Below are detailed some of the places you might like to visit whilst on a cruise from Alvechurch Marina.
Click on the links for further information:
Black Country Living Museum
Stuart Crystal Glassworks
Merry Hill Shopping Centre
Tamworth Snowdome
Drayton Manor Park & Zoo
Kingsbury Water Park
Birmingham City Centre
Packwood House (National Trust)
Coventry Cathedral
Warwick Castle
Severn Valley Railway
Avoncroft Museum of Buildings
Hanbury Hall
Worcester Cathedral
Mary Arden's House
Black Country Living Museum
www.bclm.co.uk
Historic buildings from all around the Black Country have been moved and authentically rebuilt at the Museum, to create a tribute to the traditional skills and enterprise of the people that once lived in the heart of industrial Britain.
The canal is a prominent part of the museum features.
It is just few minutes cruise from Birmingham Canal Navigation's (BCN) Mainline at Tipton, you can actually moor within this 19 th Century time warp, with secure overnight moorings available.
Stuart Crystal Glassworks
01384 342701
The 100ft high Red House Glass Cone was built at the end of the 18th Century and used for the manufacture of glass until 1936 - it is now one of only four cones left in the United Kingdom.
A busy heritage site hosting exhibitions, events, children's activities, tours, a programme for schools, live glass making and craft studios.
Near the foot of the 'Stourbridge 16' lock flight (Lock 13) on the Stourbridge Canal , accessed from Glass Works Bridge .
Merry Hill Shopping Centre
www.westfield.com/merryhill
A huge covered shopping Mall with over 200 high street brands.
You could also enjoy lunch at one of the many bars and restaurants at The Waterfront overlooking the cosmopolitan canal basin.
A few minutes walk from the Dudley No1 Canal, moor at the 'Waterfront' canal basin
Tamworth Snowdome
www.snowdome.co.uk
Open 364 days a year, the Snowdome is an indoor ski slope with real snow. Equipment hire and lessons are available but may need pre-booking. (Children welcome from 4 years old.)
A few minutes walk from Kettlebrook Wharf on the Coventry Canal in Tamworth. Moorings and a turning point if you are making the excursion from the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal
Drayton Manor Park & Zoo
www.draytonmanor.co.uk
Drayton Manor theme park is set in 280 acres of lakes and parkland, with a host of great rides and attractions featuring some of the biggest, wettest and scariest rides., Drayton Manor Zoo is home to over 100 species from all over the world including big cats, reptiles, monkeys, owls, eagles, parrots-and an exotic creature reserve.
Alongside the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal at Drayton Manor Bridge, just south of Tamworth
Kingsbury Water Park
01827 872660
Kingsbury Water Park has 15 lakes situated in over 600 acres of country park. Surfaced paths throughout the park with nature trails, bike hire, fishing, horse riding and water sports.
Alongside the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal at Bodymoor Heath Bridge, between Curdworth and Tamworth (Warwickshire)
Birmingham City Centre
www.birmingham.org.uk
Much of the stunning new development in Birmingham city centre is focused on the canalside area. Symphony Hall, the Sea life Centre and the ICC (International Convention Centre) are all close by.
Plenty of moorings throughout the city centre and right next to many of the major attractions.
Packwood House (National Trust)
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
A much-restored Tudor manor house, garden with notable topiary, park and walled flower garden. The lavish interiors include renowned collections of stained glass and tapestries
Just a mile North of the Stratford on Avon Canal at Lapworth. Closest from bridge 31 but only 1½ miles from the turning point above the first lock of the Lapworth flight.
Coventry Cathedral
www.coventrycathedral.org.uk
On the night of 14 November 1940, the city of Coventry was devastated by bombs dropped by the Luftwaffe and the Cathedral burned with the city. The new cathedral was consecrated on 25 May 1962. The ruins remain hallowed ground and together the two create one living Cathedral.
Just half a mile from the terminus of the Coventry Canal at Coventry Basin
Warwick Castle
www.warwick-castle.co.uk
A stunningly preserved 14 th Century Castle overlooking the River Avon (above navigable waters) with the grounds and gardens laid out by Capability Brown. Hosts special historical themed attractions and events throughout the year.
Within a mile of the Grand Union Canal in Warwick - walk from bridge 49 or take local buses.
Severn Valley Railway
www.svr.co.uk
A full-size standard-gauge railway line running regular steam passenger trains along the 16 mile track between Kidderminster in Worcestershire and Bridgnorth in Shropshire .
The scenery is fantastic as the track follows the course of the River Severn for much of the journey, through un spoilt countryside.
Trains run from Kidderminster Station, under a mile from bridge 15 on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal in Kidderminster.
Avoncroft Museum of Buildings
www.avoncroft.org.uk
A fascinating museum of historic buildings spanning seven centuries, rescued from imminent destruction and carefully rebuilt timber by timber or brick by brick on a 15 acre open-air site in Bromsgrove, in the north of Worcestershire.
1 mile north of Stoke Wharf on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal
Hanbury Hall
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Early 18th-century William and Mary-style country house, garden and park. The tranquil gardens have a working mushroom house, orangery, and formal wilderness, including a restored 18th-century bowling green on which you can play a game of bowls.
Less than a mile walk by public footpath from lock 17 on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, East of Droitwich.
Worcester Cathedral
www.cofe-worcester.org.uk/cathedral
This striking cathedral overlooking the River Severn is open and staffed on every day of the year from 7.30am to 6pm. Worcester Cathedral has been a place of prayer and worship since 680 AD. The present building was begun in 1084
Mary Arden's House
www.stratford.co.uk
One of a number of links to Shakespeare (not least the Royal Shakespeare Theatre) to be found in the Stratford area, reportedly the childhood home of Shakespeare's mother.
The magnificent thatched and timber-framed, Tudor farmstead has been furnished in keeping with a wealthy Tudor farming family. The outbuildings and nearby Glebe Farm now house a museum of rural life over the last 400 years.
Close to the Stratford-on-Avon Canal (Bridge 59) on the outskirts of the pleasant village of Wilmcote .
