West Midlands West Midlands | Warwickshire | Staffordshire | Shropshire Discover Little Adventures on Your Doorstep

West Midlands West Midlands | Warwickshire | Staffordshire | Shropshire Discover little adventures on your doorstep

Take a boat trip and discover more about the canals in Birmingham

Take binoculars and look out for wildlife. You might even spot otters, kingfishers

Watch anglers fishing for carp, roach and bream

Go pond-dipping in Fradley Pool Nature Reserve

Watch the boats go through the locks

Go for a family bike ride or take wellies and splash in puddles along the towpath

Get out on the water! Try rowing, canoeing, sailing

Look out for the famous colony of Stratford swans

Relax in a waterside café and watch the boats

Explore the Dudley No 2 arts trail

Ellesmere, Whitchurch, Westport Lake, Rudyard Lake, Consall Forge, Great Haywood, Fradley Junction, The Bratch, Windmill End, Dudley, Birmingham City Centre, Earlswood Lakes, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Hatton Locks, Coventry, Sutton Cheney Are you looking for inspiring places to visit with the family? Then look no further than your local canal or river. This guide features a selection of our best waterside places to visit in the West Midlands – whatever the weather! Each location includes a map, suggestions of fun-packed activities you can do and useful information on where to park, places to eat, toilets and boat trips.

Have a look on our map and find a little adventure on your doorstep!

1. Ellesmere 9. Windmill End 2. Whitchurch 10. Dudley 3. Westport Lake 11. Birmingham City Centre 4. Rudyard Lake 12. Earlswood Lakes 5. Consall Forge 13. Stratford-Upon-Avon 6. Great Haywood 14. Hatton Locks 7. Fradley Junction 15. Coventry 8. The Bratch 16. Sutton Cheney

*AINA Waterways

* This map shows waterways managed by members of the Association of Inland Navigation Authorities (AINA). We have not featured places to visit on waterways managed by these organisations. There are other inland waterways that have not been shown, the information on this map is for guidance only, for accurate information please visit our website. Visit Ellesmere Discover the pretty market town of Ellesmere on the Llangollen Canal. Plenty Little adventures of wildlife, independent shops and historic on your doorstep canal buildings ensure a great day out.

Wrexham & Chester

The Red St Mary’s Paddock Lion Church Wood Ellesmere The Mere Town Centre

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STAY SAFE: Stay Away From Map not to scale: covers approx 1.4 miles/2.4km the Edge A little bit of history The Llangollen Canal, completed in 1835, was the last major engineering project of Thomas Telford, the great canal engineer. Originally called the Ellesmere Canal, this section is especially pretty running through the distinctive Shropshire landscape of hills, hollows and shallow lakes, called meres.

Best of all it’s FREE!*

Five things to do at Elles Visit the sculpture trail. Leafletsm earere available from Information the Boathouse Visitor Centre. Cross Street Ellesmere for old canal buildings on the canal wharf, Look SY12 0AW one of the best preserved on the canal system. Walk along to the marina and spot brightly painted Parking narrowboats. The canal is very popular with Toilets boaters so there are always plenty of boats to see on the canal. Café Explore the pretty market town of Ellesmere with Pub independent shops and cafés. Look out for local Visitor Centre festivals too. Picnic Pack a picnic and look out for kingfishers, herons, bats and dragonflies near the mere. It’s a great Boat hire location for photography too. Path Allow 2-3 hours for this visit

* Don’t forget: Can you name the different parts Although the site is always of a narrowboat? open the facilities and boat trips may not be and some 1 2 3 may be chargeable. Please check with local businesses before setting out.

4 5 updates and offers from Answers: 1 bow; 2 cabin; 3 tiller; 4 hull; 5 stern 5 hull; 4 tiller; 3 cabin; 2 bow; 1 Answers: the Canal & River Trust.

Simply go online and search for ’. Go to canalriverexplorers.org.uk ‘canal newsletter to discover lots of fun things to do with the family.

© Canal & River Trust Charity no. 1146792 A big thank you to all the volunteers who helped produce these. 02/18 Explore Whitchurch Nantwich & Grindley Brook Whitchurch and Grindley Book, Horse & located on the Llangollen Jockey Canal, are surrounded by great walking country. When you Canalside want a break, there are plenty touring park of places to stop and watch Grindley Brook Garage boats and wildlife Perfect!

