Stoke
Prior: Worcester & Birmingham Canal
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Boat Availability |
Sat 2.30pm - Tues 9.30am | Tues 2.30pm - Sat 9.30am |
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Fri 2.30pm - Mon 9.30am | Mon 2.30pm - Fri 9.30am
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Situated in a lovely spot, Stoke Prior is a canal boat hire base that offers plenty of options. Enjoy a relaxing short break to Worcester and take in the new Droitwich ring, or choose from a variety of routes along the Stourport Ring, the Avon Ring and the Warwickshire Ring, where you can visit cities such as Birmingham and Stratford-Upon-Avon. For those that like a challenge the Tardebigge locks are nearby – the longest flight of locks in the UK, totalling 30 !
Click
here for Base Information
Suggested Routes From Stoke Prior
Route A | Route B | Route C | Route D
Click here for larger image
1.
THE STOURPORT RING - ROUTE A
76 Miles, 105 Locks, 1 Week Cruise, 6 hours per day
The Stourport Ring canal boat holiday leaves the Black Prince base at Stoke Prior for the Tardebigge flight, the longest run of locks in the UK, most of which date from the early 19th century. Once you’re past these, you will enjoy lock-free cruising to the Gas Street Basin, situated in the centre of Birmingham, just a short journey from the International Convention Centre. Its location – sandwiched between the Mailbox and Brindleyplace developments – means it is just a short walk from a variety of shops, bars and restaurants. This area is also popular for various cultural attractions including the Symphony Hall, museums and art galleries.
You can also stop off at the pleasant University, Botanical Gardens and Cadbury World. The Botanical Gardens are particularly stunning. They opened in 1832, span 15 acres and house over 7000 plants. They are the home of the British National Bonsai Collection and also host a variety of events and exhibitions for all the family.
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, Cadbury World is a must: learn how Cadbury’s chocolate is made and even play in chocolate rain. There are 14 zones to explore so be sure to leave plenty of time to see everything.
After leaving Birmingham, cut through Netherton Tunnel to Merry Hill and the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, encountering beautiful countryside in the process. The Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal is one of the most historic in the country. It was originally built in 1771 to transport trade from the Potteries to Gloucester and Bristol and has retained many of its original structures.
This canal leads you to the River Severn at Stourport. The riverside here boasts a wide range of activities for all the family against the beautiful backdrop of the Severn Valley. The basin area is brilliant for boat fanatics. Against a backdrop of listed Georgian warehouses, it holds nearly 100 narrow boats and yachts.
At Worcester you leave the Severn and climb gently back to Stoke Prior through open countryside.
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2.
STOURTON & RETURN - ROUTE B
76 Miles, 82 Locks, 1 Week Cruise, 7 hours per day
This week-long cruise takes the most leisurely route available from our Stoke Prior base, to Stourton by way of beautiful canal views, historic towns and cities. Firstly, you travel south to Worcester, a city of great historical significance. It was the location of the final battle of the English Civil War, where Oliver Cromwell’s Army defeated King Charles II’s Cavaliers. The River Severn bisects the centre of the city, which is overlooked by stunning Worcester Cathedral, originally built in the 12th century. The city is also renowned for its important position in the manufacturing and glove making industries during the 18th and 19th centuries.
You turn upstream on to the river Severn, passing the Cathedral before cruising along the picturesque river for the next 13 miles. The River Severn is the longest river in Great Britain, running for around 220 miles, and this stretch is among the most beautiful areas. There are three manned river locks on the journey to Stourport on Severn. Stourport is a Georgian town in the heart of the Severn Valley. You can go on a tour of the famous Stourport Canal Basins, perfect for the boat fanatic, whilst the Riverside area offers activities for the whole family.
After spending time in Stourport, you join the Staffordshire & Worcester Canal.
On the journey to Stourton, you will pass the Cookley and Kinver areas, which make up one of the most beautiful lengths of canal in the country. Kinver is a large and picturesque village that offers an ancient church dating from the 12th century and a pub built in the 14th century.
The main attraction in Stourton is its Castle, once a medieval hunting lodge that was one of the King’s houses during the reign of Henry II, before becoming classified as a castle in 1122. It was remodelled in the mid 19th century and retains its late medieval gate tower.
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3.
THE AVON RING - ROUTE C
120 Miles, 130 Locks, 2 Week Cruise, 5 hours per day
This is an easy and relaxed two-week canal boat holiday following the Avon Ring from our Stoke Prior narrowboat hire base. You will require an Avon Licence to follow the route, which you can buy via Black Prince.
You will begin by heading up the Tardebigge flight – the longest flight of locks in the UK – to the North Stratford Canal at Kings Norton.
Kings Norton is the home of a 13th century church, St Nicholas’, and from there you can walk to the green to see the town’s three medieval buildings. Kings Norton was also at the centre of some skirmishes during the English Civil War.
You then head on to the South Stratford Canal, where the canal’s character changes, with split bridges and ‘barrel roofed’ cottages becoming a feature.
At Stratford you can moor opposite the theatre before joining the River Avon. Stratford-Upon-Avon is one of the UK’s most important cultural areas, and is mainly celebrated as the birthplace of playwright William Shakespeare. Stratford is home to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and boasts over three million visitors each year. The town also offers stunning riverside views and perfectly preserved architecture. A must visit.
The Avon then meanders down to Tewkesbury, before passing through Evesham, where you join the River Severn for a short trip up to Worcester.
