Staffordshire has more miles of canal than any other county and Birmingham is 'Britain's canal city' – with over 32 miles of canals to explore, creating a major conflux at the heart of the national canal network. With the Grand Union Canal traversing through the centre of historic Birmingham, the Shropshire Union Canal (or “Shroppie”) and the Trent and Merseyside running up through Staffordshire, there really is something for everyone.
By linking the Avon with sections of the River Severn, Worcester and Birmingham and Stratford-upon-Avon Canals, a wonderfully varied 10 or 11 day circular route can be created. The Worcester and Birmingham Canal offers panoramic views of Worcestershire, dominated by the Malvern Hills. Tardebigge top lock, one of the deepest on the canal system, is the first of many distractions en route to the Severn. In Worcester you can moor alongside the Commandery where Charles II planned the Battle of Worcester in 1651. The Stourport Ring is one of the most popular circular routes and provides a week’s holiday of great variety combining canal and river cruising through the very Heart of England. Kidderminster is handy for replenishing stores and a convenient mooring point to go and take a trip on the steam locomotives of the Severn Valley Railway.
Birmingham is at the very heart of the canal network, and Gas Street Basin tugs at the heartstrings of true canal fans. The old warehouses which once surrounded it have been replaced with a concert hall, pubs and nightclubs and the resident community of narrow boat dwellers give it a resonance which keeps it in touch with its busy past. After exploring the legacy of the Industrial Revolution the canal emerges into the suburban West Midlands 'stockbroker belt', a countryside which exudes an air of the Home Counties, epitomised by large detached houses at the end of the neatly gravelled drives.
All of the operators below offer quality assessed boat accommodation:
Away4awhile
Bookings: 3 Brindley Place
Birmingham
B1 2JB
Tel: 0845 644 5144
Email: enquiries@away4awhile.com
Website: www.away4awhile.com
Rating: 3 Stars
The specialist Hotelboat for short breaks on the canals in the Heart of England. A one centre holiday with transfer back to your start point included in your holiday.
Canal cruising Co Ltd
Bookings: Crown Street
Stone
Staffordshire
ST15 8QN
Tel: 01785 813982
Email: mail@canalcruising.co.uk
Website: www.canalcruising.co.uk
Rating: 3-4 Stars
Situated in the Canal and Market Town of Stone in the heart of Staffordshire. Close to the Wedgewood Factory and the Potteries. Est. 1948. Varied choice of routes.
Countrywide Cruisers (Brewood) Ltd
Bookings: The Wharf
Off Kiddemore Road
Brewood
ST19 9BG
Tel: 01902 850166
Website: www.countrywide-cruisers.com
Rating: 3-5 Stars
Duke & Duchess Hotel Boats
Bookings: 9 Lyndale Close
Coventry
CV5 8AE
Tel: 07711 836441
Website: www.hotelboat-holidays.co.uk
Rating: 4 Stars
Heritage Narrowboats Ltd
Bookings: The Marina
Kent Green
Scholar Green, Stoke on Trent
ST7 3JT
Tel: 01782 785700
Rating: 3 Stars
Oak & Ash Hotel Boats (Reed Boats) - Warwick
Bookings: 2 Lyons Lodge
Colesbourne Road
Withington
Cheltenham
Gloucester
GL54 4BH
Tel: 07977 229103
Email: martinreed@reedboats.co.uk
Website: www.reedboats.co.uk
Rating: 4 Stars
Relax by cruising the waterways of the UK. Watch the scenery pass from the sheltered front cockpit only feet from your cabin. The crew do all the work letting you do as little, or as much as you wish. The energetic can help with the boats or use them as a mobile base for walking. You travel in luxury, your individual cabin has a comfy bed, carpet on the floor and central heating. There are flush toilets and hot showers. You can enjoy a full English Breakfast, light lunch, four course dinner with a glass of wine all expertly cooked for you from fresh ingredients. The four star quality of your holiday is guaranteed by Visit Britain's annual assessment visit. At just £595, per person for a week of full board relaxing luxury in 2008, with no hidden extra charges, it is exceptional value. We offer a variety of routes, starting places and lengths of cruises.
Oxfordshire Narrowboats
Bookings: Heyford Wharf
Station Road
Lower Heyford
OX25 5PD
Tel: 01869 340348
Rating: 3-4 Stars
Rose Narrowboats
Bookings: Stretton Under Fosse
Rugby
CV23 0PU
Tel: 01788 832449
Email: rose@rose-narrowboats.co.uk
Website: www.rose-narrowboats.co.uk
Rating: 2-5 Stars
21 self-drive narrowboats available for weekly or short break rental, also a day boat.