Lockside Stores and Café Grindley Brook Wharf & caravan site Grindley Brook Locks

Grindley Brook Mobile Home Park

Little adventures on your doorstep Llangollen Canal

New Mills Whitchurch Arm lift bridge (managed by Whitchurch Canal Trust)

To w n Centre

Ellesmere

Heritage Centre Whitchurch Marina (holiday boat hire & caravan & camping STAY SAFE: Stay Away From Map not to scale: covers approx 1.4 miles/2.4km the Edge A little bit of history Grindley Brook developed around the junction of the Llangollen Canal, the railway (now disused) and the old turnpike road (A41). This part of the Llangollen Canal often reminds people of the Low Country, especially since Vincent van Gogh painted a lift bridge very like the New Mills lift bridge at Whitchurch.

Best of all it’s FREE!* ve thi Fi ngs to d Wh o at itchur ch an Information d Gr Check out the Sandstone Trail, ionendl eofy the Br bestook Whitchurch Waterways walking routes in Cheshire. www.sandstonetrail.com Country Park Chemistry Cycle down the towpath and look for the lift bridge Whitchurch SY13 IDD that opens to let boats through. The weight of the bridge is balanced by heavy beams to make it easy Parking to lift. Toilets Relax in the Lockside Café and watch boats go through the lock flight. Café Go to the Heritage Centre and find out more about Pub historic Whitchurch Visitor Centre Buy some nice things to eat in the independent food shops in Whitchurch. Enjoy them on the banks Play area of the canal. Path Allow 2-3 hours for this visit

* Don’t forget: Did you know?... Although the site is always open the facilities and boat Our lock gates are handbuilt trips may not be and some by skilled carpenters in may be chargeable. Please our workshops in the West check with local businesses before setting out. Midlands and Yorkshire, from FSC Green Oak. Each one is unique and can take up to a month to make. Once built they last for about 25 years. Sign up for our newsletter and get regular updates and offers from the Canal & River Trust.

Simply go online and search for ’. Go to canalriverexplorers.org.uk ‘canal newsletter to discover lots of fun things to do with the family.

Westport Lake local Nature Staffordshire Reserve Wildlife Trust Visitor Centre

Westport Lake Road t

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Marina Visit e Longport l t s Westport Lake a Steelite c Pottery w Westport Lake, created e N alongside the Trent A500 & Mersey Canal, is Stoke-on-Trent’s largest expanse of water. It’s one of the best places on the canal system to Middleport watch birds. Pottery

STAY SAFE: Stay Away From the Edge

Festival Park & Etruria Map not to scale: covers approx 1.4 miles/2.4km A little bit of history Westport Lake attracts lots of plants, fish, and insects and large numbers of breeding, over-wintering and migrating birds. Close by is the Trent & Mersey Canal, one of England’s greatest canals. It brought raw materials to the potteries of Stoke on Trent and made the return journey with finished goods. Best of all it’s FREE!*

ve thi Fi ngs to d o at W estpo In winter see how many migratingr tbirds Lak youe can spot and name in five minutes. Information In summer watch swifts and common terns Westport Lake Road swooping over the water. In the evening, spot Stoke on Trent pipistrelle bats hunting for insects. ST6 4RZ Explore the lake using the circular walk. Find out more about the history of the area and the Parking wildlife in the Visitor Centre. There’s a great Toilets eco-friendly café there too, with a balcony overlooking the lake. Café Watch brightly painted narrowboats chugging Visitor Centre along the canal. Play area

Path What to Spot Allow 1-2 hours for this visit Explore the waterside together. How many of these can you spot? * Don’t forget: Although the site is always A duck quacking open the facilities and boat trips may not be and some may be chargeable. Please check with local businesses The number of a before setting out.  A fascinating insect  bridge or lock 

The names of A face two boats or animal in the Sign up for our An interesting clouds newsletter and get regular stone or brick   updates and offers from  the Canal & River Trust. Simply go online and search for ’. Go to canalriverexplorers.org.uk ‘canal newsletter to discover lots of fun things to do with the family.

