The Mid Worcestershire Ring From Worcester.php Canal Boating Cruising Route

Mid Worcestershire Ring 3 night short break round trip up the River Severn and along the newly opened Droitwich canal.

This trip can only be undertaken if the Severn is not in flood.

The Mid Worcestershire Ring From Worcester.php cruising route map

DAY 1

Turn right out of Lowesmoor wharf down the Birmingham & Worcester canal & soon you will encounter 2 locks, one called Blockhouse lock, followed by Sidbury lock. which will get you into the swing of things. It takes about an hour to get to Diglis basin, and if time is passing it is best to stop there for the night, and then you will have time to explore the city of Worcester. There is a water point just above Diglis lock.

The marina is a short walk from the City centre, where you can explore the lovely cathedral dating from 1074. There is a wealth of stained glass and monuments to see including the tomb of King John. Also a good place to visit is the Museum of Worcester Porcelain, which not surprisingly has the largest collection of Worcester Porcelain in the world. The Guildhall in the High street was built in 1721 and has a fantastic elaborate facade with statues of Charles I and II and Queen Anne.

In Friar Street is Greyfriars, dating from 1480, this was one part of a Franciscan priory, and is one of the finest half timbered houses in the country. Charles II escaped from this house after the Battle of Worcester in the civil war in 1651. In the George Marshall Medical museum you can meet the past heroes of medicine. Regular bus service from Crowngate Bus station.

Close to Sidbury lock is the Commandery Civil war Centre, a museum devoted entirely to the story of the Civil War, The museum dates from the reign of Henry 8th and served as Charles 11's HQ before the Battle of Worcester in 1651.

It should take 1 hour from Lowesmoor to Diglis basin

DAY 2

From Diglis basin you enter the Diglis locks- 2 deep locks which take you out onto the River Severn. The locks are under the supervision of the lock-keeper, who should tell you whether it is alright to proceed onto the River Severn, but to make sure look out for the red, amber and green water level gauge to see if the Severn is in flood or not.

After coming out of the last lock onto the Severn, it is best to head towards the far bank heading south(in the opposite direction to which you will be headed) and then turn the boat to pick up your crew from the pontoon near the lock. So you do a half circle anti clockwise, the river is very wide so it is easy to do.

Heading upstream the River passes the imposing cathedral and then the fine five arched bridge. The famous racecourse is on your right, and there are moorings here, also a water point.

The River winds through pleasant countryside to Bevere lock, but just before here is the Camp House inn pub on your left, with moorings. If you moor on the River leave your rope loose because it is tidal.

A mile beyond Bevere the river swings right, and soon you will see the entrance lock at the start of the Droitwich barge Canal. There are pontoons on the left of the lock where your crew can get off.

The River Salwarpe accompanies the canal all the way to Droitwich, but don't mistake it for the entrance to the canal.

Lock number 1 at Hawford is soon reached and beyond this after a short sweep of the canal is Lock 2. Note that the locks on this canal do not have lower wing walls, so care is required when approaching them.

When you go under the A449, be careful as the headroom reduces at the far end.

The canal nows goes through a short wooded stretch before approaching Linacre bridge when the views open out on both sides to reveal distant hills and rolling fields. The approach to the Mildenham lock is heralded by trees on both sides.

The mooring bollards are on your right, so you can let your crew off to get the lock ready.

A long wooded stretch brings you to Porters Mill Lock, the pretty lock cottage is now a private house. To operate the lock, your crew must cross the road bridge to the other side and use the wooden gate next to the bridge to gain access to the lock. On leaving the lock your crew will either have to get back on the boat at the mooring bollards, or go out through the gates ahead using a Watermate key ( you should have been given one of these, if it isn't on your engine keys, look to see if it is hanging in a cupboard or on a hook.)

You will soon approach the Ladywood set of 5 locks spaced over half a mile, as you rise in the flight the flight, the countryside opens out to either side. By lock 8 you must cross the road bridge to operate the lock.

Beyond Ladywood you approach the small village of Salwarpe, there is access from the towpath to the village through a wooden gate. There is also a picnic table just before Salwarpe, by the old disused Hill End Swing bridge. As you pass through the cutting just past the village sound your horn to warn approaching boats as there is a very sharp corner, you also have views of the lovely half timbered Salwarpe Court up on the right.

