Stoke Prior Base
| Situated in a lovely spot, Stoke Prior is the base for those who want a more active holiday, being at the bottom of the Tardebigge flight of locks. It is a base of contrasts, with routes taking in the Rivers Severn and Avon, as well as a number of different canals.
Equally it covers beautiful countryside as well as cities such as Birmingham and Worcester. Several rings can be completed from here, with the Stourport Ring being the most popular. |
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Suggested Routes From Stoke Prior1. STOURPORT RING76 Miles, 105 Locks, 1 Week Cruise, 6 hours per day (ROUTE A) Leaving Stoke Prior, you encounter the Tardebigge flight after which there is lock-free cruising to Gas Street Basin and the International Convention Centre, via the very pleasant University, Botanical Gardens and Cadbury World. Cutting through Netherton Tunnel to Merry Hill and the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, you encounter some beautiful countryside leading to the River Severn at Stourport. At Worcester you leave the Severn, and climb gently back to Stoke Prior through open countryside.
2. STOURTON AND RETURN76 Miles, 82 Locks, 1 Week Cruise, 6 hours per day (ROUTE B) This is the most leisurely route from Stoke Prior travelling south to Worcester, turning upstream onto the River Severn, past Worcester Cathedral and cruising along the picturesque river for the next 13 miles. There are three manned river locks on the journey to Stourport on Severn, before changing to the Staffordshire & Worcester Canal. On the way to Stourton the Cookley and Kinver areas must be one of the most beautiful lengths of canal in the country – turn at Stourton and return on the same route to Stoke Prior
3. AVON RING120 Miles, 130 Locks, 2 Week Cruise, 5 hours per day (ROUTE C) Up the Tardebigge flight to the North Stratford Canal at Kings Norton, and onto the South Stratford Canal, where the canal character changes with split bridges and ‘barrelroofed’ cottages. At Stratford you can moor opposite the theatre before joining the River Avon. The Avon, different again, meanders down to Tewkesbury, through Evesham where you join the River Severn for a short trip up to Worcester, before returning home. Avon Licence required. An easy two week trip.
4. WARWICKSHIRE RING130 Miles, 190 Locks, 2 Week Cruise, 6 hours per day (ROUTE D) Up the Tardebigge flight to the North Stratford Canal at Kings Norton, you will then continue to the Grand Union Canal. Travelling South, you progress through the Hatton Flight, via Warwick and Leamington Spa to Napton and Braunston. From Braunston, you travel on the North Oxford & Coventry Canal to Fazeley (perhaps taking in the Ashby Canal or Coventry itself), and then head into the centre of Birmingham via Farmer’s Bridge locks. Home down the Worcester & Birmingham Canal via Tardebigge. A more active fortnight.
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