© Canal & River Trust Charity no. 1146792 A big thank you to all the volunteers who helped produce these. 02/18 Explore Rudyard Lake 89th Sea Just north of the bustling Scouts market town of Leek, lies the two and half mile long Rudyard Lake. Surrounded Rudyard Lake by woods, it’s a great Sailing Club place for a family day out in the country. Staffordshire Way Rudyard Lake

Earl of oad Macclesfield R e f Boathouse f i l c a e Little adventures R Sailability on your doorstep Boathouse Jetty

Activity Dam Station halt: Centre and ‘The Dam’ North Staffs Rowing Club Rudyard Lake Narrow Reservoir Gauge Railway spillway

Rudyard Hotel

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Rudyard Station Dunwood Map not to scale: covers approx 1.4 miles/2.4km Lane A little bit of history Rudyard Lake is a reservoir created to provide water for the canal system. In Victorian times, thousands arrived here by railway to escape the smokey atmosphere of the Potteries and Manchester. It’s still a great place to escape to the countryside and enjoy walking, cycling, fishing, sailing and watching wildlife.

Best of all it’s FREE!*

Five thing s to do Information at Ru dyard Rudyard Lake Check out the miniature narrow gauge Lak railwaye that Lake Road runs alongside the lake. Leek ST13 8XB Take binoculars and look out for birds such as Parking heron and kingfishers and other wildlife. (pay & display) a camera – it’s a great place for taking Bring Toilets photographs. There’s a good online photo gallery too. Café

Watch anglers – the lake is famous for big pike. Visitor Centre Get out on the water! Try rowing, canoeing, sailing – or take the boat trip. Picnic Play area

Boat trips

Path

What to Spot Allow 2-3 hours Explore the waterside together. for this visit How many of these can you spot? * Don’t forget: A duck quacking Although the site is always open the facilities and boat trips may not be and some may be chargeable. Please check with local businesses The number of a  A fascinating insect before setting out.  bridge or lock 

Little adventures on your doorstep

Cheddleton

Old lime Churnet Valley Railway kilns Black Lion Inn

Footbridge

Beware level crossing Visit Consall Forge Once an area of heavy industry, Consall Forge is now a pretty hamlet in R i Flood v the Churnet Valley. With a e A r sluice c river, a canal and a steam c C e h s u railway, it’s the perfect s

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Consall Station

Froghall Map not to scale: covers approx 1.4 miles/2.4km A little bit of history The Caldon Canal is a branch of the Trent & Mersey Canal. It was originally built to channel some of the plentiful rainfall of the Staffordshire Moors to the Trent & Mersey Canal. It was the last project of James Brindley, the famous canal engineer, who died shortly after surveying the line of the canal.

Best of all it’s FREE!*

Five things t o do at Co nsall F Visit the Consall Forge Nature Park andorg followe a Information trail. You might even spot birds of prey. Consall Forge Wetley Rocks Bring a picnic and a fishing net and go canal Stoke on Trent dipping. ST9 0AF Take a scenic ride on the Churnet Valley Railway that runs alongside the river and canal. Parking (pub) Bike along the towpath and stop along the way at Toilets the Black Lion Inn, a traditional canal side pub. Pub Watch brightly painted narrowboats chug slowly along the canal and wave to boaters as they pass. Picnic area Cycling Path Allow 2-3 hours for this visit

Did you know?... * Don’t forget: Although the site is always It’s best to feed ducks tasty open the facilities and boat treats like: trips may not be and some may be chargeable. Please • porridge oats check with local businesses • rice before setting out. • peas • chopped lettuce • birdseed Whilst they will gobble up white bread, crisps and chips its junk Sign up for our food for you and ducks! newsletter and get regular updates and offers from the Canal & River Trust.

Simply go online and search for ’. Go to canalriverexplorers.org.uk ‘canal newsletter to discover lots of fun things to do with the family.

Discover Great Haywood Junction Great Haywood Junction Great Haywood Marina was built as a great t n e interchange between r T two major canals – the r e Little adventures v

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River Trent Rugeley STAY SAFE: Stay Away From Map not to scale: covers approx 1.4 miles/2.4km the Edge A little bit of history James Brindley, the great canal engineer, planned the Trent & Mersey and the Staffordshire & Worcestershire canals as part of his grand cross scheme to link the River Trent, Thames, Severn and Mersey. There’s plenty to see here from one of England’s great stately homes to quirky canal bridges.

