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Staffordshire countryside
A gentle opening through pleasant countryside, market towns and canalside stopping places.
Seven-night circular canal adventure
Black Country Ring
A varied circular journey mixing Staffordshire countryside with the energy and industrial heritage of Birmingham.
76Miles
79Locks
43Hours
7Nights
AUTHBCR
Black Country Ring
Autherley Junction
Why choose this route?
Countryside, cities and canal history
The Black Country Ring offers a rewarding mix of quiet Staffordshire cruising, famous lock flights, family attractions and Birmingham’s vibrant canal quarter.
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Family attractions
Potential visits include Drayton Manor, the Sea Life Centre and waterside city attractions.
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Industrial heritage
Cruise through Birmingham and the Black Country’s historic canals, junctions and lock flights.
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Canalside stops
Pubs, shops and useful provision stops appear throughout the suggested itinerary.
Living route overview
Autherley → Birmingham → Home
Illustrated guide
AutherleyStart
PenkridgeMarket town
Tixall WideScenic mooring
FradleyHistoric junction
MinworthGateway to Birmingham
BirminghamCity canals
TiptonBlack Country
AutherleyReturn
Suggested circular journey
Seven distinctive stages
From quiet Staffordshire cruising to Birmingham’s historic canal quarter and back through the Black Country.
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This is a suggested itinerary. Conditions, stoppages and personal cruising preferences may affect the journey.
Your suggested journey
Seven days, seven different moods
Open each stage to see the suggested cruising plan, useful stops and the photographs you add later.
1
Day one
Autherley to Penkridge
A gentle first afternoon through Staffordshire countryside.
🧭 11 miles
🔒 8 locks
⏱ 6 hours
Day one
Countryside cruise
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Collect the boat at 2.30pm, complete the handover and turn left from Autherley. Cruise through pleasant countryside towards Penkridge, a useful stop with shops and pubs.
What changes today?
MorningCruise
MiddayLunch stop
EveningMoor and relax
Wildlife and scenery
Look out for swans, ducks and kingfishers along quieter stretches.
“A memorable stage with a completely different character from the day before.”NB Hire route note
Suggested highlights
The Anchor Inn · Penkridge village · The Cross Keys · The Boat Inn · Local shops
2
Day two
Penkridge to Tixall Wide
Cruise past Stafford towards one of the network’s most distinctive beauty spots.
Day two
Countryside cruise
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Continue north past the outskirts of Stafford towards Tixall Wide, a broad lake-like section of canal that makes a memorable stopping point.
What changes today?
MorningCruise
MiddayLunch stop
EveningMoor and relax
Wildlife and scenery
Look out for swans, ducks and kingfishers along quieter stretches.
“A memorable stage with a completely different character from the day before.”NB Hire route note
Suggested highlights
Radford Bank · Stafford provisions · Tixall Wide
3
Day three
Tixall Wide to Fradley
Market towns, villages and the Trent & Mersey Canal.
🧭 15 miles
🔒 6 locks
⏱ 7 hours
Day three
Countryside cruise
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Continue through Rugeley and Handsacre before reaching Fradley Junction, where the Trent & Mersey meets the Coventry Canal.
What changes today?
MorningCruise
MiddayLunch stop
EveningMoor and relax
Wildlife and scenery
Look out for swans, ducks and kingfishers along quieter stretches.
“A memorable stage with a completely different character from the day before.”NB Hire route note
Suggested highlights
Rugeley · Handsacre · The Crown Inn · Fradley Junction · The Swan
4
Day four
Fradley to Minworth
A longer day with Fazeley, family attractions and canalside pubs.
🧭 19 miles
🔒 11 locks
⏱ 9.5 hours
Day four
Countryside cruise
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Pass Fazeley Junction and the Drayton Manor area before continuing towards Minworth on the outskirts of Birmingham.
What changes today?
MorningCruise
MiddayLunch stop
EveningMoor and relax
Wildlife and scenery
Look out for swans, ducks and kingfishers along quieter stretches.
“A memorable stage with a completely different character from the day before.”NB Hire route note
Suggested highlights
Fazeley Junction · Drayton Manor · Dog & Doublet Inn · Minworth
5
Day five
Minworth to Birmingham
A lock-rich day ending in the heart of the city.
🧭 7 miles
🔒 27 locks
⏱ 7 hours
Day five
Countryside cruise
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Work through Minworth, Aston and Farmer’s Bridge locks before reaching central Birmingham and its visitor moorings.
What changes today?
MorningCruise
MiddayLunch stop
EveningMoor and relax
Wildlife and scenery
Look out for swans, ducks and kingfishers along quieter stretches.
“A memorable stage with a completely different character from the day before.”NB Hire route note
Suggested highlights
Minworth Locks · Aston Locks · Farmer’s Bridge · Cambrian Wharf · Brindleyplace
6
Day six
Birmingham to Tipton
Time to explore Birmingham before an easier cruise.
