The Canal Boat Club

ROUTE 1 : THE STOURPORT RING (7 nights, 7.5 hours per day, 116 locks )

One of the most popular one-week cruises of all. This route of contrasts takes in the 21st century Birmingham city centre, 19th century heritage and some of the most rural stretches of canal imaginable along with the river Severn .

Much of the stunning new development in Birmingham city centre is focused on the canalside area - Symphony Hall, the International Convention Centre and the Sea Life Centre. Branch off to the impressive Netherton tunnel or visit the award winning Black Country Museum . Birmingham Tourist Information Centre 0870 2250127

If time permits, experience the wonder of steam trains on the Severn Valley Railway, with a trip from Kidderminster to the picturesque market town of Bridgnorth. 01299 403816 www.svr.co.uk

Take an enviable river perspective of the magnificent Worcester cathedral in a city where you will also find both quaint and modern shopping malls and, of course, the Royal Worcester Porcelain factory. Worcester Tourist Information Centre 01905 726311

ROUTE 2 : STRATFORD UPON AVON (7 nights, 6 hours per day, 44 locks
(Avon Licence required, can be purchased on arrival at the Avon River)

Cruise through idyllic stretches of countryside to this historic town, each route offering a superb mixture of culture, history and shopping. Moor in the beautifully maintained canal basin at Stratford, near to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.01789 403444 www.rsc.org.uk

The convenient Tourist Information Centre 0870 1607930 gives details of all you need to know about Shakespeare's birthplace.

ROUTE 3 : STAFFORDSHIRE & RETURN (7 days, 6 hours per day, 80 Locks )

Passing through Worcester by canal, you join the River Severn for a leisurely cruise up to Stourport where you join the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal .

Here you will appreciate the contrast between the wide river and the more intimate atmosphere of the canal, which threads its way unobtrusively through the landscape, encouraging you to stop at will.

This canal takes you north past dramatic sandstone rocks and through the beautifully preserved Bratch locks towards Autherley Junction where you have the opportunity of joining the Shropshire Union Canal for a short while.

You will probably want to turn here in order to make the most of the return journey which, apart from opening up new views of the countryside, will give you a chance to visit some of the attractions you may have missed on the way up, such as the Severn Valley Railway, or the sandstone caves at Austcliffe.

ROUTE 4 : AVON RING (14 nights or (10/11 nights, 6 hours a day), 139 locks
(Additional licence required for River Avon) )

To really enjoy the delightful river cruising on both the Severn and Avon you will need at least a 10 or 11 night break.

In fact, allowing two weeks enables a detour down to Gloucester to visit its docks, warehouses and museums.

Worcester ,Tewkesbury, Evesham and Stratford each offer a superb mixture of culture, history and shopping.

ROUTE 5 : DROITWICH RING (From Worcester 41 locks, 20 hours cruising )

This new ring can be cruised again for the first time in 90 years. It combines four contrasting waterways : The Droitwich canals, the southern part of the Worcester Birmingham Canal and the River Severn north of Worcester. It’s a ring that can be cruised easily in a weekend or a little longer if you wish.

Setting off on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal at Lowesmoor Wharf you’ll pass through two locks and arrive in Diglis Basin where you will descend two further locks to the River Severn. You will need to turn right when joining the Severn to head up the river. Although you may find it easier to turn left and then turnaround a short distance downstream. Then approaching Worcester City centre the Cathedral is overlooking you as you pass under Worcester bridge built in 1781. Worcester Race Course runs alongside the River as you head towards open countryside.

Next you’ll pass the Camp House Inn on your left at Grimley one of the few riverside inns on the Severn. You may decide to stop here and visit the unspoilt pub serving real ale and cider. Either way you’ll see Bevere Lock next and like all of the Severn locks is mechanised and keeper operated.

Half a mile above the lock you’ll find new landing stages that sit at the entrance to the Droitwich Barge Canal. In 1771 under engineer James Brindley the Droitwich Barge Canal was opened it’s just under 6 miles long with eight locks climbing from Hawford to Droitwich. You cruise the canal following the meanderings of the of the Salwarpe river. There are no roads and little sign of habitation for over a mile just isolated Lock 3 and Lineacre Bridge, a farm crossing dating from Bindley’s time. Porters Mill Bridge is the start of the canal’s main flight of locks; there are five, strung out over three-quarters of a mile of gently curving rural canal. The canal then heads off again on a 3 mile level into open countryside.

Next you pass through Salwarpe a tiny settlement and the only canalside village. The canal briefly forsakes the contours but then returns once again for the rest of the journey to Droitwich. The Railway Inn marks the arrival in Droitwich the only waterside pub although there are plenty more in the town. Droitwich was built on Salt and Vines Park was the site of the former brine works and salt wharves. You’ll notice the church tower leaning and other buildings in Droitwich as a result of salt-mining subsidence. Four swing bridges cross the canal in Vines Park the final one crossing Barge Lock where you enter another waterway Droitwich Junction Canal. You’ll pass along a new canalised length of the River Salwarpe. The river section quickly comes to an end and the first of four brand new locks appear. The town of Droitwich is left behind and you head into open countryside once again.

Once through the Hanbury Locks you arrive at Hanbury Junction where a tight right turn brings you into the canal settlement of Hanbury Wharf. The Eagle and Sun pub on your left looks down onto the Worcester and Birmingham Canal and ahead a stretch of four miles without locks. A wooded cutting leads to Dunhampstead Tunnel and after you pass through the villages of Oddingley and Tibberton the descent to Worcester begins with a flight of 6 locks and then a further 4 at Astwood as you enter the outskirts of Worcester and find your way back to Lowesmoor Wharf.