Best of all it’s FREE!*

ive things to F do at Grea Information t Hay wood Junction Mill Lane Check out the Essex Bridge built in the 1550s. Great Haywood, It’s said that the Earl of Essex built it so that Staffordshire ST18 0RQ Queen Elizabeth I could visit him in nearby Chartley Castle. Parking Walk through woodlands to the magnificent Toilets Shugborough Hall, begun in 1695. Café Take a boat trip and discover more about the Trent & Mersey and the Staffordshire & Pub Worcestershire canals. Picnic Picnic on the canal banks and look out for Boat trips kingfishers and the splash of pike as they Path hunt their prey. Watch the boats go through the locks. Allow 2-3 hours for this visit

* Don’t forget: Although the site is always open the facilities and boat trips may not be and some may be chargeable. Please Did you know?... check with local businesses Coots have a white spot on before setting out. the front of their head and moorhens have a bright red beak tipped with yellow, and a white stripe on their side. Sign up for our newsletter and get regular updates and offers from the Canal & River Trust.

Simply go online and search for ’. Go to canalriverexplorers.org.uk ‘canal newsletter to discover lots of fun things to do with the family.

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Best of all it’s FREE!*

Five things t o do at Fra dley J Look for the secret water channel. Theunc twotio ncanal Information companies were rivals. The Trent & Mersey Canal Fradley Junction dug the channel to hive off water to Fradley Pool Alrewas so the Coventry Canal couldn’t use it! Staffordshire DE13 7DN Follow the audio trail discover more about the Parking + people who worked here in the past. Spot the dry dock where boats are still repaired Toilets + today. Café Go pond-dipping in Fradley Pool Nature Reserve. Pub Discover signs of the Fradley’s industrial past such as the crane in the old maintenance yard. Information Centre

Path

Allow up to What to Spot half a day for this visit Explore the waterside together. How many of these can you spot? * Don’t forget: Although the site is always A duck quacking open the facilities and boat trips may not be and some may be chargeable. Please check with local businesses The number of a before setting out.  A fascinating insect  bridge or lock 

Wolverhampton Old Lock Keeper’s Toll House

Bratch Bratch Locks Bridge h Lane atc Br Discover Side pond Bratch Locks d Roa Bratch Locks form one Trysull of the prettiest groups of canal buildings on Side Disused the Staffordshire and pond railway line Worcestershire Canal. Bratch l Just the place for a a Pumping n great family day out a Station C in the country! e r i

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STAY SAFE: Stay Away From the Edge Houndel Bridge

The Round Oak Circular walk

Wombourne

Map not to scale: covers approx 1.4 miles/2.4km A little bit of history Bratch Locks were planned by James Brindley, the famous canal engineer, and opened in 1772. The two bridges, toll house and lock keeper’s cottage, all built in mellow brick, make it a favourite spot for artists, as well as walkers, anglers and bird spotters. Best of all it’s FREE!* ve thi Fi ngs to d o at B ratch Take binoculars and look out for wildlife. Lock sYou might even spot otters, kingfishers, and dragonflies which love the still water of side ponds. Information

Watch the water in a lock as it empties into the side Bratch Locks pond. The process is then reversed to fill the next lock. Wombourne Go on the circular walk along the canal and the Wolverhampton disused railway line (1.4 miles/2.2km). Be sure to take WV5 8DH a break in the Railway Café – a converted railway Parking station! Walk down the towpath to Bumblehole Lock, another Toilets scenic lock. Café

Visit Bratch Pumping Station, one of only 50 Pub remaining steam pumping stations and built to look like a fairy-tale castle. Picnic Path

Circular walk

What to Spot Allow 1-2 hours Explore the waterside together. for this visit How many of these can you spot? * Don’t forget: Although the site is always A duck quacking open the facilities and boat trips may not be and some may be chargeable. Please check with local businesses The number of a  A fascinating insect before setting out.  bridge or lock 

© Canal & River Trust Charity no. 1146792 A big thank you to all the volunteers who helped produce these. 02/18 Dudley Port Netherton Tunnel Netherton Tunnel Branch Cobb’s Engine House Discover Bumble Hole Boshboil Nature Reserve Pool Windmill End Cobb’s Engine Bridge (Bumble Hole) Warrens Hall local Nature

