Big 10/11-day canal adventure

Stourport Ring

A very pleasant round trip with a little of everything in the way of scenery, with lots to see including Stourport, Worcester and Birmingham. Don't miss the Black Country Museum at Tipton or the Sea-Life Centre at Brindley Place.

—Miles
118Locks
50Hours
10–11Nights
AUTHSPR
Stourport Ring Autherley Junction
Route at a glance

Stourport Ring at a glance

A very pleasant round trip with a little of everything in the way of scenery, with lots to see including Stourport, Worcester and Birmingham. Don't miss the Black Country Museum at Tipton or the Sea-Life Centre at Brindley Place.

—Miles
118Locks
50Hours
10–11Nights
Illustrated journeyAutherley → Autherley
Designed for clarity
NB HIRE
Autherley Kinver Stourport Worcester Tardebigge Birmingham Tipton Autherley
⚓ Autherley Junction base

This is a deliberately simplified journey graphic for holiday planning, not a navigation chart.

🌿Scenery

See the character of the route change as you cruise from stop to stop.

🔒Locks & pace

Use the itinerary below to plan comfortable cruising days for your crew.

🍺Places to stop

Suggested villages, towns and canalside stops are built into the journey.

Your suggested journey

12 suggested journey stages

Open each stage to see the suggested cruising plan. Times and stops are a guide, so adapt the journey to your crew, conditions and preferred pace.

AutherleyKinverStourportWorcesterTardebiggeBirminghamTiptonAutherley
1
Day one Autherley to Mermaid Pub Start your journey and turn right out of Autherley Heading south, after two hours or so you will be at…

Pick up boat at 2.30pm. After handover instructions, turn right out of Autherley Heading south, after two hours or so you will be at Wightwick Bridge 56, which is close to the Mermaid pub for the night.

＋ Add a route photograph Autherley to Mermaid Pub
Suggested highlights

Autherley · Mermaid Pub

2
Day two Fish & Chips close to the canal Panelled, 18th-century country pub offering British dining, real ales and outside seating.

Panelled, 18th-century country pub offering British dining, real ales and outside seating.

＋ Add a route photograph Fish & Chips close to the canal
Suggested highlights

Fish & Chips close · the canal

3
Day three Mermaid Pub to Kinver Continue on towards The Bratch staircase of three locks dropping the boat down 30ft to the next level. There…

Continue on towards The Bratch staircase of three locks dropping the boat down 30ft to the next level. There are shops and pubs in the next town Wombourne. Continue on through the picturesque Staffordshire countryside until you reach Kinver. This will be a good place to moor overnight

＋ Add a route photograph Mermaid Pub to Kinver
Suggested highlights

Mermaid Pub · Kinver

4
Day four Kinver to Stourport Basin 10 miles and 8 locks will take you to Stourport basin, passing through the town of Kidderminster on the way

10 miles and 8 locks will take you to Stourport basin, passing through the town of Kidderminster on the way

＋ Add a route photograph Kinver to Stourport Basin
Suggested highlights

Kinver · Stourport Basin

5
Day five Handy superstore right next to the canal, with towpath moorings Historical StructureLock(s)MarinaPubShopsTown / CityWater Point

Historical StructureLock(s)MarinaPubShopsTown / CityWater Point

＋ Add a route photograph Handy superstore right next to the canal, with towpath moorings
Suggested highlights

Handy superstore right next · the canal, with towpath moorings

6
Day six Chinese Takeaway close to the canal Cruise this stage of the route from Chinese Takeaway close to the canal at a comfortable pace, choosing…
🧭 10 miles 🔒 8 locks ⏱ 6 hours

Cruise this stage of the route from Chinese Takeaway close to the canal at a comfortable pace, choosing moorings to suit your crew and conditions.

