Page updated 7 September 2004 

The Stratford-on-Avon Canal

General

The Stratford upon Avon Canal Society launched its web site in July 2004.

King's Norton Junction

Worcester and Birmingham Canal

Bridge 2 N97#2p128#3p132 N2k#2p128#3p132

The bridge now appears to be left permanently open.  Previously, a user warned it was very heavy to operate and really needed two people to get it moving. The advice was that it was best started from the "wrong" side and then to run across and use the beam.

Bridge 3 N97#2p128#3p132 N2k#2p128#3p132

There have been reports of children jumping on boats at this bridge.

Bridge 3 N97#2p129#3p133 N2k#2p129#3p133

The Horse Shoe pub does not have moorings, despite its description.

Bridge 8 N97#2p129#3p133 N2k#2p129#3p133 N03#2p135#3p139

While the main text has remained constant in the three editions of Nicholson, the navigation note and mode of operation has not. Currently, a BW key is needed to activate the control panel - but don't force it or turn it too far!  A single push button then operates the stop lights, lowers the barriers and raises the bridge.  Once through, another button reverses the operation.  The bridge operates completely electrically, no windlass is required (as suggested in the 2000 edition).

Bridge 8 N97#2p129#3p133 N2k#2p129#3p133

The Drawbridge pub is now a Greenall's Dining pub.  The Annual Boat Rally, mentioned in the 1997 edition, is replaced in the 2000 edition, with the comments "Children welcome" and "moorings".  However, although it's permitted to moor right outside the Drawbridge pub, as the directions for operating the bridge tell you to wait in the narrows at its approach, at busy times it would be both inadvisable and inconsiderate to moor here, as boats may well stack up and need to put crew ashore or wait here for passage through the bridge  Further away from the pub the towpath was, in early 1999, in a poor condition without bollards and rings.

Bridge 12 N97#2p129#3p133 N2k#2p129#3p133

There is now a vast housing estate, on the off-side, extending from Bridge 11 to beyond Bridge 13.

Bridge 13 N97#2p129#3p133 N2k#2p129#3p133

The bridge was rebuilt in April 1999.

Dickens Heath Cutting

Bridge 19 N97#2p130#3p134 N2k#2p130#3p134

The Blue Bell Cider house by the bridge was "thoroughly recommended" by a user updating the 1997 edition.  The description in the 2000 edition drops reference to "Discos at week-ends" and instead says "It is a drinkers pub".

Bridge 20 N97#2p130#3p134 N2k#2p130#3p134

There is an excellent bakery about 100 yards on the north side of the canal.

Lapworth Flight

Lock 14 N97#2p130#3p134 N2k#2p130#3p134 N03#2p137#3p141

The "useful canal shop" (See the main text) by the lock (Wrongly specified as by Lock 13 in the 1997 edition) no longer sells groceries (except for milk and ice-cream) and bread/cakes. However there are shops south of Bridge 34.

Locks 14-15 N97#2p130#3p135

Between these locks there are 24hr BW moorings.  The water point and rubbish disposal facilities do not exist.

Locks 14-15 N97#2p131#3p135 N2k#2p131#3p135

The moorings between locks 14 and 15 are a convenient place for visiting Lapworth.  Mooring here to visit Warwick is also a good idea as it's only 12 minutes by train (and you don't have to do Hatton twice!).

Lock 18 N97#2p131#3p135 N2k#2p131#3p135

The best pub close to the Lapworth flight for both food and drink is the Navigation (tel:01564 783337), next to Bridge 65 on the GU, about 10 minutes walk from Lock 18.  It's mentioned in the "Good Pub Guide" and in Nicholson Guide #1 and Guide #3!  Children are welcome but be warned - it gets very busy.  The pub at Bridge 69 on the GU also does good food and drink and has a children's playground.

Locks 18-19 N97#2p131#3p135 N2k#2p131#3p135

A full off-licence is just past the railway bridge close to Locks 18 and 19 and a doctor's surgery is just up the road from the PO.

Lapworth N97#2p132#3p136 N2k#2p132#3p136 N03#2p138#3p142

The garage mentioned in the text sells the most expensive petrol you're likely to find.

Lock 19 N97#2p131#3p135 N2k#2p131#3p135 N03#2p137#3p141

The Water and Refuse Disposal points are located more accurately on the main map than the inset and are above the lock.

Lock 20 N97#2p130#3p135

The unlabelled Lock in the inset is Lock 20. (The Locks labelled 20-23 should be relabelled 21-24.)

Kingswood Junction

Grand Union Canal

Lock 22 N97#2p130#3p135 N2k#2p130#3p135 N03#2p137#3p141

The Water and Sewage Disposal Points shown east of Lock 23 are above Lock 22. The facilities include a self-operated pump-out. Showers and Laundrette are under construction (July 2003).

Lowsonford N97#2p133 N2k#2p133

The facilities listed for Lowsonford include stores just west of the lock.  These closed several years ago.

Preston Bagot N97#2p133 N2k#2p133

The Crab Mill Inn, a short distance west from Bridge 47A, is now an up-market restaurant rather than a pub.  Scruffy boaters may feel out of place, but it has been reported that the staff are very pleasant and the beer was good.  Reference to children's playthings in the garden have been deleted. The 2000 edition went so far as to say "It is probably better not to visit if you have children with you". The 2003 edition reinstates "Children welcome!" Closed on Sunday evenings! See: http://www.thecrabmill.co.uk

Wootton Wawen N97#2p135

The village name "Wootton Wawen" is mis-spelt on the map.

Wootton Wawen N2k#2p135

Aquatravel (Anglo-Welsh) (Tel: 01564 793427)has a boatyard at the Wharf. Sanitary Station, Pump-Out, Diesel, Narrowboat and Day boat hire books, gifts, maps.

Wootton Wawen N97#2p135 N2k#2p135 N03#2p141

There is room to wind at Wootton Wawen Basin, near the aqueduct.

Bridge 58 N97#2p135 N2k#2p135

There is a winding hole north of the bridge due west of the railway fork (Bearley West Junction).

Bridge 59 N97#2p135 N2k#2p135 N03#2p141

The Masons Arms is no longer "heavily overgrown" as all the creeper has been stripped off. "Still good food, though!" comments a contributor.

Lock 47 N97#2p136 N2k#2p136

The lock is quite narrow - boats of beam greater than 6'10" may jam.

Straford-upon-Avon

Lock 52 N97#2p137

There's no water point on the north bank above the lock.

Lock 52 N97#2p137 N2k#2p137 N97#2p26 N2k#2p26

Western Road Marina, the base of Stratford Court Cruisers, a time share boatyard, now exists around the sanitary station and water point on the south bank above the lock.  The BW Manager has said that the marina is supposed to leave sufficient space for private boaters to use these facilities.

Stratford Basin N97#2p136

The reference to Stratford Lock (for additional moorings if all in the Basin are taken) in the last line of the main text, should be to the Colin P. Witter Lock.

River Avon