Windmill End, once a hub S t Reserve of industrial activity, is P e t now a peaceful nature e r Windmill End reserve. Discovering clues ’s Bumble Hole Junction to its smoky past makes a R D o ud a Lake l great family day out. d Bumble Hole ey N Visitor Centre o 2 Bumble Hole Arm Halesowen

nd Dry Dock ill E m d n The Wheatsheaf i W Little adventures on your doorstep

Dudley STAY SAFE: No 2 Canal de Stay Away From l Si the Edge Cana The Red Lion Merry Hill Map not to scale: covers approx 0.5 miles/0.8km Stourbridge A little bit of history Windmill End on the Dudley No2 Canal was once filled with factories, boat yards, coal mines and spoil heaps, kilns and furnaces, iron works, timber yards and saw mills. Now there is grassland, picnic spots, still pools, wild flowers and birdsong. Follow the paths and discover more about this area. Best of all it’s FREE!*

ve thi Fi ngs to d o at W indm ill End Watch boats chug along the canal and Information disappear into the Netherton Tunnel! Windmill End Explore the Dudley No 2 arts trail. Darby End Dudley DY2 9HS Follow the paths and check out the quirky cast iron bridges. Parking Walk to Windmill End Pumping Station, known locally as Cobb’s Engine House, that once Toilets pumped water out from local mines and into Café the canal. Today, it’s a Grade II listed building. Pub Go for an evening walk and watch out for grey herons and bats. Picnic

Path

Allow 1-2 hours for this visit What to Spot * Don’t forget: Explore the waterside together. Although the site is always How many of these can you spot? open the facilities and boat trips may not be and some A duck quacking may be chargeable. Please check with local businesses before setting out.

The number of a  A fascinating insect  bridge or lock 

© Canal & River Trust Charity no. 1146792 A big thank you to all the volunteers who helped produce these. 02/18 Wolverhampton Discover Dudley Tunnel and the Black Country Living Museum Coronation Gardens & Dudley Tunnel is a spectacular canal tunnel Malthouse on the Dudley Canal No 1. It’s the second Old Main Line Stables longest on the canal network! Tipton 1 mile Wren’s Nest Tipton Nature Reserve Junction A4123 Dudley Canal Trust A4037 Birmingham

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1 y Ro al No m an e dley C in STAY SAFE: Du g ha dl Stay Away From m N the Edge Du Dudley ew Ro Tunnel Little adventures a (leased d to Dudley on your doorstep Canal Trust) Dudley Zoo & Black Country Living Museum Town Centre

Map not to scale: covers approx 0.5 miles/0.8km A little bit of history The Dudley Canal No 1, with the 2.900.5 metre (1.8 miles) long tunnel, was built by Lord Dudley to transport limestone from his quarries to industries and factories in Birmingham. There’s no towpath through the tunnel so boats had to be ‘legged’ or walked through by boaters. Phew!

Best of all it’s FREE!*

ve thin Fi gs to d e o at & th Black C Dudl ount ey Tun Information ry Li nel ving M Tipton Road Take a boat trip through Dudley Tunnel.us eum Dudley A visit to the Black Country Living Museum is DY1 4SQ a must! You can see old narrow boats, watch demonstrations of traditional Black County skills Parking such as chain-making and ride on trams. Toilets Eat fish and chips in the museum. The best ever! Café Take a picnic and watch the boats. Pub Walk along the towpath to Malthouse Stables Outdoor Activity Centre and have a go at a range Picnic of activities (pre-bookable). Boat trips Path Allow up to a day for this visit

Did you know?... * Don’t forget: Although the site is always It’s best to feed ducks tasty open the facilities and boat treats like: trips may not be and some • porridge oats may be chargeable. Please check with local businesses • rice before setting out. • peas • chopped lettuce • birdseed Whilst they will gobble up white bread, crisps and chips its junk Sign up for our food for you and ducks! newsletter and get regular updates and offers from the Canal & River Trust.

Simply go online and search for ’. Go to canalriverexplorers.org.uk ‘canal newsletter to discover lots of fun things to do with the family.

The Mailbox Worcester Bar Travelodge Jewellery Jewellery Quarter

Little adventures adventures Little

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Bournville & World Cadbury’s

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ICC Symphony Hall a

r B Ikon Gallery Cambrian House Birmingham & Fazeley Canal Birmingham & Fazeley Arena Barclaycard rom Brindleyplace Farmer’s Bridge Farmer’s Flight Lock way F A Fiddle & Bone the E dge the STAY SAFE : STAY S tay Edgbaston Reservoir Roundhouse National Sea National Centre Life New New Main Line Discover Discover Birmingham said that Birmingham has more It’s regenerated Now canals than Venice. little cafes, bars, with waterside landscaped areas, and new bridges place to a great the canals are the city centre. escape miles/0.8km 0.5 approx scale: covers to Map not A little bit of history In Victorian times, Birmingham was the ‘workshop of the world’. Raw materials were brought here from London and delivered to factories and industries in Birmingham. The return journey was made with finished goods and delivered all over the country, and to the wider world, by ship.

