UK Canal Boating

Day 1

After you have had the tuition it is worth just having an walk around Worcester & then set off tomorrow after a good nights sleep. You can leave the boat moored up in the marina if you speak to the marina staff.

From the Wharf you can walk into the city centre of Worcester, with its splendid cathedral dating from 1074, & museums, art galleries and half timbered buildings. The museum at the Royal Worcester Porcelain works is well worth a visit, as it contains the most comprehensive collection of Worcester Porcelain in the world.

There are many bars, pubs and restaurants and take-aways around Worcester, and plenty of shops to stock up on supplies, or for a little retail therapy.

Day 2

Turn left out of Lowesmoor wharf up the Birmingham & Worcester canal & soon you will encounter 2 locks at Gregory Mill & 2 at Bilford, which will get you into the swing of things. 2 more locks should mean that you leave Worcester behind you before passing into the Worcestershire countryside. The six Offerton locks are climbed, set in pleasant pasture land.

You pass the small village of Tibberton which is about 5 hours cruising from Lowesmoor Wharf, there are stores & a garage here, & the Bridge Inn is by the canal.
You are now in a pleasant stretch of rural country entirely typical of this canal, are the fruit trees are a reminder of one of Worcestershire's farming preoccupations.

There is a small tunnel at Dunhampstead, the Firtree Inn is close to the canal in the village.
At Hanbury Wharf is another Pub by bridge 35, just beyond bridge 38 are the start of the six locks of the Astwood Flight.

There is a footpath leading south east from lock 17 that leads to the national trust property of Hanbury Hall -a red brick house built in 1701 in the style of William & Mary, which remains largely unaltered to the present day.

After the Astwood locks you will soon approach Stoke Prior & Stoke Wharf, after bridge 44 go through Stoke Bottom Lock & then moor up, because you will be turning here tomorrow to set off on your return journey.

The Navigation is a nice pub to have a meal or a drink, and is just by Stoke Wharf.
It is 9 ½ cruising hours to here.

Day 3
Day 4
retrace your steps

 

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 Information may become inaccurate or out of date.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.