Page updated 18 October 2004 

The Worcester and Birmingham Canal

General

The Tow Path N97#2p143 N2k#2p143

The Blue Box in the 1997 edition, reported the Towpath "in good condition throughout, although some sections are a little bumpy for those on bicycles".  The 2000 edition only says "in pretty good condition throughout".

An October 2002 report confirms a previous update that said, "The towpath edge between Hanbury Wharf and Dunhampstead Tunnel is overgrown. (This applies in places all the way down to Worcester.)", adding "There are exposed roots along several stretches, notably between Astwood and Tibberton, making for an uncomfortable ride even on a mountain bike."

Worcester

River Severn

Worcester N97#2p142 N2k#2p142

See Updates to River Severn for details of about Water and Sanitary Station facilities.

Worcester N03#2p148

As the mile/lock indicators conventionally measure from intersections between waterways, on this waterway, they should measure from the intersection with the R Severn; NOT from Diglis Basin. Hence the counter to King's Norton should read 58L.

Diglis Basin N97#2p145 N2k#2p145

An update to the 1997 edition reported that The Anchor Inn (by the Basin):

"no longer sells real ale and only does snacks at lunch times.  Although children are welcome, unless the garden is open, it's not really suitable".

The 2000 edition says it's "friendly" rather than "pleasant" and lists Morrells and Marstons as well as Banks real ales!  Live music is now played at weekends and not just Sundays.

Sidbury Bridge N97#2p145 N2k#2p145

Cross the bridge, into City Walls Road, turn right into Friary Street, to find a whole street of pubs and restaurants for all dress codes and price ranges.  There is also a Chinese take away on the east side of Sidbury Bridge.  There are assorted visitor's moorings between Bridges 2 and 5.

Sidbury Lock N97#2p145

The Red Lion (adjacent to the lock) is closed down and boarded up.

Sidbury Lock N97#2p145 N2k#2p145

An update to the 1997 edition reported "The Kings Head is a Music Pub and doesn't do snacks in the evening", yet the 2000 edition description remains as before.

There is a good fish & chip shop with excellent kebabs near the Red Lion.

Blockhouse Lock N97#2p142 N2k#2p142

The top gate is difficult (heavy) to start opening.

Bridge 5A N97#2p142 N2k#2p142 N03#2p148

This new bridge is between Bridges 5 and 6.

Bridge 12 N97#2p145 N2k#2p145 N03#2p149

Cavalier Tavern - Under new management from the beginning of September 2004. Food is now available lunchtime and evenings. No longer serves any real ale (on 1st October the landlady said she had only been asked for real ale twice since taking over the pub).

Bilford Top Lock N97#2p142 N2k#2p142

One set of paddles has been found padlocked.  There is a shop 100 yards south of bridge by the lock.

Offerton Locks N97#2p143 N2k#2p143

When the pounds are full they overflow over some of the lock gates.  The top gates are higher than the bottom gates, thus the lock cannot be equalised with the pound above making opening the top gates very difficult indeed.

Tibberton N97#2p143 N2k#2p143 N97#2p145 N2k#2p145

There is a very small shop/Post Office in Tibberton.

The Speed the Plough was reported (2001) not to take credit cards but the food was "Good"! Another report (August 2002) said "The pub is spotlessly clean, nice beer, excellent home made food and the friendliest welcome I've had in any pub I can remember."

The Bridge Inn re-opened in 2001.  A sign outside said "Good food, new chef".  It accepts credit cards but at that time didn't have relevant signs on the doors or windows. A response (August 2002) to report about the Speed the Plough said "The Bridge is excellent as well. I was taken their for my birthday and the food was superb. Both pubs serve Banks's Mild and Bitter. The Bridge also serves Pedigree and a guest ale from the W&D range.

Bridge 30 N97#2p147 N2k#2p147 N03#2p153

The Firs Inn now calls itself the Fir Tree Inn, Banks's and guest beer (Greene King IPA on hand-pump Sept 2004). Good selection of reasonably-priced food which was excellent. On Sundays food is available 6:30pm - 9:00pm.

Dunhampton Tunnel to Hanbury Wharf N97#2p147 N2k#2p147

The canal in this area can become overgrown with reeds making passing difficult.  The towpath edge also becomes overgrown.

Bridge 35 N97#2p147 N2k#2p147 N03#2p153

There is a winding hole 300m NE of the bridge.

The Eagle and Sun: 1997 edition: "probably worth booking at weekends". 2000 edition: "It is essential to book". 2003 edition: "Booking is recommended". A July 2003 update suggests it should read "It is essential to book every day".

Hanbury Wharf N03#2p153

As the mile/lock indicators conventionally measure from intersections between waterways, on this waterway, they should measure from the intersection with the R Severn; NOT from Diglis Basin. Hence the counter to King's Norton should read 42L.

Bridges 41-42 N97#2p147 N2k#2p147

The Butchers Arms no longer exists - it is being converted into housing.

