Worcester & Birmingham
A UK Canal Boating Article
Category : Canals
Length: 30 miles
Locks: 58
Tunnels: 4
The Worcester and Birmingham Canal was opened throughout 1815 and connected Birmingham directly to Worcester. The Worcester and Birmingham Canal Company wanted to build a canal to link the River Severn at Worcester to the factories of Birmingham and the Black Country.
Work began on the canal in Birmingham in 1792 and it finally reached Worcester in 1815 it suffered many engineering and financial problems and took 24 years to complete.
THINGS OF INTEREST ON ROUTE
Kings Norton Tunnel (also known as Wast Hill Tunnel) – Situated on the junction with the Stratford Canal the tunnel is just under 2 miles long. In the 1870s steam tugs were used to haul the narrowboats through this tunnel. Found at King's Norton is the only guillotine stop-lock on a canal and was used to separate one company's water from another.
Tardebigge Locks - Raising the Canal up 220 feet over two and a quarter miles the 30 locks in the Tardebigge Flight make it the largest flight of locks in Britain. Standing near to lock 57 is a former canal pumping engine house and was used to pump the water from the adjacent Tardebigge feeder reservoir.
Bournville - Located close to the Canal is the world famous chocolate factory take a tour and see your favourite chocolate being made. Visit the Cadbury museum for the history of chocolate from the Aztec's to present day
Hanbury – Hanbury Junction marks the connection with the Droitwich Junction Canal, which is currently undergoing restoration, you might like to take a short walk down the Hanbury Flight. Hanbury's other claim to fame is that it is also the real-life counterpart to Ambridge home of Radio 4's The Archers.
Brindley place – Set in a stunning canal side development Brindley place is a fantastic waterside destination and there is something for everyone from shopping to sampling a drink or two in a canalside bar.
Gas Street Basin- Moor up in the heart of Birmingham city centre in what was once the hub of Birmingham's canal system. It is well worth a visit for its range of waterside pubs and to see the pretty canal boats moored there.
Locks: 58
Tunnels: 4
The Worcester and Birmingham Canal was opened throughout 1815 and connected Birmingham directly to Worcester. The Worcester and Birmingham Canal Company wanted to build a canal to link the River Severn at Worcester to the factories of Birmingham and the Black Country.
Work began on the canal in Birmingham in 1792 and it finally reached Worcester in 1815 it suffered many engineering and financial problems and took 24 years to complete.
THINGS OF INTEREST ON ROUTE
Kings Norton Tunnel (also known as Wast Hill Tunnel) – Situated on the junction with the Stratford Canal the tunnel is just under 2 miles long. In the 1870s steam tugs were used to haul the narrowboats through this tunnel. Found at King's Norton is the only guillotine stop-lock on a canal and was used to separate one company's water from another.
Tardebigge Locks - Raising the Canal up 220 feet over two and a quarter miles the 30 locks in the Tardebigge Flight make it the largest flight of locks in Britain. Standing near to lock 57 is a former canal pumping engine house and was used to pump the water from the adjacent Tardebigge feeder reservoir.
Bournville - Located close to the Canal is the world famous chocolate factory take a tour and see your favourite chocolate being made. Visit the Cadbury museum for the history of chocolate from the Aztec's to present day
Hanbury – Hanbury Junction marks the connection with the Droitwich Junction Canal, which is currently undergoing restoration, you might like to take a short walk down the Hanbury Flight. Hanbury's other claim to fame is that it is also the real-life counterpart to Ambridge home of Radio 4's The Archers.
Brindley place – Set in a stunning canal side development Brindley place is a fantastic waterside destination and there is something for everyone from shopping to sampling a drink or two in a canalside bar.
Gas Street Basin- Moor up in the heart of Birmingham city centre in what was once the hub of Birmingham's canal system. It is well worth a visit for its range of waterside pubs and to see the pretty canal boats moored there.
Holiday Bases
AlvechurchWorcester
Canals
BirminghamDroitwich
Stratford Upon Avon
Rivers
Severn
Places to Visit
n/a