There are footpaths here down through the woods over the River Salwarpe, and there is a picnic table by the abandoned Salwarpe Court swing bridge.

There is a rumble of traffic as the A38 crosses the canal, there is also a path down to along the river bank from here.

The canal is now entering Droitwich, but the canal is lined with mature trees and the houses do not intrude.

Just by bridge 11 there is a Leisure Centre.

The canal now enters Netherwich basin, be careful of the large concrete pedestal sticking up in the middle of the channel, which is thought to be the cap of a former brine well. There is a water point here and you will need your Watermate key for access to and from the moorings. The basin forms one end of the attractive Vines park, a pleasant open tree lined grassy area, with the canal running through it (It is called Vines Park because the Romans grew vines here)

Moor up here for the night. It is 7 hours cruising to here from Diglis basin.

To get into the town centre, go through Vines Park and follow the canal until you see Waitrose supermarket, then cross the road and walk behind it to the shops.

Droitwich was first populated by the Romans, who mined salt here in the 2nd century. By the 8th century the town was in the hands of the Mercian Kings and the salt wells were considered one of the wonders of Britain. Throughout the centuries salt mining has played an important role in the development of the town, and in the 1830's Droitwich was transformed into a spa town following the realisation of the therapeutic qualities of salt water. The Royal brine Baths were opened along with some fine hotels. Salt production finally ended in 1922 and the baths continued until 1975. However they were reopened in 1984 and a replica brine pit and other remains of the salt industry can be seen in Vines Park by the canal. The High Street is of particular interest as many of the buildings lean at interesting angles due to the salt extraction. The town offers a variety of shops, 2 supermarkets, pubs and cafes & restaurants. There is a small shopping centre in St Andrews Square. A lovely cafe/restaurant is The Spinning Wheel in St Andrews Street, the food here is delicious! (see details under useful links section)

Droitwich was also known internationally for its powerful long wave transmitter which was built in 1933. During World War II the transmitter was initially used to broadcast to occupied Europe, and then to jam signals to enemy aircraft.

Most of the historic Droitwich lies to the south of the canal, in an area enclosed by Saltway, and is easily explored. There is a small museum devoted to the salt industry & the Droitwich transmitter in the Heritage centre in Victoria Square. Close to here is a medical centre and a post office and banks.

Day 3

The canal winds through Vines park, where there are a series of 3 swing footbridges, so your crew can walk alongside the boat for a while! The bridge require a BW Watermate key to unlock them.

You then approach your first lock today,- Droitwich barge Lock- at the end of the park, there is a swing footbridge over the middle of the lock which must be unlocked & swung open before the lock can be used.

This part of the canal is suitable for narrow beam canalboats only. After passing under the road at Swan Drive, you head to the right to enter lock 7, which again has no wing walls so requires care to enter it accurately.

You will soon see a waiting staging on your left, where you should wait if boats are coming the other way through the M5 culvert. The culvert is not wide enough for 2 boats, and is very low- with headroom of just 6 foot 5 ins. Lock 6 is soon reached.

Locks 4 & 5 are the only staircase locks on this canal, so first make sure there are no boats coming down. The bottom lock of the staircase should be empty and the top full.

After the Rugby club bridge is the entrance to the new Droitwich Spa marina.

Locks 103 are quite deep, so take care when opening paddles there is a water point above Lock 1.

At the junction of the Droitwich and Birmingham & Worcester canals is a small picnic area, and the Eagle and Sun public house with canalside grounds. You are turning a sharp right which is a tight turn, and the bridge makes it a blind exit, so you need a long blast on the horn to warn other boaters who will not be used to boats coming out of this junction.

Hanbury Wharf canal village is just south of the Bridge, and has a small cafe, and water is available for a small fee.

In 2 miles you reach the short Dunhampstead tunnel and beyond are moorings for the Fir tree pub Tel,01905 774094. In another 2 miles the village of Tibberton is reached, there is a nice pub canalside called the Bridge Inn. Tel 01905 345874. There are stores & a garage in the village.

After Tibberton the canal descends the 5 Offerton Locks , followed by the 6 locks beginning with Tolladine Lock, which marks the beginning of the descent into Worcester.

The entrance to the marina is directly after Bridge 10, it is a sharp right turn.

It takes 7.5 hours to get back from Droitwich to the Lowesmoor marina, where you can moor up for the night and enjoy the hospitality of Worcester before you have to depart in the morning.