Bridge 44 N97#2p148 N2k#2p148 N2k#2p154

Tardebigge Dry Dock has no symbol west of the bridge, and not mentioned at all in the 1997 edition. The description on p151 (2000 edition, p157 2003 edition) should indicate that they provide shell building facilities, a chandlery and (cheap) diesel, at least.

Lock 23 N97#2p148 N2k#2p148

There are Refuse and Sewage disposal facilities at Stoke Bottom Lock.

Bridge 48 N97#2p150 N2k#2p150 N03#2p156

Queen's Head is now called "The Queens" and provides a carvery 7 days a week, together with a reasonable menu if you don't want the carvery.

Lock 57 N2k#2p150

The old engine house by the lock is no longer the pub, "Tyler's Lock on the Water".  There is a large pub, The Tardebigge, in the village, 600yds south-east of the tunnel on the B4096 (See the PH marked on the map - PH legends do not appear on the 2003 edition mapping. It's near the public telephone!). Turn right when you reach the road from the towpath, and follow it under the A448, the pub is immediately on the right. It has a "Wacky Warehouse" for children, food lunch-time and evenings. (Despite hand-pumps on the bar, no real ale was available September 2004.)

Tardebigge Wharf N03#2p155

As the mile/lock indicators conventionally measure from intersections between waterways, on this waterway, they should measure to the intersection with the R Severn; NOT from Diglis Basin. Hence the counter should read 58L.

Bridge 57 N97#2p149

The symbol is missing for the Dartline Cruisers (now Anglo-Welsh) boatyard. It's just North West of the bridge. The towpath diverts around it.

Bridge 58 N97#2p149

This is not shown and is 300 yards from the Western portal of Shortwoood Tunnel.

Scarfield Wharf N03#2p159

As the mile/lock indicators conventionally measure from intersections between waterways, on this waterway, they should measure to the intersection with the R Severn; NOT from Diglis Basin. Hence the counter should read 58L.

Scarfield Wharf N97#2p152 N2k#2p152

The Weighbridge, pub and restaurant, Tel: 0121 445 5111, is virtually canal-side by Bridge 60. Food is served at breakfast (book), lunch and evening (book Sunday lunch). Takeaways and sandwiches by prior arrangement. Children welcome. Garden. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Scarfield Wharf N03#2p159

As the mile/lock indicators conventionally measure from intersections between waterways, on this waterway, they should measure to the intersection with the R Severn; NOT from Diglis Basin. Hence the counter should read 58L.

Bridge 67 N97#2p153 N2k#2p153

Hopwood House provides Marstons Lambswick real ale (Sep. 2004), Excellent food 12:00 - 21:00. There is a large play area for the children.

Bridge 70 N97#2p155 N2k#2p155

The winding hole south of the bridge is too small to turn a 54ft boat. Both sides of the canal are brick lined here so there is no hope of pushing into the bank to get a few more inches. A 52ft boat should JUST be able to turn.

Bridge 71 N97#2p155 N2k#2p155 N03#2p161

There is no Sewage Disposal Point at the bridge (Wrong symbols in the 2000 and 2003 editions!) but there is a Refuse Disposal Point and the indicated Water Point.

King's Norton Junction

Stratford-on-Avon Canal

King's Norton Junction N03#2p155

As the mile/lock indicators conventionally measure from intersections between waterways, on this waterway, they should measure to the intersection with the R Severn; NOT from Diglis Basin. Hence the counter should read 58L.

Bourneville N97#2p154#3p138 N2k#2p154#3p138

An update to the 1997 edition said: "The moorings for Cadbury's World are not large and are actually further away than the moorings by the station - they have the advantage of a slope down to the road for wheelchairs/pushchairs.  Be warned it is a long walk to Cadbury's World and some of the sign-posting is not very good." (My correspondent thought the visit a rip-off!).  The main text of the 2000 edition ends with an ominous warning "... Beyond [Cadbury's Bourneville works] is Bournville Station, followed by a cutting. Don't leave your boat unattended in this area."

The 2000 edition reports new opening times for Cadbury World: Mon-Fri: 10:00-15:00, Sat/Sun: 09:30-16:00 (Restricted in winter - please telephone).

Bridge 80 N97#2p154#3p141 N2k#2p154#3p141

There is a useful Sainsburys just south of Bridge 80.

Bridge 88 N97#2p154#3p141 N2k#2p154#3p141

There is no longer a sanitary station at Holiday Wharf as the whole site is being redeveloped into canal-side housing.

Bridge 89 N97#2p154#3p141 N2k#2p154#3p141

A new footbridge was erected on the afternoon of 4 August 2000. It runs parallel to Bridge 88, where the canal turns through a right angle south of Gas Street Basin.  This allows access to a new development containing, among other enterprises, a tapas bar and a fish restaurant (imaginatively called 'FISH').  The Gas Street Basin visitor moorings (between the right-angled bend and Gas Street Basin) are noisier than they were as hordes of people walk past them in order to cross the new bridge.

Gas Street Basin

See BCN Main Line for updates.

BCN Main Line