Worcester and Birmingham Canal

Worcester and Birmingham Canal

LaunchesPublic RoutesKnown HazardsParking
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WATERWAYS LICENCES

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Canal Licensing Information

Licence Required?

Yes - included in British Canoeing Membership

License Authority

Canal and River Trust

One of the longer canals in Birmingham, the Worcester and Birmingham canal measures 30 miles and has a total of 58 locks along the route. Starting at Worcester as an ‘offshoot’ of the River Severn, the canal travels all the way into the centre of Birmingham to Gas Street Basin. The basin is a brilliant place to stop off and explore with ample shops and eateries. As an alternative ‘park and ride’ option, why not park on the outskirts somewhere and paddle into the basin? There’s plenty of places right by the canal that provide takeout options. If you want to avoid the bulk of the locks, 30 of them are located at Tardebigge Locks so make sure you paddle around this section!

Anything else to note? Well, it’s worth mentioning you’ll paddle past Cadbury World. Now an interactive museum, the site used to be where Cadburys chocolate was produced and the whiff of sugar is still in the air, so make sure you take snacks for the cravings! Canal lovers will also enjoy paddling under or portaging around the incredible Guillotine Lock at Kings Norton Junction, where the canal meets the Stratford-upon-Avon canal.