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Autherley Junction · 3–4 nights

Autherley to Kinver

Head south for locks, green surroundings and time in Kinver. A short holiday for a crew who enjoy getting involved.

Find a holiday Follow the journey

Fuel included

Your narrowboat holiday

Your trip at a glance

Start from: AutherleyStaffs & Worcs
Time aboard: 3–4 nightsActive cruising
Cruising time: 21 hrsApproximate total for the suggested trip
Locks on the route: 44
Distance: 31 miles

Times and figures are planning estimates from our route guides. Cruising stages are flexible, not fixed daily destinations. Confirm your itinerary with us.

Make time for the good bits

A few highlights along the way

A quick look at places to explore and food stops across the whole trip. Tap a card to open the details.

Places to visitKinver Edge and the Rock Houses · Kinver · WombourneExplore these stops

Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses ★ 4.6/5 · Google
Sandstone homes, woodland and hillfort; an excursion from the Kinver stop.
Map & reviews · Rating source
Kinver
A place to pause and explore along this itinerary.
Map & reviews
Wombourne
A place to pause and explore along this itinerary.
Map & reviews

Google scores are published snapshots checked on 11 October 2026, not live ratings. Scores are shown only where verified; follow the source or open Maps for the latest reviews. Check opening times and walking access before setting off.

Pubs & restaurantsThe Cross Inn at Kinver · Swan Pub · OddfellowsExplore these stops

The Cross Inn at Kinver ★ 4.6/5 · Google
A food or drink stop listed on this route.
Map & reviews · Rating source
Swan Pub
A food or drink stop listed on this route.
Map & reviews
Oddfellows
A food or drink stop listed on this route.
Map & reviews

ONE STRETCH AT A TIME

Let your holiday unfold.

Follow the water, find your favourite stops and make room for the moments in between. These stages show the order of the journey; spread them across your holiday at a pace that suits your crew.

Stage 1 · Settle aboard
Autherley to Wightwick

Estimated cruising time
2h

Cruise south towards Wightwick for the first part of your journey.
Stage advice & stopping tips
After your handover, take time to get comfortable with the boat and controls. Ask the base to suggest a realistic first stop.
Pubs & food
Swan Pub — Pub. Access: Bridge 59. Visit website Find on map
Oddfellows — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Bridge 59. Visit website Find on map
Peps Plaice — Fish and Chips. Access: Bridge 59. Find on map
House of Canton — Takeaway. Access: Bridge 59. Find on map
The Mermaid Pub — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Bridge 56. Visit website Find on map
Places to visit
Compton — Explore this village along the route. Find on map
Shops & essentials
Sainsburys Local, Compton — Supermarket. Access: Bridge 59. Find on map
Moorings & cruising

Suggested stop area: Wightwick. Choose a permitted visitor mooring and check local signs, stay limits and available space on arrival.
Current waterway notices · Mooring guidance · Water and boat facilities
Stage 2 · A change of pace
Wightwick to Kinver

Pass the Bratch locks and Wombourne on your way towards Kinver.
Stage advice & stopping tips
Make time for a walk in Kinver, then return to your own comfortable base on the water.
See the suggested stopping area on a map
Pubs & food
Waggon & Horses — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Bridge 43. Visit website Find on map
The Navigation Inn, Greensforge — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Greensforge Bridge (37). Visit website Find on map
The Vine Inn — Kinver pub and restaurant overlooking the lock, with canalside gardens. Access: Bridge 29. Visit website Find on map
The Cross Inn at Kinver — Pub. Access: Bridge 29. Visit website Find on map
Places to visit
Wombourne — Explore this village along the route. Access: Giggetty Bridge (44). Find on map
Kinver — Explore this village along the route. Access: Kinver Visitor Moorings. Find on map
Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses — Sandstone homes, woodland and hillfort; an excursion from the Kinver stop. Access: Kinver village; confirm the preferred towpath exit and uphill walking route.. Visit website Find on map
Shops & essentials
Sainsburys, Wombourne — Supermarket. Access: Bridge 43. Find on map
Boots Pharmacy, Wombourne — Pharmacy. Access: Giggetty Bridge (44). Find on map
Moorings & cruising
Suggested stop area: Kinver. Choose a permitted visitor mooring and check local signs, stay limits and available space on arrival.
The Bratch Locks — Lock(s). Access: Lockside. Find on map
Current waterway notices · Mooring guidance · Water and boat facilities
The kettle is on. The view has changed. This is your time to slow down.
Stage 3 · Enjoy the journey
Kinver to Compton

Return north, with Compton a possible stop before your final morning.
Stage advice & stopping tips
Choose a suitable mooring and leave time to enjoy this stretch. Stops depend on your progress and the conditions on the day.
Pubs & food
Swan Pub — Pub. Access: Bridge 59. Visit website Find on map
Oddfellows — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Bridge 59. Visit website Find on map
Peps Plaice — Fish and Chips. Access: Bridge 59. Find on map
House of Canton — Takeaway. Access: Bridge 59. Find on map
Places to visit
Compton — Explore this village along the route. Find on map
Shops & essentials
Sainsburys Local, Compton — Supermarket. Access: Bridge 59. Find on map
Moorings & cruising

Suggested stop area: Compton. Choose a permitted visitor mooring and check local signs, stay limits and available space on arrival.
Current waterway notices · Mooring guidance · Water and boat facilities
Stage 4 · Homeward stretch
Compton back to Autherley

Leave time for the last stretch and your agreed handover.
Stage advice & stopping tips
For the final night, plan a mooring that leaves a manageable cruise to base. Use the return time agreed in your booking and handover.

Pubs & food

No named food stops are listed for this stage. Ask the base team for local suggestions and check opening times before setting off.

Places to visit

Enjoy the scenery along this stretch. The base team can suggest places to explore nearby.

Shops & essentials

No supply stops are listed for this stage. Stock up before setting off and ask the base team about nearby shops.

Moorings & cruising

Suggested stop area: Autherley. Choose a permitted visitor mooring and check local signs, stay limits and available space on arrival.
Current waterway notices · Mooring guidance · Water and boat facilities

THE LITTLE THINGS MAKE THE HOLIDAY

More than a journey.

A boat that feels like yours.

Your own kitchen, a comfortable place to sleep and a new view outside. Explore the classes and choose the layout that works for your crew. Equipment varies by boat.

Explore our boats

Leave room for doing less.

Coffee on deck. A towpath walk. Supper as the light changes. A route gives your holiday direction; the best moments often happen between the stops.

Bring your favourite people.

Share the steering, work a lock together and make the evenings your own. Full handover training helps you settle into life aboard.

A LITTLE PLANNING, A BETTER HOLIDAY

Before you cast off.

Use this guide to find your kind of holiday. We will help you check the practical details for your dates, boat and crew.

How much cruising should we expect?

This short-break route needs purposeful cruising. Choose a nearer turning point if you would prefer shorter days. Locks, queues, weather and stops ashore all affect the time you need. Allow a margin for returning the boat.

Do we have to follow every stop?

No. These are suggested stages, rather than reserved moorings or a fixed day-by-day schedule. Choose suitable permitted moorings and agree your return time with the base.

How do we check the route before travelling?

Check current navigation notices and plan your daily cruising before departure. Check CRT notices · Open CanalPlan

Can you help us choose?

Tell us your dates, who is travelling and whether you prefer quiet cruising or an active adventure. Ask our team

START MAKING MEMORIES