Seven-day narrowboat adventure

The Black Country Ring

One week. 76 miles. 79 locks.

Discover one of Britain’s most rewarding narrowboat holidays, combining peaceful countryside, historic canals and the vibrant heart of Birmingham.

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⚓ 0 Suggested days
◌ 0 Approximate miles
⌁ 0 Approximate locks
Your suggested adventure

Follow the canal, day by day

Start gently at Autherley Junction, cruise through open Staffordshire countryside and discover memorable canal towns, junctions and waterside stops along the way.

Your first three days Autherley Junction to Fradley Junction
Circular adventure
1 Autherley
2 Penkridge
3 Tixall Wide
4 Fradley
Your day on the water

Collect your boat from approximately 2.30pm and complete your handover and boat handling instruction. Turn left out of Autherley Junction and begin cruising along the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal.

The route soon becomes peaceful and green, passing through pleasant Staffordshire countryside before reaching Penkridge. It is a useful first overnight stop with pubs, shops and places to top up your provisions.

NB
Friendly tip

Keep the first afternoon relaxed. There is no need to rush while everyone becomes familiar with the boat.

Places to discover Tap the cards as you plan
P
Pub and restaurant The Anchor Inn

A historic canalside pub serving familiar favourites, seasonal dishes and drinks.

M
Market town Penkridge

A convenient overnight stop with shops, pubs, takeaways and useful supplies.

P
Canalside pub The Cross Keys

A traditional place for familiar food and refreshments close to the canal.

F
Food stop The Boat Inn

A historic pub serving British dishes, brunches and Sunday roasts.

Your day on the water

Continue north beyond Penkridge and cruise past the outskirts of Stafford towards Tixall Wide.

This unusually broad stretch of water resembles a natural lake and is one of the most memorable locations on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal.

NB
Friendly tip

Tixall Wide is particularly attractive in the evening, so try to arrive while there is still daylight.

Places to discover Good stops for food and supplies
P
Pub and restaurant Radford Bank Inn

A family-friendly pub restaurant offering familiar meals and a carvery.

S
Provisions Aldi, Stafford

A useful supermarket within walking distance of the canal.

★
Scenic highlight Tixall Wide

A beautiful lake-like stretch of canal surrounded by peaceful open countryside.

Your day on the water

Continue towards Great Haywood and join the Trent and Mersey Canal. The route passes through Rugeley and Handsacre, with opportunities to stop for food and provisions.

Finish at Fradley Junction, where the Trent and Mersey Canal meets the Coventry Canal. It is a lively and memorable place to spend the evening.

NB
Friendly tip

Rugeley is one of the easiest places on the route to complete a larger food shop before continuing.

Places to discover Food, shops and waterside stops
T
Town and provisions Rugeley

Supermarkets, shops, pubs and takeaways within walking distance.

P
Canalside pub The Crown Inn

A traditional pub with a large beer garden overlooking the canal.

F
Food stop Michael's Fish Bar

Traditional fish and chips close to the canal in Handsacre.

★
Historic junction Fradley Junction

A lively meeting point between two major canals with attractive visitor moorings.

P
Historic pub The Swan

A Grade II listed waterside pub with food, drinks and outdoor seating.

The adventure continues Next: Fradley Junction to Birmingham

Section 2B continues with Drayton Manor, Minworth and the major lock flights into Birmingham.

↓
Continue the adventure

Into Birmingham, then home again

The second half of the Black Country Ring combines family attractions, Birmingham’s historic waterways, dramatic lock flights and the final return to Autherley Junction.

The return journey Fradley Junction to Autherley Junction
Follow the moving boat
4Fradley 5Fazeley 6Birmingham 7Autherley
Your day on the water

Leave Fradley Junction and follow the Coventry Canal through Huddlesford and Whittington towards Fazeley.

This varied section combines open countryside, traditional canal villages and easy access to Drayton Manor Resort.

NB Friendly tip Drayton Manor can take most of a day, so shorten your cruising time if you plan to visit.
Places to discover
★ Family attraction Drayton Manor Resort

Theme park, zoo and family activities near Fazeley.

V Village stop Whittington

An attractive village with pubs and useful stops.

J Canal junction Fazeley Junction

Where the Coventry Canal meets the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal.

P Food and drinks Fazeley

Pubs, takeaways and shops close to the canal.

Your day on the water

Turn onto the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal and continue through the Curdworth lock flight.

The locks gradually lift the canal towards Birmingham, with peaceful countryside before the surroundings become more urban.

NB Friendly tip Share lock duties between the crew and take regular breaks. A steady pace is more enjoyable than rushing.
Places to discover
L Lock flight Curdworth Locks

A memorable sequence of countryside locks.

N Nature stop Kingsbury Water Park

Lakes, walking routes and wildlife near the canal.