Swan Lane Wharf/ Clubline Cruisers
Bookings: Swan Lane
Stoke Heath
Coventry
CV2 4QN
Tel: 024 7625 8864
Rating: 3 Stars
Union Canal Carriers (Adventure Fleet)
Bookings: Braunston Pump House
Dark Lane
Braunston
NN11 7HJ
Tel: 01788 890784
Rating: 2-5 Star
Valley Cruises Ltd
Bookings: Springwood Haven
Mancetter Road
Nuneaton
CV10 0RZ
Tel: 024 76 393333
Rating: 2-5 Stars
Willow Wren Cruising Holidays
Bookings: Rugby Wharf
Consul Road
Rugby
CV21 1PB
Tel: 01788 562183
Email: narrowboats@willowren.co.uk
Website: www.willowwren.co.uk
Rating: 2-3 Stars
Willow Wren operate out of Rugby Wharf on the north Oxford canal with boats from 2 up to 12 berths available. We can cater for large groups from schools or scout troops as well as smaller family holidays. We also have a popular day boat ideal for picnics or pub lunches.
Anglowelsh Boats
Bookings: Mill Lane
Great Haywood
Stafford
ST16 0RG
Tel: 01889 881 771
Rating: 3-4 Stars
Anglowelsh Boats
Bookings: Tardebigge Wharf
Old Wharf
Bromsgrove, Worcestershire
B60 1LW
Tel: 01527 873 898 (Base) 01170341122 (Bookings)
Email: bookings@anglowelsh.co.uk
Website: www.anglowelsh.co.uk
Rating: 2-4 Stars
Enjoying an idyllic country setting in rural Worcestershire, in the Heart of England. Tardebigge offers a great choice of cruises for both novice and experienced boaters. Several great ‘Rings’ are accessible as well as many ‘there and back’ options.
Black Prince Holidays
Bookings: Wigrams Turn Marina
Shuckburgh Road
Napton on the Hill
CV47 8NL
Tel: 01527 575115
Fax: 01527 575116
Email: BHolidays@aol.com
Website: www.black-prince.com
Rating: 4 Stars
Black Prince operate over 100 boats from 6 locations across England, Wales and Scotland. Boats are from 2-12 berth and are less than 4 years old at the start of each session. Short breaks, week or longer. Previous Gold Award Winner of the Hire Craft Operator of the Year
Black Prince Holidays
Bookings: Festival Park Marina
Etruria
Stoke on Trent
ST1 5PS
Tel: 01527 575115
Fax: 01527 575116
Email: BHolidays@aol.com
Website: www.black-prince.com
Rating: 4 Stars
Black Prince operate over 100 boats from 6 locations across England, Wales and Scotland. Boats are from 2-12 berth and are less than 4 years old at the start of each session. Short breaks, week or longer. Previous Gold Award Winner of the Hire Craft Operator of the Year
Copt Heath Wharf
Bookings: 309 Barston Lane
Solihull
West Midlands
B91 2SX
Tel: 0121 704 4464
Rating: 4 Stars
Grand Waterway Voyagers
Bookings: Swan Lane Wharf
Stoke Heath
Coventry
CV2 4QN
Tel: 02476 258864
Rating: 2-3 Stars
Marine Cruises
Bookings: Festival Park Marina
Etruria
Stoke on Trent
ST1 5PS
Tel: 01782 201981
Rating: 4 Stars
Napton Narrowboats
Bookings: c/o Water Travel
Autherley Junction
Wolverhampton
WV9 5HW
Tel: 01926 813644
Narrow Boats
Rating: 4 Stars
Maestermyn Marine
Bookings: Ellesmere Road,
Whittington
Oswestry
SY11 4NJ
Tel: 01691 662424
Email: enquiries@maestermyn.co.uk
Website: www.maestermyn.co.uk
Rating: 3-5 Stars
Based on Llangollen Canal in Shropshire, the marina is situated near the junction of the Llangollen Canal and the Montgomery Canal. Whittington is just North of Oswestry on the English/Welsh borders. The Llangollen has a lot to offer both first time and regular holidaymakers. It meanders gracefully through the beautiful countryside where the world famous “stream in the sky” – the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct spans the Dee Valley, such a feature of engineering is sure to snatch your breath away! You could also visit the walled City of Chester.