Evesham is a market town that sits between Worcester and Stratford Upon Avon. It once housed the third biggest Abbey in England, which was founded in the year 701. Despite its destruction during the dissolution of the monasteries, its lovely bell tower remains and is well worth visiting. Now known as the Almonry Heritage Centre, it features exhibitions about the Abbey, the battle of Evesham in 1265, horticulture in the area, Anglo-Saxon burial treasure, 18th Century clothing and the impact of war upon this little market town. For children, this is a wonderful place full of exciting treasures to discover and during school holidays Activity Packs are available with trails, puzzles and crafts for children to do.
Worcester is a beautiful city of historical importance. It was here that Oliver Cromwell’s army defeated the Cavaliers of King Charles II in the final battle of the English Civil War. The city is bisected by the River Severn and is overlooked by its beautiful 12th century cathedral. Worcester is also renowned for its prominence in the manufacturing and glove making industries of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Click here for larger image
4.
WARWICKSHIRE RING - ROUTE D
130 Miles, 190 Locks, 2 Week Cruise, 6 hours per day
This active canal boat cruise along the Warwickshire Ring begins at the Black Prince Stoke Prior base before heading up the Tardebigge flight, the longest run of locks in the UK, towards the North Stratford Canal at Kings Norton. Kings Norton boasts St Nicholas’ church, which dates from the 13th century, and three medieval buildings can be found on its green.
After taking a look around Kings Norton, you will continue to the Grand Union Canal, the longest canal in England at 286 miles.
Travelling south, you progress through the Hatton Flight, an area of 21 locks that was once a crucial highway of the Industrial Revolution. The area is now more commonly seen as a recreational area and as a corridor for wildlife.
Your journey will then take you via Warwick and Leamington Spa to Napton and Braunston. Warwick is famous for its 11th century castle, which is very popular with tourists. The castle puts on a great range of entertainment, from live actor experiences to bird shows, archery displays and jousting.
Leamington Spa is a town more popular for contemporary activities, such as live music, galleries and cinemas, whilst Napton and Braunston are both picturesque little villages.
From Braunston, you travel on the North Oxford & Coventry Canal to Fazeley. It is here you can perhaps take in the beautiful and slumberous Ashby canal or the bustling city of Coventry if you have the time.
A trip to Coventry is worthwhile to see the remains of its 14th century cathedral, which was destroyed during the Second World War. The city also features the Midland Air Museum, Herbert Art Galley and Coventry Transport Museum.
You can then head into the centre of Birmingham via Farmer’s Bridge locks. The centre of Birmingham provides a variety of cultural and modern day attractions for all of the family, including the Symphony Hall and International Convention Centre, as well as a plethora of shops, bars, restaurants, theatres and cinemas.
After travelling through Birmingham you head home, back down the Worcester & Birmingham Canal via Tardebigge.
Stoke
Prior Base Information
| Hotels
/ Guest Houses |
The Vernon,
Droitwich Road, Hanbury, Worcs. B60 4DB,
Telephone: 01527 821236
www.thevernonhanbury.com
Price
Guide: Double Rooms £85-105 per night / Twin rooms £95 per night / Single room £65 per night
All inclusive of breakfast.
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Premier
Travel Inn - Swann Inn, Worcester
Road, Upton Warren, Bromsgrove.
Telephone: 0870 990 6408
www.premiertravelinn.com
Price Guide: Double
and Single rooms - from £55 excluding
breakfast
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| Public
Transport |
Nearest
Railway Station: Bromsgrove / Droitwich (a little further but with a taxi rank)
www.nationalrail.co.uk Tel: 08457 484950
www.thetrainline.com Tel: 0871 244 1545
Nearest Airport: Birmingham
International Tel. 0121 767 5511
www.bhx.co.uk
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| Taxi
/ Minicabs |
The
People Carriers: Telephone : 01527
578600 www.thepeoplecarriers.com
BNC Taxi: Telephone : 01527 871485
His & Hers Taxis: Telephone : 01527
873008
Example Prices:
Birmingham New Street station to the base at Stoke Prior would
be approx. £35
Birmingham International Airport to the base at Stoke Prior
would be approx. £50
London Heathrow or Manchester Airport to the base at Stoke
Prior would be approx. £150
London Gatwick or Stanstead Airport to the base at Stoke Prior
would be approx. £200
(Prices courtesy of The People Carriers - Subject to change)
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| Car
Hire |
Hertz Car Hire has depots throughout the UK (including main airports). We have an exclusive agreement with
Hertz who will provide reduced rates for all Black Prince customers. Drop-offs, collections and one-ways are
all available, allowing you to pick up a car at your arrival point and request a car to be waiting at the end of
your holiday for onward travel. To book your car visit www.hertz.co.uk or call 0870 844 4844 and quote CDP
69481
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| Flying
into London |
From Heathrow airport - get the London underground tube to Euston station.
From Gatwick airport - get the Gatwick Express to London Victoria station, then get a London underground tube to London Euston.
From Stansted airport - get the London underground tube to London Euston.
From London Euston - there is a train to Birmingham New Street station. You can then get a train to Bromsgrove.
Visit www.tfl.gov.uk to plan your route on the London Underground.
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| Flying
into Birmingham |
Get a train to Birmingham New Street station, and then get a train to Bromsgrove.
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| How
To Find Us (By Car) |
| From
the North: Come off the M5 at Junction 5 and take the A38 North towards Bromsgrove. After approximately 2 ˝ miles, turn right at the traffic lights into Hanbury Road (B4091). After the railway bridge, the base is just past the Navigation Pub on the left before you get to the canal bridge.
From
the South: M40 motorway then M42 (West) motorway
onto M5 (South) motorway. Exit at Junction 5
and proceed as above.
www.theaa.com/route-planner
Groceries
There is a large Morrison’s supermarket near the base with a petrol station. |
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Black
Prince Narrowboat Hire - Stoke Prior Base Information
