Scarfield Wharf, Alvechurch. Worcestershire. B48 7SQ.
Cruising from Alvechurch delves into the varied landscape of 5 Midlands counties with a rich mixture of sights and scenery - modern & historic, rural & industrial.Locks are met in majestic flights in this part of the country, so be prepared for some good bursts of activity.
The marina is at the heart of an extremely varied canal network, with a fine selection of ring routes.
Features include the impressive 30 lock Tardebigge flight.
* Excellent selection of week-long cruises including Stratford & return or The Stourport Ring , and Black Country Ring
* A good area for plenty of locks
* Enjoy a short break into the centre of Birmingham – the Gas Street basin, with no locks !
* The marina itself is just 10 minutes from junction 2 of the M42, half way between the cities of Worcester and Birmingham - by road or by canal!
Alvechurch Marina has its own cosy canal-side pub 'The Weighbridge', serving real ales and bar food.
0121 445 5111 www.the-weighbridge.co.uk
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Blackwater Meadow, Birch Road,Ellesmere, Shropshire. England. SY12 9DD
This is one of the most popular Waterways in Europe, and includes the famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, which is one of the most spectacular and amazing feats of engineering on the Canal system.Built by Thomas Telford in 1805, the Aqueduct is 126 feet high, and spans over 1000 feet across a valley with the River Dee thundering away in the distance below your feet.
The Chirk Aqueduct is another impressive structure built by Thomas Telford, and is 70 feet high, and beside it at 100 feet high is an impressive Viaduct built in 1848 to take the Shrewsbury & Chester Railway across the valley.
The Chirk Tunnel is 1,377 feet in length, and once through this you can moor up and walk to Chirk Castle, a 700 year old Castle managed by the National trust. Llangollen, at the Western end of the Canal, in Wales, is easily reached from our marina in a couple of days, and is a pleasant base to moor up for 24 hours.
Those who fancy a few more locks can cruise eastwards towards Grindley Brook, a set of 6 locks just past the bustling market town of Whitchurch.
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Union Wharf, The Canal Basin, Leicester Road, Market Harborough, Leicestershire. England. LE16 7UW
Union Wharf with its impressively refurbished canal warehouses and excellent restaurant is a hive of quality boating activity.Situated in Market Harborough, Leicestershire.
This pretty and traditional English market town dates from 1203. Enjoy delicious food and fine ales in the town's historic coaching inns or just potter about the market and the many fine family owned shops in this gem of a town.
It is just two hours cruising to the 'Leicester Line' of the Grand Union Canal from this beautiful and tastefully restored terminus of the 'Market Harborough Arm'.
The friendly lock keeper at the famous Foxton Locks opens the gate to the world ahead and away you go.
The Foxton Locks are 10 locks in the form of a staircase, and the staff here will guide you through the locks, so there is no need to panic!
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Lowesmoor Wharf, Worcester. Worcestershire. WR1 2RS
The cathedral city of Worcester occupies an idyllic position on the banks of the River Severn.The city has been delighting visitors with its particular blend of architectural heritage and natural beauty for decades.
Our most convenient base for river cruising, within 25 minutes cruising (including 2 locks) you will find yourself on the magnificent River Severn.
Cruising north along the Worcs & Birmingham Canal you get to the lower end of the Tardebigge flight (of which Alvechurch is at the top), travelling north into rural Worcestershire you pass through the heart of picturesque 'Archers' country and long stretches of idyllic scenery..
* In favourable weather you can cruise by river (the Severn and the Avon) all the way to Stratford - Shakespeare country.
* A variety of short break options include cruising by canal, river, or a combination of them both.
Based near the heart of the city of Worcester in the 19th Century ' Port of Lowesmoor ', our Worcester base has excellent road links via the M5 and a railway station 800yds away.
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