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Canal Boat Holiday Base Information - Base 38 on the Stourport and Avon Rings

View boats available from this base
Canal Holiday near Stratford upon Avon

Your gateway to Shakespeare Country and the heart of rural England.

About the location

Base 38 is situated in a lovely spot close to both the M5 and M42 at the bottom of the Tardebigge flight of locks. It is a base of contrasts, with routes taking in the rivers Severn and Avon, as well as a number of different canals. It covers beautiful countryside as well as such cities as Birmingham and Worcester.

Several rings can be completed from here, with the Stourport Ring being the most popular, as well as a large number of other routes.

The base is run by a leading boat operator whose boats are amongst the newest on the canals.

Avon Ring Map - Where in the UK

Routes from this base

Your holiday isn't tied to a specific route. You simply hire a boat for the time you choose, then explore the canals however you like. Our short-break, week, and two week routes are just ideas to help you plan your ideal canal holiday.

Short break routes (3 - 4 nights)

Stourport Ring

74 miles • 118 locks • 48 hours

Leaving the base ascend the Tardebigge flight, after which there is lock free cruising to Birmingham's Gas Street Basin and the International Convention Centre via the very pleasant University, Botanical Gardens and Cadbury World. Cutting through Netherton Tunnel to Merry Hill and the Staffordshire & Worcestershire canal you encounter some beautiful countryside leading to the Severn at Stourport. At Worcester you leave the Severn and climb gently back to base through open countryside.

One week routes

Stourton and Return

84 miles • 82 locks • 35 hours

Travel south to Worcester then up the River Severn for 13 miles to Stouport on Severn. Here join the Staff and Worcs Canal through beautiful canal scenery to Stourton before returning.

Two week routes

Avon Ring

109 miles • 130 locks • 58 hours

Starting up the Tardebigge flight, you join the North Stratford Canal at Kings Norton and on to the South Stratford Canal, where the canal character changes with split bridges and 'barrel-roofed' cottages. At Stratford you can moor opposite the theatre before joining the River Avon. The Avon meanders down to Tewkesbury, through Evesham, where you join the River Severn for a short trip up to Worcester, before returning home. Time spent on the River Avon costs an extra license fee, which is payable on the River.

Warwickshire Ring

128 miles • 190 locks • 130 hours•

Up the Tardebigge flight to the North Stratford at Kings Norton you continue to the Grand Union. Travelling south, you progress through the Hatton flight, via Warwick and Leamington Spa to Napton and Braunston. From Braunston, you travel the North Oxford and Coventry Canals to Fazeley, and then head into the centre of Birmingham via Farmers Bridge Locks. Home down the Worcester and Birmingham via Tardebigge. A more strenuous fortnight.

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Canal Holidays, Bowers Wharf, Skipton, BD23 2PD, United Kingdom