Walking along the Black Country canals
Route facts
Waterways:
Birmingham Canal Main Line »
Birmingham Canal Old Main Line »
Dudley No 1 Canal »
Netherton Tunnel Branch Canal »
Stourbridge Canal »
Distance: 21 miles / 33.6km
Duration: 9 hours
Circular route from: Stourbridge
This route takes you on an historical journey, along the canals that formed the backbone of Britain.
With 100 miles of waterway, Birmingham famously has more canals than Venice - so there’s always something new to discover. The towpaths are all in excellent condition for both cyclists and walkers.
Getting there
Parking: There is parking in Stourbridge.
Public transport: There is a train station in Stourbridge.
Waypoints
1. Stourbridge to Dudley (5 miles / 8km)
The walk begins in Stourbridge, the historic town standing on the edge of the Black Country. This first part of the route is along the Stourbridge Town Arm, part of the Stourbridge Canal. You may need to take care as the grass on this part can be rutted. As you come to Wordsley Junction, where you will meet the main part of the Stourbridge Canal, you need to cross over Wordsley Junction Bridge and turn right along the canal. You will pass the Stourbridge 16 locks where there is a pub as you come to the end of them. When you come to Leys Junction, cross over the canal on Leys Bridge so that you can walk away from the Stourbridge Canal and along the Dudley No. 1 Canal. As you come to the Delph Locks, there is a pub either side of the canal before lock 8. Shortly after this you will arrive in Dudley. There is a supermarket and some pubs as you walk through Dudley along the canal.
2. Dudley to Factory Junction (4 miles / 6.4km)
When you come to the Dudley Tunnel (3154 yards), you will have to walk through the town for this distance. It will be worth it though, as you will get to see the Dudley Castle, which was built in 1701. After the tunnel you will pass Tipton Junction, Tipton Green Bridge and Owen Street Bridge before arriving at Factory Junction. There is a pub over Factory bridge if you want to stop for refreshments.
3. Factory Junction to Tipton Junction (3 miles / 4.8km)
If you haven’t already, you will need to cross over Factory Bridge and then turn right to walk along the Birmingham Main Line. As you come to Dudley Port Junction, cross over the bridge and walk along the Netherton Tunnel Branch Canal. At the end of this when you reach the end of the branch, you will meet the Birmingham Canal Old Main Line. Turn right onto the canal towpath and you will heading north-west. After around a mile you will arrive at Tipton Junction.
4. Tipton Junction to Stourbridge (9 miles / 14.4km)
At Tipton Junction, turn left to walk back along the Dudley No1 Canal. Just before the tunnel, you may want to visit the Black Country Museum which is focused around an historical recreation of a typical 19th century industrial town. After the bridge, make your way back along the canal, then left when you reach Leys Junction and the Stourbridge Canal and down the Stourbridge Town Arm at Wordsley Junction.
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