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Droitwich Barge Canal

Boating on the Droitwich Barge Canal in Droitwich

The Droitwich Barge Canal, together with its sister waterway the Droitwich Junction Canal, has been at the centre of a mammoth restoration project over recent years.

The wide-beam Droitwich Barge Canal was opened in 1771, and like many of the most important canals, was built by James Brindley. At six miles long, it linked the centre of Droitwich with the navigable River Severn six miles away. Its primary purpose was transportation of salt, a booming production at this time. However, when other forms of transport became faster and cheaper the canal fell into disrepair and was eventually abandoned.

Following 40 years of hard work by The Droitwich Canal Trust, British Waterways and countless volunteers, the Droitwich Barge Canal is now fully restored. This September (2011) a boat entered the Barge Canal at River Lock in Hawford for the first time in 80 years.

Now that the Barge Canal and Junction Canal are open to navigation they offer a short cut to the upper reaches of the Severn Navigation and provide a cruising ring of around 22 miles from Hanbury returning via Worcester.

Download a restoration guide to the Droitwich Barge Canal