Canal Boat Holiday Base Information - Base 42

Base 42 is near Worcester at the junction of the River Severn, Staffs & Worcs Canal and Worcs & Birmingham Canal. It is run by a large boat operator with high standards of service and is easily accessible by road or rail.

Worcester and Staffordshire (1 week)
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.

Stourport Ring (1 week)
83 Miles - 116 Locks - 8 hours cruising per day.

As above, you travel north up the River Severn to join the Staffs. & 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.

Worcester to Stratford-upon-Avon (1 week)
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 northeast 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.

Avon Ring (2 weeks)
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).

Short breaks - Weekend or Midweek

Most visitors taking a weekend break choose to cruise up the Worcester Birmingham Canal. This trip takes you north into rural Worcestershire where you pass through the very heart of 'Archers' country to the village of Stoke Prior. You are recommended to turn here and retrace your steps for a leisurely run back to Worcester. Your last night can be spent sampling the many and varied delights of this historic cathedral city.

For the longer midweek breaks, the popular choice is to cruise up the River Severn to the inland port of Stourport, where you join the idyllic Staffs & Worcs canal. You can enjoy seeing North Worcestershire at its best from this gently meandering canal, before turning to return to Worcester.