Worcester and return from Alvechurch
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Cruise this route from : Alvechurch
Route Type : Rural
Days : 4.00 to 8.00
Cruising Hours : 29.50
Number of Locks : 108
Cruising Notes
Day 1
Turn right out of the marina and head towards Shortwood Tunnel (614 yards long), which seems longer due to the 3mph speed limit! Watch out for the drips, as tunnels are very wet. Once through, you will cruise through some very tranquil and pretty countryside, with the sound of birdsong just audible above the gentle chug of the boat, before reaching the 580 yard Tardebigge Tunnel.
Just the other side of the tunnel, you will soon spot Tardebigge Top Lock No. 58 – the first one in the mammoth flight! You can moor here for the night, as you won't have time to complete the whole flight tonight, and you can't moor overnight in the flight.
You have cruised 2 miles in a little over an hour.
Day 2
Have a good breakfast before you set off today, as you won't have much chance to stop once you start on the locks. The flight consists of 30 narrow locks over 2¼ miles, and is the longest in the United Kingdom.
It is possible to stop for a refreshment break between some of the locks, so just take your time and you will soon feel like you've been doing it all your life!
Before you know it, you will reach Tardebigge Bottom Lock No. 29.
If you have time and want to moor up, there is a really nice pub across the canal (accessible by bridge), called The Queens Head. The food here is really good, and children and dogs are allowed in the restaurant if they are well-behaved. If you're lucky, you will get a table by the window, or outside on the decking, overlooking the canal.
Moving on from here, you will soon reach Stoke Locks at Stoke Prior, and once through, you might like to moor and have a look around this pretty town.
About 10 minutes walk from the bridge, is a nice pub called The Navigation. It has a pretty, sunny beer garden, and the food is very good value for money.
Moving on from here, you will approach Astwood Locks, a flight of six, but by now you should find it much easier.
Past Hanbury Junction, you will soon be at Dunhampstead Tunnel, a mere 230 yards long, after which, you will eventually see Tibberton Top Lock No. 16, where you can moor up for the night.
You have cruised 10 miles and navigated 42 locks in just over 10 hours.
Day 3
Your first task today is navigating the Tibberton (or Offerton) Locks, then, after a pleasant and peaceful cruise, you will encounter Tolladine Lock No. 10 and Blackpole Lock No. 9. More locks follow at intervals, and soon you get to the last ones before reaching Lowesmoor Wharf – Gregory's Mill Locks.
You might like to moor up before the Gregory's Mill Locks, as about a mile or so walk away are shops including Lidl and MacDonalds, at Blackpole Road Trading Estate.
The cruise from here to Lowesmoor is lovely, with beautiful scenery. In the distance you can see Worcester Cathedral. There are allotments, and everyone waves and shouts out 'hello, as you cruise under weeping willow trees. If you are lucky, you may spot a heron or two.
As you approach Lowesmoor, there is an enormous bridge, then a sharp turn to the right, where you will soon see the sign for Worcester Marina. Do slow down here, as you will miss the winding hole, which is right at the entrance. You will then need to turn here for the return journey, and moor up at Summerhill Farm bridge No. 38, near Droitwich Spa.
You will then have cruised 12 miles and navigated 24 locks in just under 9¼ hours.
Day 4
Day 5
You are now on your return journey to Alvechurch.
All of the above moorings and places of interest are suggestions only, and you are free to create your own itinerary.
Enjoy your holiday!
This route is provided courtesy of UK Canal Boating
The information above is provided in good faith to assist you with planning your canal boat holiday. Information accuracy cannot be guaranteed.
