Alvechurch
Marina...
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a route using the colour coded links below
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The
Black Country Ring |
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7
nights, 48 hours, 80 locks
Pearson's P1, Nicholsons's N3, Lockmaster L12
This
route is packed with options for family activities and also
includes a rich mixture of canal scenery.
• Birmingham centre boasts the Sea Life Centre, the
NIA, Symphony Hall and Brindley Place, all with canal frontage.
• Encounter life as it was when the canals were built
for commercial use at the Black Country 'Living Museum' at
Tipton.
(0121 557 9643 / www.bclm.co.uk)
• Amongst other attractions on the route are Dudly Zoo
& Castle (01384 215 313 / www.dudlyzoo.org.uk)
and Shugborough Hall.
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Birmingham
and Return |
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8
hours, no locks
Use a canal boat as your base for a weekend in the active centre
of Birmingham, or explore some of the Birmingham Canal Navigations.
It is reputed that there are more canals in Birmingham than
in Venice, and certainly just as much to see and do.
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The
Stourport Ring |
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7
nights, 48 hours, 116 locks
Pearson's P1, Nicholsons N2, Lockmaster L16
One of the most popular one-week cruises from Alvechurch, this
route of contrasts takes in the 21st century city center, 19th
century heritage and some of the most rural stretches of canal
imaginable.
• 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 are
all very close by.
(B'ham TIC 0121 693 6300 / www.birmingham.org.uk)
• 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 Bridgenorth.
(01299 403 816 / 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 TIC 01905 726 311 / www.visitworcester.com)
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Avon
Ring |
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10/11
nights, 58 hours, 139 locks
(Additional license required for River Avon)
Pearson's P2, Nicholson's N2, Lockmaster L15
To really enjoy the delightful river cruising on both the Severn
and Avon, you will need a 10 or 11 night break. In fact, allowing
two weeks enables a detour down to Gloucester to visit it's
docks, warehouses and museums. Worcester, Tewksbury, Evesham
and Stratford each offer a supurb mixture of culture, history
and shopping.
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The
Birmingham Mini Ring |
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4
nights, 22 hours, 49 locks
Pearson’s P1, Nicholson’s N3, Lockmaster L13
A four night mid-week break that takes you through some of Britain’s
finest industrial architecture, travelling along the Worcester
& Birmingham, Grand Union and Stratford-upon-Avon Canals.
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Breathtaking Warwickshire countryside cruising
through some exclusive villages of the area.
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Moor at the National Sea Life Centre - a real treat
for every member of the family.
(0121 643 6777 / www.sealife.co.uk)
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Warwickshire
Ring |
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10/11
nights, 58 hours, 128 locks
Pearson’s P6, Nicholson’s N3, Lockmaster L13
Another route with the option to moor at the heart of Birmingham,
this cruise includes the spectacular Hatton locks and some
fine stretches of the Grand Union canal.
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Once at Coventry, it is a short walk to the war-torn
cathedral and its striking 1962 replacement.
•
Drayton Manor Park & Zoo (01827 287979) and
the Snow Dome at Tamworth (08705 000011
www.snowdome.co.uk)
offer activities for all the family.
•
Warwick Castle is possibly the finest medieval
castle in the country. (0870 442 2000
www.warwick-uk.co.uk).
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On a two week cruise, include a trip along the
Ashby Canal.
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Straford-Upon-Avon
& Return |
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7
days, 42 hours, 110 locks
Pearson’s P2, Nicholson’s N2, Lockmaster L15
Cruise through idyllic stretches of Worcestershire & Warwickshire
countryside to this historic town.
•
Two National Trust properties - Packwood House
and Baddesley Clinton Hall - are within walking
distance of the canal.
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Moor in the beautifully maintained canal basin at
Stratford, by the steps of the Royal Shakespeare
Theatre (01789 269191 www.rsc.org.uk)
- the
convenient Tourist Information Centre
(01789 293127) gives details of all you need to
know about Shakespeare’s birthplace.
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Lapworth
Flight / Kingswood Junction / Hatton (& Return) |
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3-4
nights, 8 hours, 0 locks (Top of Lapworth)
Pearson’s P2, Nicholson’s N2, Lockmaster L15
Briefly heading north, then turning down on the Stratford Canal
towards Stratford, this relaxing route involves no locks at all.
The views around the “Lapworth Flight” (of 18 locks)
are stunning, and a leisurely walk along the canalside from the
top lock allows you to take in the atmosphere without the effort
of travelling through yourself!
4 nights, 19 hours, 36 locks (Bottom of Lapworth)
• Taking a midweek break gives time to
go down the
locks to Kingswood Junction. Just a couple of hours
further cruising takes you towards either Knowle,
the top of Hatton Flight or Wootton Wawen.
•
Country World Craft Village is a short walk
from the top of Hatton locks. (01926 843411 / www.hattonworld.com)
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