you’ve explored the town, continue along the Droitwich Canal and through the locks at Hanbury Wharf. Cruise south at the junction and join the Worcester and Birmingham Canal. Make your way through the Dunhampstead Tunnel (230yds) and continue through the 6 locks at Offerton. The locks continue fairly frequently on the approach to Worcester. Moorings for the city can be found in Diglis Basin, take some time to explore the various museums, the cathedral and enjoy an evening meal in one of the many eateries on offer. Exit the basin and cruise through the locks joining on to the River Severn heading north, back past the entrance to the Droitwich Canal and continuing on past a couple of riverside pubs back to Stourport Marina.
Weekly Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: Autherley Junction and Return – 51 miles, 58 locks, 32 hours total
A great weekly route cruising one of the UK’s most attractive canals, with frequent locks and pubs and some beautiful scenery along the way. Depart the marina and join the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, cruise through the lock and past several canalside pubs. Continue through quiet countryside and through two locks before entering the town of Kidderminster. Moor between bridges 15 & 16 or above Kidderminster Lock for the best access to the town. Cruise on, crossing over an aqueduct which passes over the River Stour below. The scenery becomes more rural, passing by a canalside pub and village at Wolverley. Continue through the small Cookley Tunnel of 65yds and follow the meander of the canal through Whittington and onto the pretty village of Kinver. Moor up along the towpath to explore the village and make the most of the amenities on offer, including a fish & chip shop, pubs and local stores. Cruise on from Kinver, taking in the picturesque countryside views and passing through the Dunsley Tunnel (25yds). Continue past Stourton Junction and over a small aqueduct, cruising past the villages of Swindon and Wombourne before doing The Bratch staircase locks (3 locks) and continuing to Wightwick. Moor close to Bridge 56 to visit the National Trust’s Wightwick Manor or for a meal at the nearby canalside pub. Continue through the village of Compton, where there is a shopping centre, pub and restaurant. Cruise to Autherley Junction, where there is a winding hole just after the Bridge (No. 1) turning your boat there for the journey home.
Intermediate route: Evesham and Return – 106 miles, 30 locks, 36 hours total
Begin your journey from Stourport Marina, heading south on the River Severn. Continue cruising through the attractive Lincomb Lock and through lovely wooded countryside, passing a couple of riverside pubs on the way to Holt Lock. Cruise by Holt Castle and through the pretty Bevere Lock and follow the river on the way into Worcester, cruising past the Worcester Cathedral. Moor up at Diglis Basin if you wish to stop off and visit the city, with its numerous attractions and plenty of bars and restaurants. Pass through Diglis Lock and continue in a southerly direction, passing the village of Kempsy, with the tower of Kempsy Church visible from the river. Cruise on through the countryside until you reach the moorings for Upton-upon-Severn. This delightful town is home to many beautiful Georgian buildings and old timbered structures. Continue cruising to Tewkesbury, passing through Avon Lock, joining the River Avon (a licence needs to be purchased to cruise the Avon & can be purchased at the lock). Tewkesbury is a beautiful historic town, with half-timbered buildings, an Abbey and many historic pubs. Continue along the River Avon and through Pershore where there are moorings available close to the town and various pubs / shops. Cruise past the Abbey Manor House and follow the river through the countryside, past Wyre Piddle and the Anchor Inn, to Evesham. Use the visitor moorings near Workman Bridge to visit this historic town; then choose from a range of pubs, bars and restaurants for your evening meal. Turn at Evesham and return to Stourport.
Active route: Gas Street Basin (Birmingham) and Return – 68 miles, 80 locks, 40 hours total
Start your journey on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal heading through the town of Kidderminster. Continue through several locks to the junction at Stourton and join the Stourbridge Canal, passing through the Stourton Locks. Continue across the Wordsley Junction Bridge Aqueduct and tackle the 16 Stourbridge Locks, staying on the mainline of the canal through Brierley Hill. Pass by a canalside pub at Black Delph Bridge and cruise through the 8 Delph Locks and into Dudley. Continue to Park Head Junction and join the Dudley No.2 Canal and continue to Windmill End and the entrance to the Netherton Tunnel. Cruise through the 3027yd tunnel and continue on the Netherton Tunnel Branch to Dudley Port Junction and join the Birmingham Main Line. Follow the Birmingham Main Line to Old Turn (Deep Cuttings) Junction and join the Worcester & Birmingham Canal to Gas Street Basin. Moor in the basin to visit the city of Birmingham, take some time to explore some of the many attractions Birmingham has to offer, including Birmingham Sea Life Centre and Cadbury World, spend an afternoon shopping in the impressive Bullring shopping centre and sample some of the many restaurants, pubs and bars in the city centre. Turn at the basin to begin your journey back to Stourport.
