The Black Country Ring — Canal Cruising Ring

Overview

The Black Country Ring is a medium-length cruising circuit through the West Midlands and southern Staffordshire, taking in some of the oldest canal infrastructure in the country. It runs to approximately 75 miles with around 73 locks. Most crews complete it in 7 to 10 days at a relaxed 4-hour-day pace, making it one of the more achievable rings for a one-week hire.

Route

The ring links five canals in a clockwise loop:

• BCN Main Line (Birmingham to Wolverhampton)
• Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal (Aldersley Junction to Great Haywood Junction)
• Trent & Mersey Canal (Great Haywood to Fradley Junction)
• Coventry Canal (Fradley to Fazeley Junction)
• Birmingham & Fazeley Canal (Fazeley back to central Birmingham)

Highlights

• Gas Street Basin and the Birmingham waterfront
• The Wolverhampton 21 — a long flight dropping out of the BCN onto the Staffs & Worcs
• Tixall Wide on the Staffs & Worcs — broad and tranquil
• Shugborough Hall and the Essex Bridge near Great Haywood
• Fradley Junction and the Swan Inn
• The Curdworth and Minworth flights on the Birmingham & Fazeley
• The Galton Bridge cutting on the BCN New Main Line (a worthwhile diversion)

Difficulty

Approximately 73 locks across 75 miles is a moderate ratio, with the heaviest concentrations on the Wolverhampton 21, Curdworth flight (11 locks) and the Farmer's Bridge / Aston flights at the Birmingham end. No tidal sections. The Coseley, Netherton and Shrewley tunnels are not on this ring, but the BCN includes some shorter cuttings. The Birmingham & Fazeley descent into the city involves a long sequence of locks in succession — best tackled with a fresh crew.

Suitable for

First-time hirers comfortable with locks; a one-week trip for a fit crew, or a relaxed 10-day cruise. Probably the best "first ring" for crews with at least one previous narrowboat trip under their belt. Two crew minimum; three is more comfortable.

Where to start

Common hire bases include Alvechurch, Stone, Great Haywood, Norbury Junction (slightly off-ring), Streethay (near Fradley), Tamworth and central Birmingham. Great Haywood and Stone are popular launching points because they let crews tackle the BCN section on fresh legs.

Practicalities

• Stoppages and pinch points: the Wolverhampton 21 can queue in summer; allow most of a day. Farmer's Bridge and Aston are the other main bottlenecks.
• No tidal sections, no river navigation.
• The BCN Main Line through Wolverhampton and Smethwick passes through industrial and ex-industrial areas; keep valuables out of sight overnight. Most crews find Galton Valley and Tipton entirely fine.
• Mobile signal is generally good across the ring.

Best time of year

Late spring through early autumn. The ring is achievable year-round but winter stoppage programmes regularly hit the BCN locks and the Wolverhampton 21. School-holiday queues at Curdworth and the Birmingham flights are noticeable but rarely deal-breaking.