Often referred to as the 'Curly Wyrley', the Wyrley and Essington Canal flows through suburbs, countryside and mining heritage. It's 16 miles long with no locks to portage. Opened in 1797, the canal once provided a vital link for the coal fields in the area. Its nickname ‘the Curley Wyrley’…
At just 1.2 miles long but with 6 locks in this short space, the Titford canal boasts the title of highest point on the Birmingham canal network. The short canal houses ‘the crow’ a flight of locks which takes you to the highest point on the network, and connects the…
Did you know? Birmingham has more waterways than Venice. When you start to study the map around Birmingham on the PaddlePoints site you’ll see that to be true! Birmingham is literally bursting with canals all ready for you to explore. The Rushall Canal is one of the Birmingham canal navigations,…
One of the many Birmingham Canals, the Tame Valley Canal is your passage to another world in a busy city. The secret garden of the canal world, the secluded Tame Valley Canal is teaming with wildlife. Flanked by towering embankments and deep cuttings, it provides you with a very mystical…
The Birmingham and Fazeley canal is rather typical of many canals. It speaks the language of the industrial revolution and keeps the yesteryear heritage alive. The canal is 15 miles long, has a whopping 38 locks along it, and links to the Coventry Canal at Tamworth. It then climbs its…
Once a canal thought to be lost forever. As you paddle along the Walsall canal you'll appreciate the hard work of volunteers to get it back to its former glory. The canal is an integral cog in the Birmingham canal network and runs for 8 miles. There are 8 locks…
The 137-mile Grand Union Canal stretches from Birmingham to London. Along its length it has an impressive 158 locks. Sprawling through impressive, lush countryside, the Grand Union is a great place for a multi-day adventure. It's also a great place for those looking for more of a touring challenging. Flowing…
Running for 38 miles in the West Midlands, the Coventry Canal is one of the great survivors of the canal network. After heavy bombing during the blitz, it almost didn’t survive. In fact, if it wasn’t for a group of hard working volunteers, the canal would have been lost years…
The Birmingham and Wolverhampton Canal, known as the Old Main Line, is a 14 mile long stretch of canal. It links Birmingham with Wolverhampton, with the help of 24 locks. A historically rich stretch to paddle along, it takes you through the heart of the Black Country. As you paddle…
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 Wednesbury Old canal is a part of the Birmingham canal navigation. Just 1.2 miles long and with several bridges along the route, it links Swan Village with the New Mainline at Pudding Green, and meets the Walsall Canal at Ryders Green Top Lock. From here you can travel throughout…
Birmingham Canal Navigations. There are over 100 miles of canal in Birmingham. So, if you live in the city or surrounding area, there is no excuse to not get out on the water. It’s one of the most accessible cities by water in the UK! Find our routes below: Navigations,…
An eclectic mix of canal, the Dudley Canal has three striking features. Firstly, the canal is actually split into two parts. Secondly, it features the famous Dudley tunnel. Dudley's No1 Canal is 4.6 miles in length with 12 locks along it. This part of the canal joins the Stourbridge Canal…
The Trent and Mersey canal is one of the longest canals in the country. Stretching 93 miles from Cheshire, through Staffordshire and Derbyshire, it’s a stretch that can be paddled from many different access points. There’s something for everyone along the Trent and Mersey canal. And, like many of the…
Grade: 1 (up to 2 in parts in high waters) Distance: 94.8 miles The 3rd longest river in the UK at 185 miles long, the River Trent is one of the major rivers in the Midlands. The river rises in the Staffordshire moors and flows through much of the midlands…
A lovely way to explore the West Midlands countryside, the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal skirts around Birmingham but never really becomes urban. Great for those situated close to the city but wanting a little peace and quiet on their paddle! The canal is 46 miles long with 43 locks along…
A lock heavy section of canal, the Stratford Canal is a great paddle for those looking to build up their portage strength. OK, we’re joking. But in all seriousness, if you do paddle along the Stratford canal be prepared for a portage or two. This is because this 26 mile…
Measuring 66 miles with 47 locks, the Shropshire Union canal makes its way from Wolverhampton to Ellesmere Port. Much of the canal cutting through the beautiful Cheshire countryside as it goes. The canal is isolated and rural but charming at the same time and with no town for often miles…
The Stourbridge Canal is a 6 mile long stretch of canal, linking Dudley No1 Canal with the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. An important part of the puzzle in the maze that is the Birmingham canal network! There are 16 locks along the Stourbridge Canal in total, with most of them…
The Ashby Canal, (or Ashby-de-la-Zouch canal officially, despite never quite reaching the town) is a canal that keeps on giving in terms of flora, fauna and history! Along it’s 22 mile stretch there are no locks, which means no portages along this beautiful stretch either… another win. So what makes…
Meandering through the countryside, the Oxford Canal is a great way of seeing the Oxfordshire countryside. You’ll paddle through pretty little chocolate box villages including Thrupp, Cropredy and Aynhu over the 75 mile stretch of canal with 46 locks. The canal begins in the very centre of Oxford, treating you…
A principal river of the Peak District National Park, the River Dove is probably most famous for the stepping stones across it at Dovedale. This 45-mile stretch of river actually offers much more than stepping stones and a great view of Thorpe Cloud. Rising in the moors near Buxton, the…
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