🧭 9 miles
🔒 3 locks
⏱ 4 hours
Day six
Countryside cruise
🌿
Enjoy some time in Birmingham before cruising towards Tipton through the historic Black Country canal network.
What changes today?
MorningCruise
MiddayLunch stop
EveningMoor and relax
Wildlife and scenery
Look out for swans, ducks and kingfishers along quieter stretches.
“A memorable stage with a completely different character from the day before.”NB Hire route note
Suggested highlights
Birmingham city centre · Oozells Street Loop · Tipton · Factory Junction
7
Day seven
Tipton to Autherley
The final lock flight and return towards the base.
🧭 8 miles
🔒 22 locks
⏱ 6 hours
Day seven
Countryside cruise
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Complete the journey through Wolverhampton’s 21-lock flight and moor near Autherley ready for the agreed return time.
What changes today?
MorningCruise
MiddayLunch stop
EveningMoor and relax
Wildlife and scenery
Look out for swans, ducks and kingfishers along quieter stretches.
“A memorable stage with a completely different character from the day before.”NB Hire route note
Suggested highlights
Wolverhampton Locks · Aldersley Junction · Return to Autherley
✓
Journey explored
You’ve reached the final stage
Ready to choose a boat and make the Black Country Ring your own?
Is this route right for you?
A rewarding route for confident crews
The Black Country Ring includes a substantial number of locks and several longer cruising days. It best suits active crews looking for a varied and rewarding canal adventure.
ExperienceConfident beginner to experienced
Holiday lengthSeven nights recommended
Route styleCircular journey
Activity levelActive and lock-heavy
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From Staffordshire countryside to Birmingham’s waterways, this is one of the most varied circular journeys available from Autherley Junction.
NB Hire recommendation
For active seven-night holidays
Helpful information
Before you set off
Is this suitable for first-time boaters?
Confident first-time crews may enjoy the route, although it includes many locks and several longer days. Less active crews may prefer a gentler out-and-back route.
How long should we allow?
Seven nights is recommended. The supplied route information estimates approximately 43 cruising hours across 76 miles and 79 locks.
Can we change the suggested stops?
Yes. The stops are suggestions only, and you may adapt the itinerary around your own preferences, cruising pace and 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 attractions?
The route can include Drayton Manor, central Birmingham, historic lock flights, market towns and a wide range of canalside pubs and amenities.
Ready to explore?
Find the right boat for the Black Country Ring
Choose a boat, check your dates and start planning your seven-night adventure.
Places worth slowing down for
Highlights along the way
From peaceful wide waters to city-centre canals, the Black Country Ring changes character throughout the journey.
Scenic stop
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Tixall Wide
A broad, lake-like stretch of canal and one of the route’s most memorable scenic stopping places.
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Add a photograph
Historic junction
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Fradley Junction
A characterful meeting of waterways with locks, heritage and well-known canalside stopping places.
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Add a photograph
City experience
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Birmingham canals
Moor close to Brindleyplace and explore one of Britain’s most distinctive city-centre canal quarters.
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Add a photograph
Industrial heritage
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The Black Country
Historic junctions, lock flights and waterways shaped by the Midlands’ industrial past.
Family attraction
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Drayton Manor area
The route passes the Fazeley area, giving families the option to plan a visit around nearby attractions.
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Add a photograph
Canal challenge
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Wolverhampton Locks
A memorable final lock flight before the route returns towards Aldersley and Autherley Junction.
Choose your home on the water
Boats suited to this journey
This active seven-night ring works best with a layout that keeps your crew comfortable through longer cruising days and busy lock flights.
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Add boat photograph
Elite
Sleeps 2–4
Luxury four-berth
Excellent match
Ideal for couples or a small family who want extra comfort during a full seven-night ring.
✓ Premium interior
✓ Comfortable saloon
✓ Dog friendly
✓ Extra storage
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Add boat photograph
Discovery
Sleeps 4–6
Flexible family boat
Family choice
A practical option for families who want flexible sleeping spaces and room to relax after lock-heavy days.
✓ Flexible berths
✓ Family layout
✓ Two dogs welcome
✓ Spacious galley
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Add boat photograph
Elite
Sleeps 6–8
Large-group luxury
Group favourite
Well suited to friends or larger families sharing the work through the route’s busier lock flights.
✓ Multiple cabins
✓ Several bathrooms
✓ Large saloon
✓ Premium comfort
Your adventure starts at Autherley
Ready to cruise the Black Country Ring?
Choose a suitable boat, check your preferred dates and start planning a seven-night journey full of variety.
✓ Award-winning service
✓ Dog-friendly options
✓ Twelve routes from Autherley