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Autherley Junction · 7 nights

Black Country Ring

Country mornings and city afternoons: a circuit linking Tixall Wide, Fradley, Birmingham and the Black Country.

Find a holiday Follow the journey

Fuel included

Your narrowboat holiday

Your trip at a glance

Start from: AutherleyCanal circuit
Time aboard: 7 nightsActive circuit
Cruising time: 43 hrsApproximate total for the suggested trip
Locks on the route: 79
Distance: 76 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 visitBlack Country Living Museum · Tixall Wide · Shugborough Estate walk from Tixall / Great HaywoodExplore these stops

Black Country Living Museum ★ 4.7/5 · Google
Living history museum; official FAQ identifies limited adjacent 48-hour moorings at Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust.
Map & reviews · Rating source
Tixall Wide
A place to pause and explore along this itinerary.
Map & reviews
Shugborough Estate walk from Tixall / Great Haywood
CRT walking guide links Tixall, Great Haywood and the Shugborough landscape.
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 Boat Inn, Penkridge · Hare & Hounds, Minworth · The Boat Inn, MinworthExplore these stops

The Boat Inn, Penkridge ★ 4.2/5 · Google
Pub and restaurant on Cannock Road, useful for a Penkridge food stop.
Map & reviews · Rating source
Hare & Hounds, Minworth
A food or drink stop listed on this route.
Map & reviews
The Boat Inn, Minworth
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 Penkridge

Estimated cruising time
6h

Locks this stage
8

Head north on the Staffs & Worcs towards Penkridge and its shops and pubs.
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
The Anchor Inn — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Canalside. Visit website Find on map
The Cross Keys — Pub. Access: Canalside. Find on map
The Boat Inn, Penkridge — Pub and restaurant on Cannock Road, useful for a Penkridge food stop. Access: Bridge 86. Visit website Find on map
Places to visit
Penkridge — Explore this village along the route. Find on map
Shops & essentials
Pop-ins Corner Shop — Newsagent / Convenience Store. Access: Bridge 86. Find on map
Moorings & cruising

Suggested stop area: Penkridge. 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 · An open-water moment
Penkridge to Tixall Wide

Continue past Stafford to the broad, open water at Tixall Wide.
Stage advice & stopping tips
Pause to enjoy the wider view at Tixall. Take your time choosing a suitable, permitted mooring.
See the suggested stopping area on a map
Pubs & food
The Radford Bank Inn Stonehouse — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Radford Bridge (98). Visit website Find on map
Places to visit
Tixall Wide — Viewpoint. Find on map
Shugborough Estate walk from Tixall / Great Haywood — CRT walking guide links Tixall, Great Haywood and the Shugborough landscape. Access: Optional walking excursion; distinguish public walking route from paid estate admission.. Visit website Find on map
Shops & essentials
Aldi, Stafford — Supermarket. Access: Radford Bridge (98). Find on map
Moorings & cruising

Suggested stop area: Tixall Wide. 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 kettle is on. The view has changed. This is your time to slow down.
Stage 3 · Enjoy the journey
Tixall Wide to Fradley Junction

Estimated cruising time
7h

Locks this stage
6

Join the Trent & Mersey at Great Haywood and continue towards Fradley.
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
Food stops in Rugeley — Pubs or restaurants are listed in this area; explore the village or town for a stop. Access: Tan Yard Bridge (66). Find on map
Food stops in Handsacre — Pubs or restaurants are listed in this area; explore the village or town for a stop. Access: Bridge 56. Find on map
The Crown Inn, Handsacre — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Bridge 56. Find on map
The Old Peculiar, Handsacre — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Bridge 56. Visit website Find on map
Michael's Fish Bar — Fish and Chips. Access: Bridge 56. Find on map
The Swan Pub, Fradley Junction — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Canalside Moorings. Visit website Find on map
Places to visit
Rugeley — Explore this town along the route. Access: Tan Yard Bridge (66). Find on map
Handsacre — Explore this village along the route. Access: Bridge 56. Find on map
Fradley Junction — A stop along this stretch of the route. Access: The Canal. Find on map
Shops & essentials
Supplies in Rugeley — Listed local facilities: newsagent / convenience store, supermarket. Access: Tan Yard Bridge (66). Find on map
Tesco, Rugeley — Supermarket. Access: Tan Yard Bridge (66). Find on map
Morrisons, Rugeley — Supermarket. Access: Tan Yard Bridge (66). Find on map
Rugeley Bicycle Repairs — Bicycle Shop. Access: Tan Yard Bridge (66). Visit website Find on map
Moorings & cruising

