The Stourport Ring

Cruise the Stourport Ring to experience a diverse range of landscapes, including picturesque countryside and industrial heritage sites

The route passes through charming villages, historic towns and industrial heritage sites, offering plenty of opportunities for scenic vistas and exploration.

The route travels 104 miles through 121 locks and takes around 44 hours.  It takes in sections of the Staffordshire & Worcestershire, Worcester & Birmingham, Birmingham Main Line and Stourbridge canals, as well as a short section of the River Severn, Britain’s longest river.

Highlights include: Gas Street Basin and Brindleyplace in central Birmingham; Kinver with its National Trust rock houses; the City of Worcester with its magnificent cathedral; beautiful views of the open countryside along the River Severn; the Stourport Basins; the dramatic flight of 30 locks at Tardebigge, the longest in the country; and the 21 locks at Wolverhampton.

Route details

It’s recommended to travel the route anti-clockwise.  Starting at Gas Street Basin transfer onto the Birmingham Canal Main Line heading North West towards Wolverhampton.

The route continues lock-free for a while, passing through Cosely Tunnel, then Wolverhampton Tunnel.  After the tunnel, there are visitor moorings for exploring Wolverhampton, including its Grand Theatre and the fantastic Pop Art collection at its Art Gallery.

The Wolverhampton flight of 21 locks is next to negotiate, which takes around four hours.  Then you’ll reach Aldersley Junction and the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal.

Six miles and another six locks later, you’ll reach Bratch Top Lock and pumping station in the pretty village of Wombourne, with its popular Railway Café and choice of village pubs.

A mile later, the canalside Waggon & Horses pub with a large beer garden, is a welcome stopping place.

After another eight locks, you’ll reach Stourton Junction, where the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal meets the Stourbridge Canal.  From here, it’s an eight-hour journey on to Stourport.  You’ll travel through 13 locks, past Kinver with access to the National Trust’s intriguing Kinver Rock Houses.  And the historic market town of Kidderminster, with canalside dining at The Watermill and The Lock Inn.

At Stourport, once a busy inland port, you can explore the basins by following circular walks, and enjoy dining at the Bird in Hand, Windlass Café or Rising Sun Inn.

Next there’s a 12-mile section of the River Severn to travel along to reach the beautiful Cathedral City of Worcester.  Here the Stourport Ring route transfers boaters back onto the Worcester & Birmingham Canal at Diglis Basin in the heart of the city.  Worcester has many splendid buildings, including its spectacular Cathedral – with medieval cloisters, ancient crypt and magnificent stained glass.

Now on the last leg of the journey, the Worcester & Birmingham Canal takes you out of Worcester and steadily upwards through rolling fields and wooded cuttings.  You’ll pass through the village of Tibberton, with its Bridge Inn.

Dunhampstead Tunnel is next and then Hanbury Wharf, where the Droitwich Canal meets the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.

After travelling through the Stoke flight of six locks you can rest at The Queen’s Head at Stoke Pound, before tackling the mighty Tardebigge flight of 30 locks. One of the largest flights in Europe, these locks take the canal up 67 metres over a two-and-a-quarter mile stretch.

Continue heading north up the Worcester & Birmingham Canal to return to Gas Street Basin.