Worcester and Birmingham Canal

The Worcester and Birmingham Canal is a 29-mile waterway connecting the two cities through varied terrain. The system includes 58 locks that allow boats to manage elevation changes and travel between industrial areas and green hills.

Construction began in 1792 from Birmingham and finished in 1815, creating a direct link to the River Severn. The waterway was a product of the water-transport era and played a central role in trade between the two growing industrial cities.

The waterway links two major industrial centers and shapes the character of the landscape between urban and rural areas. Today, visitors walk and explore along its banks, while boaters value it as part of their water routes.

Visitors find accessible sections along the route, especially the Tardebigge Lock Flight with 30 consecutive locks over two miles. Boats should allow plenty of time to navigate this demanding stretch, while walkers can explore shorter sections in a few hours.

At Gas Street Basin in Birmingham, the waterway was initially separated from other water routes by the Worcester Bar until a connecting lock was built in 1815. This barrier was a technical puzzle of its time and later enabled a seamless network between different channels.