Alvechurch Boat Centres ltd
Bookings: Scarfield Wharf
Alvechurch
Worcestershire
B48 7SQ
Tel: 08708 352525 (Overseas +44 1905 734168)
Email: enquiries@alvechurch.com
Website: www.alvechurch.com
Rating: 3-5 Stars
Relax and unwind with a boating holiday from Alvechurch Marina. With a choice of 5 circular routes or a number of out and back holidays, you can visit Birmingham with its vibrant canalside life, Shakespeares Stratford Upon Avon, Warwick with its castle, Worcester, and many other locations.
Whitchurch - Viking Afloat
Bookings: Alvechurch Boat Centres ltd
Wrexham Road
Whitchurch
Shropshire
SY13 3AA
Tel: 01905 610660
Email: info@viking-afloat.com
Website: www.viking-afloat.com
Rating: 4 Stars
Enjoy a boating holiday in the Welsh Borders from Whitchurch Base. Travel west over the Chirk & Pontcysyllte Aqueducts to Llangollen, or east to Chester & Ellesmere Port museum, or for longer on the four counties or Cheshire rings.
Anglowelsh Boats
Bookings: The Wharf
Norbury Junction
Norbury, Stafford
ST20 OPN
Tel: 01785 284 292
Rating: 3-4 Stars
Alvecote Marina
Bookings: Canaltime Management (Alvecote) LTD
Robeys Lane
Tamworth
Staffordshire
B78 1AS
Tel: 01827 899022
Email: dick_holly@hotmail.com
Website: www.canaltime.com
Rating: Awaiting grading
Situated on the Coventry Canal in a peaceful, rural setting on the Warwickshire and Staffordshire borders. Alvecote provides a variety of cruising routes around the heart of the extensive Midlands canal networks.
Viking Afloat
Bookings: The Wharf
Watling Street
GAILEY
Staffordshire
ST19 5PR
Tel: 01905 610660
Email: info@viking-afloat.com
Website: www.viking-afloat.com
Rating: 4 Stars
Enjoy a boating holiday in the Potteries & Peak District from Gailey Base. Travel South through Staffordshire to the interesting Stourport on Severn, or up onto the Caldon Canal, or Nantwich and Barbridge junction or even the four counties ring.
Viking Afloat
Bookings: Rugby Wharf
Rugby
CV21 1NR
Tel: 01905 610660
Email: info@viking-afloat.com
Website: www.viking-afloat.com
Rating: 4 Stars
Enjoy a boating holiday in Shakespeare Country from Rugby Base. Travel through the Cotswolds to Banbury, to Market Harborough, Oxford, Warwick with its castle, or even on the Warwickshire or Leicester rings, the choice is yours.
Black Prince Holidays
Bookings: Hanbury Road
Stoke Prior
Bromsgrove
B60 4LA
Tel: 01527 575115
Fax: 01527 575116
Rating: 4 Stars
Black Prince operate over 100 boats from 6 locations across England, Wales and Scotland. Boats are from 2-12 berth and are less than 4 years old at the start of each session. Short breaks, week or longer. Previous Gold Award Winner of the Hire Craft Operator of the Year.
Viking Afloat
Bookings: Lowesmoor Wharf
Worcester
WR1 2RS
Tel: 01905 610660
Email: info@viking-afloat.com
Website: www.viking-afloat.com
Rating: 4 Stars
Enjoy a boating holiday in the Heart of England from our Worcester Base in its cathedral city. Travel up the river Severn on through Staffordshire or the Stourport ring, visit Stratford on Avon or the Avon ring. Up the famous Tardebigge lock flight to Birmingham and beyond.
Blackwater Meadow Marina
Bookings: Canaltime Management (Alvecote) LTD
Birch Road
Ellesmere
Shropshire
SY12 9DD
Tel: 01691 624391
Email: dick_holly@hotmail.com
Website: www.canaltime.com
Rating: Awaiting grading
Blackwater Meadow Marina is ideally situated at the middle of the 46 miles long Llanggollen Canal which has now been voted one of the top 100 holiday destinations worldwide in the Sunday Times Newspaper.
Anglowelsh Boats
Bookings: Canal Wharf
Wootton Wawen
Henley in Arden
B95 6BZ
Tel: 01564 793 427
Rating: 3-4 Stars
