Short Break Route Suggestions (3 & 4 nights):
Relaxed route: Wootton Wawen, Stratford-upon-Avon and Return – 14 miles, 32 locks, 10 hours total
A great option for boaters who like a lot of locks! Start your journey heading north from the basin along the Stratford-on-Avon Canal. Cruise through the Wilmcote Locks, consisting of 11 in total. Continue on to the small, attractive village of Wilmcote, moor at bridge 59 to walk into the village to visit Mary Arden’s House or one of the village pubs. Follow the canal through quiet countryside and across the Edstone Aqueduct of almost 200yds. Continue on through the Bearley Lock and on to the village of Wootton Wawen. The pretty, scattered village is overlooked by the historic St Peter’s Church, part of the Saxon Sanctuary. Turn at the winding hole just past bridge 53 and cruise south on the Stratford-on- Avon Canal and past the boatyard. Continue on through several locks and moor in Bancroft Basin. Take a walk into Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, and discover all that this historic market town has to offer. Visit some of the attractions including Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, before turning your boat at the basin for the short journey to the boatyard.
Intermediate route: Evesham and Return – 37 miles, 26 locks, 17 hours total
Please note: to complete this route you will need to purchase an additional licence (which is approximately £50 for up to 7 days) to cruise onto the River Avon Navigations. This can be purchased at the basin in Stratford or the tourist office. Begin your journey by cruising south to Stratford-upon-Avon and then once in Bancroft Basin you can explore the town before cruising onto the River Avon. Cruise for a couple of miles through tranquil Warwickshire countryside, leaving the red brick of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. The River loops over the quaint village of Welford-on-Avon, there are moorings next to the Binton Bridges and a waterfront pub. Continue cruising past open fields to Bidford-on-Avon where there are plenty of pubs, shops and takeaways. Follow the river through several locks and past several waterside eateries until you enter the Vale of Evesham. There are moorings available past Workman Gardens and Abbey Park. Take a short walk into the historic market town of Evesham and visit attractions such as the remains of the Benedictine Abbey, dating back to AD714 and the 14th Century Almonry Museum and Heritage Centre. There is a great selection of restaurants and pubs to choose from before starting the journey back to base. .
Active route: Hatton and Return – 35 miles, 60 locks, 23 hours total
A great option for an active midweek break with lots of locks to keep the crew busy. Start your journey heading north from the basin along the Stratford-on-Avon Canal. Cruise through the Wilmcote Locks, consisting of 11 in total. Continue on to the small, attractive village of Wilmcote, moor at bridge 59 to walk into the village to visit Mary Arden’s House or one of the village pubs. Follow the canal through quiet countryside and across the Edstone Aqueduct of almost 200yds and on to the village of Wootton Wawen. There is a pub just a short walk from the first lock as you climb north through the five locks at Preston Bagot. There is a consistent amount of locks as the canal meanders through rural Warwickshire past Lowsonford, where there is another pub if you are in need of refreshment before you reach the Lapworth Link, joining onto the Grand Union Canal. Cruise east and then south onto the Grand Union Canal towards Warwick through steeply wooded hills through Shrewley Tunnel (443yds) and turn the boat around just before St John's Bridge. Take a walk to see the famous Hatton Flight (approx a mile away) before starting your return journey.
Weekly Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick and Return – 41 miles, 108 locks, 33 hours total
Depart the boatyard and cruise south down the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal through several locks and moor in Bancroft Basin. Take a walk into Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, and discover all that this historic market town has to offer. Visit some of the attractions including Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Turn around in the basin to make your way back up the Stratford-on-Avon canal. Cruise past the small villages of Wilmcote and Wotton Wawen up to the Lapworth Link to join the Grand Union Canal. Follow the signs east towards the Hatton Flight and Warwick. Passing Turner's Green to Shrewley Tunnel (433 yds) you are surrounded by hill landscapes which widen on the eastern side. Take a deep breath and start making your way through the Hatton Flight, which consists of 21 locks. Once on the other side, you can either moor on the Saltisford Arm and walk into Warwick or follow the canal north above Warwick and moor near footbridge 48 or 49. Highlights of Warwick include Warwick Castle, Collegiate Church of St Mary's, the Lord Leycester Hospital and the Market Hall Museum. Use the winding hole at the Saltisford Arm or just past bridge 44 to turn the boat and start the journey back to the boatyard.