Fortnight Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: The Stourport Ring – 85 miles, 118 locks, 51 hours total
We would recommend doing this route anti-clockwise so as to get the Tardebigge Flight done at the beginning of your journey. Exit the marina onto the River Severn and head south past Holt Fleet down to Diglis Junction. Moor up in Diglis Basin to visit the Cathedral City of Worcester. Join the Worcester & Birmingham Canal and climb steadily through the deep, narrow locks, enjoying the rural countryside on the way to the Tardebigge Flight of 30 locks. Make your way steadily through the flight, after which there is lock-free cruising through 3 long tunnels and to Gas Street Basin in central Birmingham. Gas Street Basin is close to the International Convention Centre, National Sealife Centre and Brindley Place. En route you'll also pass the pleasant University grounds, Botanical Gardens and Cadbury's World. Once you’ve finished exploring Birmingham, continue to Old Turn (Deep Cuttings) Junction and join the Birmingham Main Line, travel through the Coseley Tunnel of 360yds and make your way towards the Wolverhampton Flight. There are moorings and a pub before the first of the 21 locks, should you wish to stop off beforehand. After the lock, at Aldersley Junction join onto the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal for the journey back to the base at Stourport, taking in the picturesque scenery and cruising through the canalside towns and villages on the way.
Intermediate route: The Avon Ring – 133 miles, 137 locks, 67.5 hours total
This route is also achievable in 10/11 night breaks, but a fortnight will allow you to take your time and make the most of the many highlights along this ring. Start your journey heading south from the base on the River Severn, Continue along this pleasant stretch of river all the way to the historic City of Worcester, mooring at Diglis Basin to visit the city. Continue south from Diglis Junction on the River Severn, heading to the historic riverside town of Tewkesbury, with its medieval streets and Tudor-style timber buildings. Join the River Avon at Avon Lock, where you will be required to purchase a separate licence from the lock-keeper (approx £50). The river meanders its way through glorious, picturesque countryside and historic villages such as Pershore and Evesham before making its way to Stratford-upon-Avon. Moor at Bancroft Basin to visit this market town, with many attractions attributed to William Shakespeare, who was born in the town. From the basin take the entrance to the Stratford-on-Avon Canal and continue through a lock-heavy stretch of canal all the way to Wilmcote, moor close to Bridge 59 to visit Mary Arden’s House or the village pubs. Cruise across the Edstone Aqueduct and through the canalside villages to Lapworth Junction. Tackle the Lapworth Locks and cruise the remainder of the Stratford-on-Avon Canal, through the Guillotine Lock to King’s Norton Junction. At the junction head south, joining the Worcester& Birmingham Canal and prepare for the mighty Tardebigge Flight of 30 locks! Continue into the City of Worcester and at Diglis Junction rejoin the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal back to the basin at Stourport.
Active route: Chester and Return – 166 miles, 138 locks, 88 hours total
A brilliant option for a fortnightly break, encountering two of the UK’s most attractive canals- the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal and the Shropshire Union Canal. Start your journey heading north on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, passing through pleasant rural countryside on the way to the town of Kidderminster. Continue to Aldersley Junction and onto Autherley Junction to join onto the picturesque Shropshire Union Canal, cruise past several canalside pubs and villages, enjoying a nice lock-free stretch until you reach Market Drayton. This attractive market town is known for its black and white timber-framed buildings and claims to be the home of gingerbread. Continue on through the 5 locks at Adderley and through the Audlem lock flight of 15 before making your way past the town of Nantwich and Barbridge Junction and onto the Bunbury Locks.Continue to the village of Beeston, home to Beeston Castle. Situated on top of a steep hill, these impressive ruins date back to the 14th Century. To visit the castle, moor up by bridge 107, where there are also a couple of pubs within walking distance. Cruise on from Beeston through the picturesque Cheshire Plains heading towards the village of Christleton, here you’ll get your first glimpse of the city of Chester, where the towers and spires come into view. If you feel a little short on time, there are moorings at Christleton by Christleton Lock close to the park and ride service into Chester. Alternatively, continue cruising to Bridge 123D and moor close by for a short walk into Chester city centre. This Roman city has so much to explore, including its Roman walls, Chester Cathedral and Chester Zoo to name a few. Use the winding hole just after the bridge to turn your boat for the return journey back to the base at Stourport.