P Village stop Curdworth

A useful place for food and refreshments.

M Overnight area Minworth

A practical stop before entering central Birmingham.

Your day on the water

Continue through Minworth and Salford Junction before tackling the Aston lock flight.

Arrive among Birmingham’s restaurants, attractions and historic waterways around Brindleyplace and Gas Street Basin.

NB Friendly tip Leave early so you reach central Birmingham with enough daylight to choose a suitable visitor mooring.
Places to discover
L Major lock flight Aston Locks

A substantial flight leading towards the city centre.

B City moorings Brindleyplace

Restaurants, cafés and attractions beside the canal.

S Family attraction SEA LIFE Centre

A popular attraction beside Birmingham’s canals.

G Canal heritage Gas Street Basin

Historic boats, buildings and waterside restaurants.

Your final journey

Leave Birmingham and follow the Main Line through Smethwick, Tipton and Wolverhampton.

Descend the Wolverhampton lock flight, rejoin the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal and return to Autherley Junction.

! Important planning note This is a demanding section. Many crews divide it across more than one day rather than leaving it all until the final day.
NB Friendly tip Try to reach Wolverhampton during the previous evening for a more relaxed return to the hire base.
Places to discover
H Living history Black Country Living Museum

A major attraction celebrating the region’s industrial history.

T Canal town Tipton

A historic town with strong canal heritage.

L Final lock flight Wolverhampton Locks

The major descent towards Autherley Junction.

⌂ Journey complete Autherley Junction

Return to the NB Hire base and complete the ring.

Adventure completed

Ready to cruise the Black Country Ring?

Find your narrowboat holiday from Autherley Junction and begin planning your own canal adventure.

Book a boat →
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Plan your journey carefully. This itinerary is a suggested guide only. Distances, lock numbers and cruising times are approximate. Check current Canal & River Trust stoppages and return your boat at the agreed time.

Before you cast off

Everything you need to know

A few useful details to help you decide whether the Black Country Ring is right for your crew and prepare for a brilliant week afloat.

✓
Who is it for?

A memorable active holiday

This route is best for crews who enjoy a varied journey, working locks together and seeing both countryside and canal heritage.

Couples Families Friend groups Active crews Canal explorers Dog-friendly trips
NB First-time boaters can complete the route, but it is not a completely effortless cruising holiday.
Route difficulty

Moderate to challenging

4 out of 5
★★★★☆
76 approximate miles 79 approximate locks 7 suggested days

The main challenge is the number of locks rather than difficult boat handling. Sharing duties between the crew makes a big difference.

🐾
Bringing your dogs?

Up to 2 dogs per boat

Dogs can enjoy towpath walks, countryside stops and many dog-friendly pubs along the route.

  • Maximum of 2 dogs per boat
  • Bring leads for locks and busy towpaths
  • Pack dog towels for muddy adventures
  • Keep drinking water available on warm days
2 dogs maximum
per boat
⚓
Crew planning

More hands make lighter work

A crew of two can complete the ring, although additional capable crew members make the larger lock flights more relaxed.

2 Capable More demanding
4+ Recommended Easier lock sharing
! Children should always be supervised closely around locks, waterways and moving boats.
Before leaving the base

Your cruising checklist

Your NB Hire handover covers operating the boat safely. These extra checks help make the journey smoother.

Helpful answers

Frequently asked questions

Tap a question to open it

It can be completed by confident first-time boaters following their handover, but the high number of locks makes it more demanding than a simple out-and-back countryside route. Crews should be comfortable with active days and careful planning.

You can use suitable permitted towpath and visitor moorings, subject to local restrictions and displayed time limits. Avoid lock landings, water points, bridges and signed private areas.

There are shops, pubs, cafés and restaurants at various points, particularly around larger towns and Birmingham. Rural sections can be quieter, so carry essential food and supplies.

Mobile coverage varies by network and location. Urban areas generally offer better coverage, while rural cuttings and remote stretches may have weaker or intermittent signal.

NB Hire allows a maximum of 2 dogs per boat. Please include your dogs when booking and bring their bedding, bowls, leads and towels.

Contact the hire base as early as possible. Do not rush, cruise after dark or take unnecessary risks in an attempt to recover lost time.

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Suggested guide only. Routes, timings, distances and lock counts are approximate. Conditions, restrictions and stoppages may change, so always check current information before setting off.

Your canal adventure awaits

Ready to experience the Black Country Ring?

Seven days of countryside, canal heritage, city attractions, memorable locks and peaceful evenings beside the water.

0 Approximate miles
0 Approximate locks
0 Suggested days
Book your narrowboat holiday → View last-minute availability
✓ Boats for couples, families and groups ✓ Maximum 2 dogs per boat ✓ Full handover before departure
NB Hire

Black Country Ring route guide from Autherley Junction.

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