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If you choose our Worcester Hire Base, you
will start your holiday at Lowesmoor Wharf, once the bustling
centre of the city's canal trade.
 Worcester
became prosperous because of its position on the River Severn
- first as one of the few river crossings and later as a staging
post for river traffic. With the advent of the canal age,
Worcester soon found itself linked to the rest of Britain's
canals via the Worcester Birmingham Canal and so today finds
itself at the hub of what is now the holiday cruising network.
It is conveniently placed for access to the Worcester Birmingham
Canal, the Staffs. and Worcs. Canal, the Stratford on Avon
Canal and the rivers Severn and Avon, offering cruising through
some of the prettiest and most interesting areas of Britain.
Directions
to the base by car or public transport.
Worcester
City Website
Click here
for our Cruising Guides
| Tour
1
| The
ideal trip for newcomers. A one week 'out and back'
cruise offering great variety, including boating along
part of the River Severn, and a journey up the delightful
Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal. You can set
your own pace and enjoy the beautiful Worcestershire
countryside. |
| Tour
2 |
A
rather more energetic run that takes you on a circular
route thereby avoiding the need to retrace your steps.
Great countryside, plenty of locks to keep you busy
and a number of wonderful attractions along the way.
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| Tour
3 |
A
truly pastoral route almost entirely based on the Rivers
Severn and Avon. Please note that an additional licence
is required to cruise on the River Avon (£44 in 2004).
We do not recommend this route during the early or late
part of the season as river levels can be unpredictable.
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| Tour
4 |
A
varied two week circular trip that combines river cruising
on the Severn and Avon with canal cruising. We do not
recommend this route during the early or late part of
the season as river levels can be unpredictable. |
Tour
1 (1 week)
Worcester and Staffordshire
78 Miles - 80 Locks - 4+ hours cruising per day.
 Passing
through Worcester by canal, you join the River Severn
for a leisurely cruise up to Stourport where you join
the Staffs. and Worcs. 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 past dramatic sandstone rocks
and through the beautifully preserved Bratch locks
towards Autherley Junction. 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.
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| Tour
2 (1 week)
Stourport Ring
83 Miles - 116 Locks - 8 hours cruising per day
As with tour 1, you travel north up the River
Severn to join the Staffs. and Worcs. Canal at Stourport.
You continue up this scenic contour-hugging
canal to Stourton Junction where you branch off to
Birmingham via the impressive Netherton tunnel. A
visit to the award winning Black Country Museum is
well worth some time before you cruise on through
Birmingham (National Sea-life Centre and City Centre)
to meet up with the Worcester Birmigham Canal. This
canal brings you past Bournville (Cadbury World) and
finally down the Tardebigge flight of locks to Worcester,
passing through idyllic open countryside. |
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Tour
3 (1 week)
Worcester to Stratford-upon-Avon
100 Miles - 44 Locks - 6 hours cruising per day
From Worcester you head down the River Severn
to Tewkesbury where you join the Warwickshire Avon.
The Avon takes you north-east through the rich fertile
countryside of South Worcestershire. Along the way
you can visit the delightful market towns of Pershore,
Evesham and Bidford-on-Avon before finally arriving
at Stratford itself. On your journey to Stratford
you will almost certainly have earmarked places for
exploration on the way back - something to look forward
to as you embark on a return journey that will open
up new perspectives of the delightful Warwickshire
and Worcestershire countryside. |
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| Tour
4 (2 weeks)
Avon Ring
109 Miles - 129 Locks -5 hours per day
This trip follows the same outward route
as Tour 3, via the Rivers Severn and Avon to Stratford-upon-Avon.
You then leave the river to re-join the canal system
and travel up the Stratford -upon-Avon Canal to Kings
Norton Junction. This canal is characterised by its
unique split bridges and barrel roofed cottages. At
Kings Norton you turn left onto the Worcester Birmingham
Canal, this brings you back to Worcester by way of
the Tardebigge flight of locks and the rolling open
countryside of North Worcestershire. Please note that
an additional licence is required for the River Avon
(£42 in 2000).
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