Best of all it’s FREE!* Five thing s to do Birming at ham C ity C ent Information Check out the waterside cafés rande C pubsana lins Brindley Place. There’s a statue of James Brindley here, too. Brindleyplace He was the genius who planned the first canals. Birmingham B1 2JF Walk to Gas Street Basin and spot the quirky canal bridges, and the brightly-painted Parking narrowboats moored there. Toilets Explore the canals on a Go Canoeing guided tour or trail. Café Use the towpaths to reach one of many great Pub attractions here including the National Sea Life Picnic Centre, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and the Ikon Gallery. Boat trip Take a boat trip and discover more about the canals Path in Birmingham. Allow 2-3 hours for this visit

* Don’t forget: Although the site is always Can you name the different parts open the facilities and boat trips may not be and some of a narrowboat? may be chargeable. Please 2 3 check with local businesses 1 before setting out.

4 5 updates and offers from Answers: 1 bow; 2 cabin; 3 tiller; 4 hull; 5 stern 5 hull; 4 tiller; 3 cabin; 2 bow; 1 Answers: the Canal & River Trust.

Simply go online and search for ’. Go to canalriverexplorers.org.uk ‘canal newsletter to discover lots of fun things to do with the family.

© Canal & River Trust Charity no. 1146792 A big thank you to all the volunteers who helped produce these. 02/18 Valley Road Earlswood Feeder to Stratford- Solihull upon-Avon Canal The Reservoir Red Lion Dam

Norton Lane Malthouse Old Engine House Lane Park

Fishing Engine Windmill platforms Pool Pool Earlswood Manor Farm Sailing Club Craft Centre

Overflow Terry’s Pool weir Nature Reserve Explore +

Earlswood Lakes Earlswood Lakes lie on the Little adventures outskirts of Solihull. It’s Malthouse Laneon your doorstep one of the best places on the canal system to spot wildlife and plants.

Canal feeder channel Tamworth- Clowes Wood & in-Arden New Fallings Coppice

STAY SAFE: Stay Away From The Lakes the Edge River Blythe

Map not to scale: covers approx 1.4 miles/2.4km A little bit of history Earlswoood Lakes were made in the 1820s to supply water to the Stratford-upon- Avon Canal. The network of channels alongside the lakes enabled water to be moved from the River Bythe to the canal or the lakes. Since then, wildlife such as birds, bats, small animals and plants have gradually colonised the area.

Best of all it’s FREE!*

Five things to do a t Ear lswoo Count how many waterbirds you cand seeLak andes Information name in five minutes. Wood Lane Earlswood B94 6AD Take a picnic and look out for dragonflies and damselflies that love the still water of canal and Parking ponds. Toilets Follow the path to the Old Engine House, once used to pump water into the canal feeder channel. Café anglers fishing for carp, roach and bream Watch Pub from the fishing platforms. Get creative! The heritage walk is marked with Picnic area small brass-rubbing plates. Play area

Path

Allow half a day What to Spot for this visit Explore the waterside together. * Don’t forget: How many of these can you spot? Although the site is always open the facilities and boat trips may not be and some A duck quacking may be chargeable. Please check with local businesses before setting out.

The number of a  A fascinating insect  bridge or lock 

© Canal & River Trust Charity no. 1146792 A big thank you to all the volunteers who helped produce these. 02/18 Discover Bancroft Basin, Stratford-upon-Avon Visitor Stratford-upon- information Bancroft Canal Basin, on the Avon Canal Mary Arden’s House Centre Stratford-upon-Avon Canal, & Kingswood Junction lies in the heart of historic Entrance to Cox’s Yard Stratford. Surrounded by Bancroft Basin Marina Café beautiful gardens, it’s easy to miss this hidden gem. Town centre Marina

Bancroft Basin A3400

a William James W information boat Warwick n (April-Oct) o ad Av o ver R Ri on Royal gt Boat hire in Shakespeare d (rowing) Tid Company Little adventures Tramway footbridge on your doorstep Banbury n o v A r The Boathouse e v i STAY SAFE: R Riverbank Stay Away From Evesham the Edge Stratford Butterfly Farm Map not to scale: covers approx 0.5 miles/0.8km A little bit of history It’s difficult to believe that picturesque Bancroft Basin was once an industrial site. The Stratford-upon-Avon Canal was built as part of a network of canals to get coal from the Midlands to London via Oxford. Today, Bancroft Basin is a popular place to spot boats and there are plenty of other things to do.

