Worcs
& Birmingham Canal:(Adjacent
canals can be viewed with
the above links)
The Worcester & Birmingham canal links the centre of Birmingham with the River Severn at Worcester. For much of it's length west from Birmingham it is lock free with a tunnel or three to add interest, but then it plunges down towards the River and Worcester via the massive Tardebigge Lock Flight. From Wast Hill Tunnel, south westwards the canal is very rural - pleasantly so in parts. North of that it has a more Urban setting. The typical bank side view of hawthorn and similar small trees - with the almost ever present reed banks - make it, for me, a touch 'samey' for most of the canal's length down to Worcester.
The Worcester & Birmingham canal links the centre of Birmingham with the River Severn at Worcester. For much of it's length west from Birmingham it is lock free with a tunnel or three to add interest, but then it plunges down towards the River and Worcester via the massive Tardebigge Lock Flight. From Wast Hill Tunnel, south westwards the canal is very rural - pleasantly so in parts. North of that it has a more Urban setting. The typical bank side view of hawthorn and similar small trees - with the almost ever present reed banks - make it, for me, a touch 'samey' for most of the canal's length down to Worcester.
I have to admit that we view
the W&B canal as an important link canal rather than an
attraction in it's own right. It is useful to use the W&B when
we start or finish a cruise at Birmingham's attractive Old
Turn Junction. From the Old Turn Junction, we use the Worcs &
B'ham as a lock free link to Kings Norton Junction (Stratford Upon Avon
bound). As a method of leaving Birmingham, it is an attractive route,
running alongside the railway past Edgbaston and Birmingham University.
Rather than recommend a cruise from Birmingham to the River Severn
using the W&B canal and the Tardebigge stretch we would, by
preference, go via Kings Norton - Stratford - the River Avon to
Tewksbury - then onto the Severn. That Stratford route is vastly
prettier and holds much more varied interest.
Although the GU main line was
historically a very important route south, we generally find our
recommendation goes to other routes than the GU Main Line for those
wanting a canal holiday. The area near to Birmingham is 'very run down'
as is the area north of Brentford. South of the
Norton/Buckby areas there is lock after lock, ever southward.
It makes it harder to just turn around and head back the way we came -
and we have better suggestions for a holiday. Note that we
are differentiating here between the GU Main Line and the GU (Leicester
Section). We may not recommend the GU Main LIne for a holiday
cruise
but we certainly do recommend the GU (Leicester Section) - it
has to be one of the prettiest canals in the UK. So now we
have the reasoning behind including the very attractive River Soar on
this page - as
it forms an effective continuation of the equally attractive
GU (Leicester section).
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Typical view of much of the W&B. Hawthorn & reeds. | The 15th century 'Commandery', one of Worcester's more pleasant views. | One of the W&B's more pleasant locks. | Diglis at Worcester - sorry, it doesn't 'do it for me'. |
Home • Charter • Routes • About Willow • Your Crew • About Canals & Wildlife
• Costs & Booking
• Contact • Site Map
Copyright © Scott Marine
Services 2009