Intermediate route: Upton-upon-Severn and Return – 98 miles, 42 locks, 39 hours total
Please note: to complete this route you will need to purchase an additional licence (which is approximately £50 for up to 7 days) to cruise onto the River Avon Navigations. This can be purchased at the basin in Stratford or the tourist office. Begin your journey by cruising south to Stratford-upon-Avon and then once in Bancroft Basin you can explore the town before cruising onto the River Avon. Cruise for a couple of miles through tranquil Warwickshire countryside, leaving the red brick of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. The River loops over the quaint village of Welford-on-Avon, there are moorings next to the Binton Bridges and a waterfront pub. Continue cruising past open fields to Bidford-on-Avon where there are plenty of pubs, shops and takeaways. Follow the river through several locks and past several waterside eateries until you enter the Vale of Evesham. Moor up past Workman Gardens and Abbey Park to take a short walk into the historic market town of Evesham to visit various attractions or one of the many restaurants or pubs. Cruise on past the Abbey Manor House and past the picturesque villages of Fladbury and Cropthorne and onto the busy market town of Pershore, where there are good moorings and plenty of restaurants. Continue cruising until you reach the Avon Lock, close to the historic town of Tewkesbury, known for its half-timbered buildings and Tewkesbury Abbey. Cruise through the Avon Lock and join the River Severn heading north, there are no riverside pubs until Upton-upon-Severn. Use the moorings provided for easy access to this delightful town, with many pubs and restaurants, along with many fascinating timbered Georgian buildings. Once finished exploring, turn your boat near the moorings to start your journey back to base.
Active route: The Birmingham Mini Ring - 61 miles, 110 locks, 41 hours total
Cruise north from the boatyard, through the Wilmcote Locks and through quiet wooded countryside to Wootton Wawen. There is a pub just a short walk from the first lock as you climb north through the five locks at Preston Bagot. There is a consistent amount of locks as the canal winds through rural Warwickshire past Lowsonford. Arriving at this busy junction - take the first right and then cruise north on the Grand Union Canal towards Birmingham. Enjoy a quiet stretch of canal, stopping at a waterside pub, before reaching the locks at Knowle, the canal passes under a busy road before re-entering countryside views as you make your way to Solihull. Entering the outskirts of Birmingham you have no locks until you approach Bordesley Junction. Once through the maze of locks and bridges, you can find a mooring at Gas Street Basin. You are within easy reach of Brindleyplace, with a selection of waterfront bars and restaurants, Sea Life Centre and NIA exhibition and music venues. Not to mention The Mailbox - a great shopping location. Departing the basin, cruise through Edgbaston (where you are within walking distance to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens) and navigate through Edgbaston Tunnel (105 yds). Cadbury World is accessible from the waterway shortly before you arrive at Kings Norton Junction, where you will need to cruise west back onto the Stratford-on-Avon Canal through the Guillotine Lock. Once through the Brandwood Tunnel (352 yds) you enter a particularly pretty area of wooded countryside through bridges and over a small aqueduct. Navigate the Lapworth locks and continue south on the Stratford-on-Avon Canal, past the village of Wootton Wawen and Wilmcote and back to the boatyard.
Fortnight Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: The Avon Ring – 109 miles, 131 locks, 59 hours total
It is recommended that you complete this ring by cruising anti-clockwise, firstly so that you are following the flow of the River Severn and secondly so you get most of the locks on the done first!
Cruise north from the boatyard, through the Wilmcote Locks and through quiet wooded countryside to Wootton Wawen. There is a pub just a short walk from the first lock as you climb north through the five locks at Preston Bagot. There is a consistent amount of locks as the canal winds through rural Warwickshire. Arriving at the busy Lapworth Junction - take the first left and then cruise northwest on the Stratford-on-Avon Canal towards Birmingham. Cruise through Brandwood Tunnel (352yds) to King’s Norton Junction and cruise south, leaving the signs for Birmingham behind as you make your way down the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. This stretch takes you through Wast Hills Tunnel (2726yds in length) and a further two smaller tunnels in preparation of the Tardebigge Flight of 36 locks! Stop at a waterside pub for some well-earned refreshment before passing Stoke Wharf and through a further 6 locks. Follow the canal south through a wooded cutting to the Diglis Basin at Worcester. Take a break and explore Worcester before taking your boat south onto the River Severn, through the deep lock and onto the River Avon Navigations. Please note: you will need to purchase an additional licence (which is approximately £50 for up to 7 days) to cruise onto the River Avon Navigations. The River Avon offers unspoilt countryside cruising as you meander along past pretty towns and villages such as Tewkesbury, Evesham & Bidford-on-Avon (well worth visiting if time permits). The River meets the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal at Bancroft Basin, which is ideal for exploring the City of Stratford upon Avon and its rich Shakespearean history before making your way back to the boatyard. Also achievable in 10/11 night breaks.
