Weekly Route Suggestions

Relaxed route

Pershore and return – 73 miles, 40 locks 31 hours total

Head south on the Worcester & Birmingham canal to Worcester, then downstream on the River Severn for 16 miles and through 1 lock to historic Tewksbury. Turn off the Severn and up through Avon lock onto the River Avon*, there are plenty of visitor moorings close by, within easy reach of the High Street, with shops, pubs, museums, resturants, etc.

Tewksbury Abbey is also rather impressive. From Tewksbury continue on the River Avon to Pershore- a busy market town with fine Georgian buildings. Turn here for you journey back to Dunhampstead Wharf. Places to explore enroute include the Cathedral city of Worcester, and Upton upon Severn which is host to many festivals and collectors markets.

* You will need to purchase a River Avon license at Avon lock.

Easy route

Stourton and return 76 miles 85 locks 50 hours

This week long cruise takes a leisurely route from Dunhampstead to Stourton passing through some of the most beautiful lengths of canal in the country.

Firstly, you travel south to Worcester, a city of great historical significance, where you join the River Severn, you turn upstream passing the cathedral, you will stay on the Severn for the next 13 miles, there are 3 manned river locks on the journey to Stourport, which is a Georgian town in the heart of the Severn Valley.After spending time in Stourport, you join the Staffordshire & Worcester Canal. On the journey to Stourton, you will pass the Cookley and Kinver areas, which make up some of the most beautiful stretches of canal in the country. The main attraction in Stourton is its Castle.

Active route

The Stourport ring 76 miles, 105 locks, 50 hours total

Leaving Dunhampstead and heading north head up to Tardibigge where you encounter the Tardibigge flight of 30 locks, after which there is lock free cruising to Gas Street Basin in central Birmingham.

Gas Street Basin is close to the International Convention Centre, National Sealife Centre, and Brindley Place. After leaving Birmingham cut through Netherton tunnel to Merry Hill and the Staffs&Worc’s canal, and on to Stourton, kinver, and Cookley,which make up one of the most beautiful lengths of canal in the country.This canal leads to the River Severn at Stourport, and then on to Worcester where you leave the Severn and head back to Dunhampstead.