Best of all it’s FREE!*

ve thi Fi ngs to d o at B ancro Information S ft Basin, tratfo Swan’s Nest Lane Cycle or walk to Mary Arden’s house,rd-u aboutpon- 3A vmiles.on Stratford-upon-Avon Look out for the famous colony of Stratford swans. CV37 6BB Enjoy a bite to eat from one of the floating food Parking vendors in Bancroft Basin. Toilets Take a leisurely cruise or boat trip on the River Avon and discover more about the waterways of this Café area. Pub See one of Shakespeare’s plays performed by the world-famous Royal Shakespeare Company. Information The theatre is on the banks of the River Avon. Picnic Boat trips Path Allow up to half a day for this visit Can you name the different parts * Don’t forget: Although the site is always of a narrowboat? open the facilities and boat 1 2 3 trips may not be and some may be chargeable. Please check with local businesses before setting out.

4 5 updates and offers from Answers: 1 bow; 2 cabin; 3 tiller; 4 hull; 5 stern 5 hull; 4 tiller; 3 cabin; 2 bow; 1 Answers: the Canal & River Trust.

Simply go online and search for ’. Go to canalriverexplorers.org.uk ‘canal newsletter to discover lots of fun things to do with the family.

Old Lock Discover Piling Boat Keeper’s Hatton Locks Cottage Boaters call Hatton Locks Top Lock ‘The Stairway to Heaven’. Access road to 21 locks lift boats two disabled parking miles up the steep Avon Grand Union Canal Valley from Warwick, so it’s easy to see why! Canal & River Trust Office Hatton Arms

STAY SAFE: Stay Away From Dry Dock the Edge

Wide Little adventures Pound on your doorstep

Start of + Nature Warwick & Warwick + Trail Parkway 30 mins walk/15 mins cycle A4177

Map not to scale: covers approx 0.5 miles/0.8km A46 A little bit of history State-of-the-art locks were built at Hatton to fight off stiff competition from the roads and railways in the 1930s. When the locks were completed bands played and crowds gathered to watch the Duke of Kent arrive by boat and cut the ribbon.

Best of all it’s FREE!*

Five things to do at Hatt Information on Loc Look for the old brick narrow locks alongsideks Hatton Locks the 1930s concrete locks. The old locks were Canal Rd kept working during building works so trade Warwick CV35 7JL wasn’t held up. Parking +

Watch boats and spot the paddle gear unique to (pay & display) this area. The mechanism for opening the locks is inside the paddle. Toilets (at café) Go for a family bike ride or take wellies and Café splash in puddles along the towpath. Pub Check out the amazing steel sculpture of a Information dragonfly in the side pond. Explore the nature trail and keep an eye open for Picnic damsel and dragonflies in the summer. Cycling Path Allow 2-3 hours for this visit Did you know?... * Don’t forget: Although the site is always Our lock gates are handbuilt open the facilities and boat by skilled carpenters in trips may not be and some may be chargeable. Please our workshops in the West check with local businesses Midlands and Yorkshire, from before setting out. FSC Green Oak. Each one is unique and can take up to a month to make. Once built they last for about 25 years. Sign up for our newsletter and get regular updates and offers from the Canal & River Trust.

Simply go online and search for ’. Go to canalriverexplorers.org.uk ‘canal newsletter to discover lots of fun things to do with the family.

Little adventures Discover on your doorstep Coventry Canal Basin Rescued from dereliction, today Coventry Canal Basin is a great place to explore canal heritage, spot quirky crafts in old warehouses, relax in cafes l a and bars and spot local wildlife n s a d on the water. l C e i F ’s er p ra D y r Coal vaults t n e v o C

S t Te aro o m N w i o c R h

o l r a e t s s Coventry

e S c Canal Basin t i r e e L e t Coventry Canal Basin Trust

Statue of James Brindley

Crane

Weighbridge Office

Coventry City Centre STAY SAFE: 11/2 miles and Coventry Stay Away From Cathedral 0.7 miles the Edge

Map not to scale: covers approx 1.4 miles/2.4km A little bit of history The Coventry Canal, built in 1769, was an important artery in the canal system. The Basin once bustled with activity loading and unloading goods bound northwards for Fradley Junction and the Trent & Mersey Canal, and southwards to the Hawkesbury Junction and Oxford Canal and hence to London via the Thames.