Intermediate route: The Warwickshire Ring – 130 miles, 181 locks, 80 hours total
An interesting fortnightly route with a great mix of urban and rural scenery. Cruise north from the boatyard, through the Wilmcote Locks and through quiet wooded countryside to Wootton Wawen. There is a pub just a short walk from the first lock as you climb north through the five locks at Preston Bagot. There is a consistent amount of locks as the canal winds through rural Warwickshire. Arriving at the busy Lapworth Junction - take the first left and then cruise northwest on the Stratford-on-Avon Canal towards Birmingham. Cruise through Brandwood Tunnel (352yds) to King’s Norton Junction and head north to Gas Street Basin. Moor at Gas Street Basin to visit the City of Birmingham, take a trip to Cadbury World or Birmingham Sea Life Centre. Cruise north from the basin up to Worcester Bar and Old Turn Junction and join the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal, heading northeast through the Farmer’s Locks. At Aston Junction remain on the Birmingham & Fazeley and cruise through the Aston Locks through to Salford Junction. Head towards Fazeley Junction, cruising through the short Curdworth Tunnel and the Curdworth Locks. There are moorings for Drayton Manor Theme park close to the Drayton Bridges. At Fazeley Junction head east, joining onto the Coventry Canal and through a very pretty, rural stretch passing Tamworth and on to Atherstone. Tackle the Atherstone Locks and cruise through Nuneaton to Marston Junction. Continue to head south towards Hawkesbury Junction. If you wish to visit Coventry, with its great selection of pubs, bars and restaurants, continue along the Coventry Canal to Coventry Basin. From Hawkesbury Junction join the Oxford Canal, travelling through Rugby to Braunston Turn. At the junction, join the Grand Union Canal, passing through Napton Junction and through the lock and pub-heavy stretch of canal near Stockton and through to Warwick. Moor at the Saltisford Arm for a short walk into Warwick to visit attractions such as Warwick Castle and the Lord Leycester Hospital. Cruise on from Warwick and tackle the Hatton Lock Flight of 21, travel through the Shrewley Tunnel (433yds) and up to the Lapworth Link where you will rejoin the Stratford-on-Avon Canal heading south. Cruise back past the pretty villages of Wootton Wawen and Wilmcote and return to the boatyard.
Active Route: The Stourport Ring – 135 miles, 218 locks, 89.5 hours total
Cruise north from the boatyard, through the Wilmcote Locks and through quiet wooded countryside to Wootton Wawen. Cruise through the Lapworth Link to Kingswood Junction, where you will join onto the Stratford-on-Avon Canal. Travel through the Lapworth Locks of 14 and pass through Hockley Heath, where there are moorings available, with a pub and takeaway close by. Continue cruising towards King’s Norton Junction, passing through the Guillotine Lock on the way. Cruise south from the junction through the Wast Hill Tunnel (2726yds) and the town of Alvechurch before reaching the Tardebigge Flight. This lock flight is certainly a challenge, with 30 locks in total it is the largest flight in the UK and can take anywhere between 5-7 hours, luckily the flight is set in beautiful, rolling countryside so you can enjoy the views whilst working your way through (with a handy pub at the end!). Travel through attractive parkland, passing Hanbury Park and cruising past a couple of canalside pubs on the way down to Worcester. Follow the canal through the city and moor at either Lowesmoor Basin or Diglis Basin to explore attractions such as Worcester Cathedral, The Greyfriars and The Commandery. Cruise to Hawford Junction and join the River Severn heading north. Continue cruising to Stourport, joining on to the picturesque Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, passing through the historic town of Kidderminster. Travel on through fairly frequent locks and several canalside pubs enjoying the peaceful countryside up to Aldersley Junction, joining the Birmingham Main Line and tackling the Wolverhampton Flight of 21. Continue along this stretch to Old Turn Junction and join the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, mooring at Gas Street Basin if you wish to visit central Birmingham. Cruise to King’s Norton Junction, taking the Stratford-on-Avon Canal to Lapworth Junction and cruising back south past Wootton Wawen and Wilmcote and back to the base.
