Birmingham & Black Country No.3: Bentley Bridge to Dudley Canal Trust Paddle Trail

2-4 hours

Duration

7 miles

Distance

One Way

Easy

Difficulty

WV11 1BP

Start Postcode

DY1 4SB

End Postcode

A. Start at Bentley Bridge Retail Park. After an easy launch, head left following the canal South West. Arrive at Horseley Fields Junction in around 1.25 miles. Here the Wryley & Essington Canal meets the Birmingham Mainline.

B. At the junction, Pass the old boat dock and narrows, turn left onto the Birmingham Old Main Line and begin the journey south east towards Birmingham city centre and away from Wolverhampton.

C. At around 1.6 miles is Chillington Wharf, a former rail to canal transfer with an overhead crane, now Grade 2 listed.

D. 4.2 miles in you will reach Deepfields Junction. The canal to the left is Bradley Canal, which originally linked to the Walsall Canal but now terminates at the CRT Regional Workshops. Here lock gates and boats are crafted in the workshops. Keep to the right fork.

E. Past Deepfields Junction, a short way on is Coseley Tunnel; 325m long, two boats wide and with a double towpath. Paddlers must adhere to guidelines on usage of tunnels by unpowered craft.

F. On leaving the tunnel, continue to Factory Junction at just under six miles. At the junction, head right, away from the locks, past Malthouse Stables Activity Centre (R).

G. A quarter of a mile further brings you past a small memorial garden for William Perry aka the Tipton Slasher. Look out for the Fountain Inn on the opposite side of the canal.

H. Continue along the canal a short way until the next junction. Head straight ahead (right hand fork) to the Dudley Tunnel Branch, under bridges and into the Dudley Canal Trust.

Discover More

This is trail 3 of 6 in a series, developed in conjunction with the Canal & Rivers Trust, which run through Birmingham and the Black Country. The trails are a variety of lengths and can be paddled at your leisure. Explore just one, or complete all six in a multi-day expedition.

This trail takes the course through some of the canal network’s most important industrial heritage. The Main Line canal from Birmingham was originally planned to bring coal for the city’s industry from the Wednesday coalfields, but it was soon realized that a link down from the Birmingham plateau was needed to get finished goods around the country.

By 1772, this entire canal was completed to Wolverhampton and down 20 locks to Aldersley Junction, linking Birmingham with the River Severn and many opportunities for trade.

The opening of the Dudley Tunnel created another important route to Stourbridge and its glass industry. It was later modernised with the arrow-straight Netherton Tunnel; 3027 yards long. Due to their length, both tunnels are closed to unpowered craft. The Netherton is, however, opened to canoeists on certain dates in the year.

William Perry, aka the Tipton Slasher, was a champion boxer in the 1850s. Born to canal narrowboat parents, he was also the landlord of many local pubs, one of which being the Fountain Inn. Quite the local celebrity, his remains now lie at the foot of the memorial you pass.

Access/egress/parking and possible bunkhouse accommodation can be arranged with Malthouse Stables. Tel: 0121 520 7861

Although this part of the Black Country is largely urban and industrial in nature, this area now boasts the longest nature reserve in Europe. This route winds its way along the final stretch of the Wyrley and Essington, through Wolverhampton, finally joining the Birmingham Main Line.

Licence Information

The waterways in this trail are managed by the Canal & River Trust, and it is a requirement for paddlers to hold a licence. Paddle UK’s On The Water membership includes an annual licence for here as well as other waterways.

When paddling, have your membership card with you as proof of licence; otherwise, you could face a fine. Get your digital membership card straight away with your licence and liability insurance included from www.paddleuk.org.uk.

JOIN PADDLE UK

Safety Information

We want you to have fun and a safe paddle! Here are some helpful tips to ensure you paddle responsibly and stay safe on your journey. Please take a moment to review these important safety tips:

Tunnels: In tunnels, you must use a forward facing brightlight(such as a head torch).

– Always wear a correctly sized buoyancy aid

– Carry a mobile phone – in a waterproof case

– Tell Someone Where You’re Going

– Check the weather and conditions

– Know your limits

Check out some useful blogs and e-learnings on how to keep safe

Environment

Wherever and however you paddle, our Paddlers’ Code helps to ensure we can all enjoy and share the water safely and protect our precious environment.

Don’t get sick doing what you love. We know water quality is a concern for many paddlers. Click here for some simple advice on water quality and how to protect yourself.

Get informed, stay safe and make good decisions by checking the National Storm Overflow Map

Paddlers can play a vital role in keeping our waters free of harmful non-native species. It is crucial you Check, Clean and Dry you boat and equipment to prevent the spread. Click here for more information on Invasive Non-Native Species.

For more environmental advice and guidance, see our Blue Space Blogs section on the Paddle UK website.