Best of all it’s FREE!* e thing Information Fiv s to d o at Coventry Canal Basin, Co St Nicholas St vent Take a boat trip to Hawkesbury Junction:ry Can aT.l 024Bas in Coventry CV1 4LY 7682 4022/E: [email protected] Check out great community activities such as Parking (pay and performance, live music and art events at The Tin display on road, no public parking in the Music and Arts in the Coal Vaults basin)

Discover the old weighbridge house, the humped- Toilets backed bridge, and old warehouses (boaters only) Cycle down the towpath and spot award-winning Café public art. Boat trips Find the statue of James Brindley who was commissioned to build Coventry Canal. Coventry Sculpture Trail Cycle trail Path Allow 2 hours for this visit Can you name the different parts * Don’t forget: Although the site is always of a narrowboat? open the facilities and boat trips may not be and some 1 2 3 may be chargeable. Please check with local businesses before setting out.

4 5 updates and offers from Answers: 1 bow; 2 cabin; 3 tiller; 4 hull; 5 stern 5 hull; 4 tiller; 3 cabin; 2 bow; 1 Answers: the Canal & River Trust.

Simply go online and search for ’. Go to canalriverexplorers.org.uk ‘canal newsletter to discover lots of fun things to do with the family.

© Canal & River Trust Charity no. 1146792 A big thank you to all the volunteers who helped produce these. 02/18 Explore Sutton Cheney Once an area of heavy industry, this now tranquil stretch of the Ashby Canal is the perfect place for family walks and bike rides. Snarestone Bosworth Battlefield Visitor Centre Little adventures on your doorstep

S h e n t o n

L a n e Sutton Wharf Café Sutton Cheney

e Ambion n a Wood L

f r a h W As ouch Canal Sutton hby d la Z e Wharf Bridge STAY SAFE: Railway Stay Away From bridge Fenns the Edge Lane Bedworth Nuneaton Map not to scale: covers approx 0.5 miles/0.8km A little bit of history The Ashby Canal connected the Leicestershire coalmines and lime quarries to the Coventry Canal at Bedworth, in Warwickshire. Today, it’s difficult to imagine that Sutton Wharf, a picture of rural peace, was once a noisy, dusty industrial site, busy with canal trade.

Best of all it’s FREE!*

Five things to do at Sutt on Ch Relax in a waterside café and watch theen eboats.y Information Try canal dipping – fresh water mussels are to be Sutton Cheney Wharf, found here. Wharf Lane Sutton Cheney Explore the canal by canoe or along the towpath Nuneaton CV13 0AL by bike. Parking Visit the site of the Battle of Bosworth where (pay & display) Richard III, whose body was recently discovered buried in Leicester, was killed fighting for the Toilets crown. Café

Pack a picnic and keep a look out for ducks, Picnic area moorhens and coots. Path Allow 2-3 hours for this visit

* Don’t forget: Although the site is always open the facilities and boat Can you name the different parts trips may not be and some may be chargeable. Please of a narrowboat? check with local businesses 1 2 3 before setting out.

4 5 updates and offers from Answers: 1 bow; 2 cabin; 3 tiller; 4 hull; 5 stern 5 hull; 4 tiller; 3 cabin; 2 bow; 1 Answers: the Canal & River Trust.

Simply go online and search for ’. Go to canalriverexplorers.org.uk ‘canal newsletter to discover lots of fun things to do with the family.

A place to walk, somewhere to feed the ducks or a place to simply be. Life by water is relaxing, friendly and healthy, Sign up for our newsletter it makes a difference to how we feel. and get regular updates and offers from the Canal & River Trust. At Canal & River Trust we believe life is better by water. We care for these Simply go online and search waterways so they exist for you to for ‘canal newsletter’. enjoy, for free, every day.

Discover, explore, enjoy.

T: 0303 040 4040 @CanalRiverTrust /canalrivertrust /canalrivertrust