Suggested stop area: Fradley Junction. 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 · Enjoy the journey
Fradley Junction to Minworth

Estimated cruising time
9h 30m

Locks this stage
11

Follow the Coventry and Birmingham & Fazeley canals towards the city.
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
The Three Tuns pub, Fazeley Junction — Pub. Access: Fazeley visitor moorings. Find on map
Dog & Doublet Inn — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Visitor Moorings. Visit website Find on map
Hare & Hounds, Minworth — Pub. Access: Minworth Green Bridge. Visit website Find on map
The Boat Inn, Minworth — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Canalside. Find on map
Places to visit
Fazeley Junction — Explore this town along the route. Access: Visitor Moorings. Find on map
Drayton Manor Theme Park — Theme Park. Access: Visitor Moorings. Visit website Find on map
Minworth — Explore this village along the route. Access: Canal Towpath. Find on map
Shops & essentials
Tesco Express, Fazeley — Newsagent / Convenience Store, Off Licence, Supermarket. Access: Fazeley visitor moorings. Find on map
Moorings & cruising

Suggested stop area: Minworth. 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
A pause on the towpath. A photograph. Another memory to take home.
Stage 5 · An afternoon ashore
Minworth to Birmingham City Centre

Estimated cruising time
7h

Locks this stage
27

Work the locks together as the journey opens into Birmingham’s waterfront.
Stage advice & stopping tips
Leave a little room in the schedule for Birmingham’s canal-side city life.
See the suggested stopping area on a map
Pubs & food
Food stops in Cambrian Wharf / Oozells St. Loop / NIA moorings — Pubs or restaurants are listed in this area; explore the village or town for a stop. Access: towpath. Find on map
Places to visit
Cambrian Wharf / Oozells St. Loop / NIA moorings — Explore this town along the route. Access: towpath. Find on map
Shops & essentials
Supplies in Cambrian Wharf / Oozells St. Loop / NIA moorings — Local shops are listed in this area. Access: towpath. Find on map
Moorings & cruising
Suggested stop area: Birmingham City Centre. Choose a permitted visitor mooring and check local signs, stay limits and available space on arrival.
Minworth Locks — Lock(s). Access: Canalside. Find on map
Aston Locks — Lock(s). Access: Canalside. Find on map
Farmer's Bridge Lock Flight — Lock(s). Access: Canalside. Find on map
Current waterway notices · Mooring guidance · Water and boat facilities
Stage 6 · Enjoy the journey
Birmingham City Centre to Tipton

Estimated cruising time
4h

Locks this stage
3

Leave time for the city before continuing towards Tipton.
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
The Old Bush Bar & Grill, Tipton — Pub, Restaurant. Access: Towpath at Factory Junction. Find on map
Places to visit
Black Country Living Museum — Living history museum; official FAQ identifies limited adjacent 48-hour moorings at Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust. Access: Adjacent Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust moorings; space is limited.. Visit website Find on map
Dudley Canal and Caverns — Canal trip attraction with CRT visitor moorings advertised on its website. Access: Dudley Canal Trust visitor moorings; check signs and availability.. Visit website Find on map
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: Tipton. Choose a permitted visitor mooring and check local signs, stay limits and available space on arrival.
Dudley Canal and Caverns — Canal trip attraction with CRT visitor moorings advertised on its website. Access: Dudley Canal Trust visitor moorings; check signs and availability.. Visit website Find on map
Current waterway notices · Mooring guidance · Water and boat facilities
Stage 7 · Homeward stretch
Tipton to Autherley Junction

Estimated cruising time
6h

Locks this stage
22

The final stretch includes plenty of locks. Plan your return to base carefully.
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 Junction. Choose a permitted visitor mooring and check local signs, stay limits and available space on arrival.
Wolverhampton Locks — Lock(s). Access: Canalside. Find on map
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?

Choose extra days if you would like more time for breaks and visits ashore. 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