Walking the Worcester & Birmingham Canal
Route facts
Waterways:
Worcester & Birmingham Canal »
Distance: 29 miles / 46 km
Duration: One weekend
Starts at: Diglis Basin, Worcester
Ends at: Gas Street Basin, Birmingham
Easily walkable in a weekend, the Worcester & Birmingham Canal passes through delightful countryside while linking two of the Midlands' most rewarding cities. The towpath is in excellent condition.
There is lots to see along this route, and many popular waterside pubs where you can stop off for refreshments.
The walk can be readily divided into two halves. The first section, from Worcester to Tardebigge, climbs up through 58 locks - culminating in Britain's longest flight at Tardebigge. Then, from Tardebigge into Birmingham, the canal follows a level course but frequently dives into tunnels. There is no towpath through most of the tunnels, so you will have to follow roads and paths over the hills yourself.
Ambitious walkers will be able to tackle the whole route in one day, but we suggest that it is more readily split into two sections. Tardebigge makes a natural break in the journey, and is just a short walk from Bromsgrove, where accommodation is readily available. Waterscape.com's hotel search has several suitable places to stay available in the town.
Getting there
Parking: There is plentiful parking in Worcester and also in Birmingham. There are also places to park along the route.
Public transport: There are mainline train stations in Worcester (Shrub Hill, near the canal, and Foregate Street in the city centre) and at New Street in Birmingham. Birmingham's stations are well-signposted throughout the city centre by means of finger posts. If you are starting the walk by train, arrive at Shrub Hill, walk down from the station onto the main road, turn right, and follow the road into town until you cross the canal after approximately one third of a mile. Join the walk here.
Waypoints
1. Worcester to Tibberton Bridge (6 miles / 9.6km)
This route begins at the start of the Worcester and Birmingham Canal in Diglis, on the south side of Worcester. You will be walking along the towpath of the canal and in this section and along 'Monarch's Way'. Among the canalside attractions in Worcester are the Royal Worcester porcelain factory and the historic Commandery building. The city's outstanding cathedral is also worth a short detour. You will pass many locks as you leave Worcester and approach Tibberton. Then, arriving at Tibberton Bridge (No. 25), you will be able to have a rest as there are two pubs nearby.
2. Tibberton Bridge to Stoke Wharf (7 miles / 11.2km)
Setting off from Tibberton Bridge, you will continue to walk along the towpath. Arriving at Dunhampstead Bridge (No. 30), there is a pub nearby for food and drinks. The route carries on along the towpath and you will see the Droitwich Junction Canal on your left. Closed for many years, the canal is now being rebuilt and is expected to reopen around 2008. If you fancy a short diversion, you can turn left onto the Droitwich Canal and look at the three Hanbury Locks, restored entirely by volutneers. Continue along the Worcester & Birmingham Canal towpath and you will come to Stoke Wharf, passing another pub for refreshments.
3. Stoke Wharf to M42 Bridge (7 miles / 11.2km)
Carry on along the towpath and you will come to Tardebigge Tunnel which is 580 yards long. Continue along and you will come to Shortwood Tunnel which is 613 yards. The route will take you around this tunnel. When the canal reappears, you will continue along the towpath on the other side of the canal. After passing an aqueduct and walking through Alvechurch, where there is a pub for those who need refreshments, you will come to the M42 bridge.
4. M42 Bridge to Cadbury World (5 miles / 8km)
Walk along the towpath, past an aqueduct and the River Arrow and then through Hopwood. You will then come to Wast Hills Tunnel which is 2762 yards long - around two miles. Unfortunately, there is no direct route over the tunnel for cyclists and walkers, so you will need to walk North along Wast Hills Lane and then turn right at Redhill Road. Then take the first left into Bracken Way and then right at Longdales Road. Continue for about a mile and then turn left at Primrose Hill before rejoining the canal at bridge 70. Further along the canal you will come to Kings Norton Junction, the picturesque which is where the Stratford-on-Avon Canal begins. Cross over Lifford Lane Bridge (No. 73) and continue to walk on the right hand side of the canal. Cross back over again at Pershore Road Bridge (No. 75) It is just after bridge 77 that you will find Bournville and then Cadbury's Works, which today plays host to the popular Cadbury World visitor attraction.
5. Cadbury World to Gas Street Basin (4 miles / 6.4 km)
Continue along the towpath and you will find yourself walking into the heart of Birmingham. Passing Edgbaston Tunnel - which, this time, does have a towpath - you are only a mile away from Gas Street Basin in Birmingham, the bustling centre of Britain's canal capital where there are pubs and plenty of places to eat. You are not far from Birmingham's New Street station, together with all the big city shops, places to stay, telephones and toilets.
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