UK Canal Boating

Day 1

If you wish to start your holiday off with an adventure, how about walking to the Snow Dome which is only about 10 minutes from the marina. All weather skiing and snowboarding centre with kit rental, an ice rink, swimming pool and gym. It is open until late every night.
Also you need to visit Tamworth Castle-
Step back through 900 years of history with a visit to Tamworth Castle. Uncover the secrets held within the chambers and hallways of this unique building and get a real sense of how the Saxons, Normans, Tudors and Victorians lived.

Once back on the boat turn right out of the marina and cruise westwards and immediately you encounter Glascote Locks, but the trainer will show you how to use the locks, so don't worry.
At the Fazeley Junction turn left along the Birmingham and Fazeley canal, soon you will reach Drayton Manor Theme Park - The UK's best family theme park with kids rides, family fun, zoo, and thrill rides. The entrance to the Theme park & Zoo is a short walk from the canal to your right.

It is 1.25 hours to Drayton Manor so if you are spending a day visiting here then moor up for the night ready for a whole day tomorrow.

Day 2

Explore Drayton Manor Theme Park
Featuring Stormforce 10 with a backward water drop, Maelstrom, Shockwave- Europes first stand up roller coaster, and the vertical drop -New for 2011 is Ben 10 Ultimate Mission the ride, Ben needs you to stop Vilgax from stealing the Omnitrix and the only way is to board the “Mecha Vehicle”, Good luck on your mission! . Adults & children will love the white knuckle rides, but the park has many family rides and a Thomas Land area for the younger children, and a Zoo to explore. The park is closed during November to March.

Day 3

Today your route takes you through quiet countryside until you reach Birmingham.

The Gothic style footbridge at Drayton Bassett is worth a photo, it has twin battlemented towers which look quite ridiculous on such a small construction, but it is wonderfully eccentric.

You will pass Cliff Pool Nature Reserve and Middleton Lakes Nature Reserve on the right and there is also a childrens farm at Broomey Croft near Kingsbury Swivel bridge.

At Bodymoor Heath is a lovely pub- the Dog & Doublet by Cheatles Farm bridge. To the left is Kingsbury Water Park, a 600 acre landscaped park containing 30 lakes from old gravel pits. There are walks, nature trails, fishing, horse riding, sailing and wind surfing and power boating.

At the village of Curdworth there is a pub to the south of Curdworth bridge, and another in the village.

The Minworth Locks are soon reached & there is a handy transport cafe near Hansons bridge. There are also pubs – the Hare & Hounds by Minworth Green bridge, and The Boat by Caters bridge.

All shops are readily available alongside the canal around Salford, a good access point is where the A452 crosses the canal at Tyburn bridge.

Star City is just before Salford Junction to your left.
Star City is one of the UK's largest leisure destinations - a unique family entertainment destination with 12 restaurants and 11 leisure attractions including a 25 screen VUE cinema. Funfairs, fireworks displays and other exciting family orientated events regularly take place at StarCity, including high-profile attractions such as the Moscow State Circus and Cirque De Soleil. It is also home to England’s largest Indoor Adventure Golf Complex, a 22 lane ten pin bowling alley, a purpose built all-weather 5-a-side football center, a Laser Station and a Twin Peaks Family Climbing Centre.


Soon there are 2 canals away to your left, take the 1st turning and use the moorings by Star City. It is 6.5 hours to here
Access through the locked gate into the Star City complex requires a BWB boater's key.
You can get public transport to take you into the heart of Birmingham .

As Britains second largest city there is every type of cuisine you can think of, from Caribbean to Nepalese, from Thai to Italian. Also clubs and bars, Theatres, Comedy and live entertainment and Cinemas.
Amongst some of the attractions are the National Sea Life Centre & the Jewellery Quarter Discovery centre, also many fine Art galleries and over 500 restaurants offering every choice of food! The jewellery quarter dates back over 250 years, and is still home to over 400 jewellery businesses. It is a designated conservation area with only 200 listed buildings, and has been described by English heritage as a unique historic environment in England.

For shopping a visit to the new Bullring is a must, which covers an area the size of 26 football pitches and a has a huge range of shops.
Close by is the national Indoor Arena, one of the busiest large scale indoor sporting & entertainment venues in Europe.


Day 4 Day 5
Reverse back onto the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal and make your way home. It is 8 hours cruising back

 

NB: This route has been provided as a guide only. Information may become inaccurate or out of date. You should always check with the marina that the route is possible within your time frame, current weather conditions and canal stoppages etc.