＋ Add a route photograph Chinese Takeaway close to the canal
Suggested highlights

Chinese Takeaway close · the canal

7
Day seven Stourport Basin to Worcester Today sees you leave the Staffordshire & Worcester canal, and head downstream on the river Severn, mooring for…

Today sees you leave the Staffordshire & Worcester canal, and head downstream on the river Severn, mooring for the night on the river adjacent to Worcester Racecourse

＋ Add a route photograph Stourport Basin to Worcester
Suggested highlights

Stourport Basin · Worcester

8
Day eight Large chain supermarket, close to the river A Tokyo inspired Ramen shop, serving modern interpretations of Japanese noodle bowls + snacks. Bringing bold…
🧭 12 miles 🔒 7 locks ⏱ 5 hours

A Tokyo inspired Ramen shop, serving modern interpretations of Japanese noodle bowls + snacks. Bringing bold broths, juicy rice lager and crispy katsu, the kind of flavours that make you wanna slurp, chill, repeat.

＋ Add a route photograph Large chain supermarket, close to the river
Suggested highlights

Large chain supermarket, close · the river

9
Day nine Worcester to Tibberton Leaving the River Severn today at Diglis Basin, you head up the Worcester & Birmingham canal
🧭 7 miles 🔒 16 locks ⏱ 6 and 1/2 hours

Leaving the River Severn today at Diglis Basin, you head up the Worcester & Birmingham canal

＋ Add a route photograph Worcester to Tibberton
Suggested highlights

Worcester · Tibberton

10
Day ten Tibberton to Stoke Pound A shortish day today, finishing below the famous Tardebigge locks prior to tackling them tomorrow.
🧭 8 miles 🔒 12 locks ⏱ 5 and 1/4 hours

A shortish day today, finishing below the famous Tardebigge locks prior to tackling them tomorrow.

＋ Add a route photograph Tibberton to Stoke Pound
Suggested highlights

Tibberton · Stoke Pound

11
Day eleven Stoke Pound to Alvechurch An energetic day today, passing through the longest lock flight on the UK canal system. 30 locks over a 2 & 1/4…
🧭 6 miles 🔒 30 locks ⏱ 7 and 1/2 hours

An energetic day today, passing through the longest lock flight on the UK canal system. 30 locks over a 2 & 1/4 mile stretch should see you getting a good workout!

＋ Add a route photograph Stoke Pound to Alvechurch
Suggested highlights

Stoke Pound · Alvechurch

12
Day twelve Alvechurch to Birmingham City Centre A shorter day today, giving you time to visit Cadbury World, Birmingham City centre or other attractions,…
🧭 11 miles 🔒 0 locks ⏱ 4 and 1/2 hours

A shorter day today, giving you time to visit Cadbury World, Birmingham City centre or other attractions, should you wish.

＋ Add a route photograph Alvechurch to Birmingham City Centre
Suggested highlights

Alvechurch · Birmingham City Centre

Is this route right for you?

Big 10/11-day canal adventure

A very pleasant round trip with a little of everything in the way of scenery, with lots to see including Stourport, Worcester and Birmingham. Don't miss the Black Country Museum at Tipton or the Sea-Life Centre at Brindley Place.

ExperienceExperienced or confident crews
Holiday length10/11 nights recommended
Route styleCircular
Activity levelVery active
“

A very pleasant round trip with a little of everything in the way of scenery, with lots to see including Stourport, Worcester and Birmingham. Don't miss the Black Country Museum at Tipton or the Sea-Life Centre at Brindley Place.

NB Hire recommendation Big 10/11-day canal adventure
Helpful information

Before you set off

Is this suitable for first-time boaters?

This route is better suited to confident crews because of its cruising time, locks or longer daily stages. Always match the route to your crew’s confidence and the conditions during your holiday.

How long should we allow?

10/11 nights is the suggested holiday length for this route. The supplied guide lists about 50 cruising hours, 118 locks.

Can we change the suggested stops?

Yes. The stops are suggestions only. Adapt the itinerary around your own pace, preferred moorings, daylight, weather and canal conditions.

Should we check for stoppages?

Yes. Check current Canal & River Trust stoppages before choosing the route and again shortly before departure.

What are the main places on the route?

The suggested journey takes in Mermaid Pub, Fish & Chips close, canal, Kinver, Stourport Basin, Handy superstore right next. The full itinerary above gives the stage-by-stage plan.

Ready to explore?

Find the right boat for Stourport Ring

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