The Worcester and Birmingham Canal is a historic waterway in England, stretching approximately 30 miles from Worcester to Birmingham. Opened in 1815, the canal was built to facilitate the transport of goods, particularly coal and limestone, between the industrial heart of Birmingham and the River Severn at Worcester.
This canal features a total of 58 locks, including the impressive Lapal Tunnel, which is the longest canal tunnel in the West Midlands at over 2,500 yards. Boaters can navigate through a picturesque landscape of rolling countryside, charming villages, and industrial heritage, with highlights like the vibrant Gas Street Basin in Birmingham and the scenic Diglis Basin in Worcester.
The Worcester and Birmingham Canal connects with several other waterways, including the River Severn at Worcester and the Birmingham Canal Navigations, providing boaters with access to a larger network of navigable waters. The canal is also home to various interesting features, such as historic bridges, aqueducts, and lock cottages, offering a glimpse into the canal’s storied past while providing a serene environment for leisurely cruising and wildlife spotting. Its blend of natural beauty and historical significance makes the Worcester and Birmingham Canal a delightful route for boating enthusiasts.
Canal Specification
| Max Boat Length | 70ft |
| Max Boat Width | 7ft |
| Number of Locks | 58 |
| Length | 29 miles (47 km) |
Youtube Videos
- Tales From The SwansNeck – Episode 47 – Locked Out. The worcester and Birmingham Canal part one
- Tales From The SwansNeck – Episode 48 Captain Hornblower
- Minimal List – 110 – Runaground on a Three Tunnel Day
- Minimal List – 111 – The Bigge One – Tardebigge – 30 Locks in One Flight
- Minimal List – 112 – An unexpected change of plans!
- Minimal List – 113 – Traffic Jams and Impatient Boaters
River/Canal Route Planning
If you are looking for a canal/river route planner, we recommend Canal Plan, we use it to plan our routes, and then once we have a plan our maps are useful to find what else there is on the way