The Avon and Shakespeare country. The beauty of the West Midlands

Tardebigge is as popular as it is because it caters for the novice and the experienced canal boater. Stratford-on-Avon, Birmingham, Kinver, Worcester and Tewkesbury are all within reach of this picturesque base.

Novices can start in a northerly direction and whether you head towards Birmingham or turn onto the Stratford Canal, you have nearly a day's cruising in which to master boat handling before reaching a lock. More experienced helmsman can head south and within minutes enter the largest flight of locks in the country with their beautiful rolling hillsides.

Switch off the pressures of everyday life and take a leisurely cruise towards Stratford-on-Avon and back, mooring in the basin there or at Wilmcote for an open top bus or train into Stratford, giving you more time for sight-seeing or even allowing time to cruise through the centre of Birmingham on your return journey, a really impressive mix of canal and city architecture.

For those more energetic is the Stourport Ring. Whichever direction you start in you cruise through the centre of Birmingham, along the scenic Staffs & Worcester Canal, through Bratch Locks and the picturesque areas around Kinver, the river basins at Stourport and Worcester and up or down the famous Tardebigge Flight.

With a few more days (possible with Monday or Friday starts) or a two week holiday, you have time to stop off and sight-see more, for example, Kinver, Whightwick Manor, Royal Worcester Porcelain, take in a performance at the Symphony Hall in the Convention Centre, NIA or theatre and all the other attractions in Birmingham and Worcester, perhaps even a day at the cricket ground or the races.

An excellent two-week holiday is the Avon Ring with so many picturesque and interesting places en route it is impossible to list them. The best-known being the town of Stratford and its theatre with Shakespeare's birthplace and the beautiful River Avon. Tewkesbury with its Abbey and interesting buildings, Worcester with its Cathedral, cricket ground, racecourse, Royal Worcester porcelain and other historic and interesting places are well worth a visit.

1 Week Cruising Rings:
The Black Country Ring - 79 locks, one week
Take in the splendour of Cannock Chase and cruise all the way to the heart of Birmingham City Centre. Visit Penkridge, Fradley and Old Turn Junction. This is a great one-week Ring and is achievable cruising 6 hours per day.

10 Day Cruising Rings:
Avon Ring - 130 locks (possible within one week of hard cruising but more suited to 10 days or a fortnight)
A world famous Ring that contrasts the quiet of the Avon with the locks of the Lickey Hills. Take time to visit the beautiful towns such as Shakespeare’s Stratford
upon Avon, Worcester with its magnificent cathedral, and Tewkesbury. To complete this Ring in one week will require an arduous 9 hours or more cruising per day, whereas a two-week cruise means 6 hours a day and ample time to sample the historic places of English history. Remember, time spent on the River Avon costs an extra license fee, which is payable on the River. The River Avon itself is controlled by independent waterway authorities. Boaters will need to purchase a separate licence, which can be obtained from lock offices and the cost of this is approx. £50.00. Please remember that your licence fee goes to help pay for the upkeep of the river and the locks to ensure that boating on the Avon safe and enjoyable.

Stourport Ring - 118 locks, with 48 hours cruising (possible in a week - 8 hours per day, or maybe take a more leisurely 10 day cruise)
A superb Circuit taking in the Staffs & Worcs. Canal; Worcs. & Birmingham Canal; The Birmingham Canal Navigation, and an upper section of the River Severn. Visit Stourport on Severn, Kidderminster, Colwich & Rugeley. You can do this Circuit in a week at a rate of 8 hours cruising per day, but that won’t offer the relaxation of a two week cruise at a more leisurely 5 hours per day, allowing time to explore some of the sights along the way. OR use the newly reopened Droitwich link: turn on to the newly reopened 7 mile Droitwich link taking you through the centre of the town and then back on to Worcester & Birmingham Canal or River Severn depending on your direction of travel before returning to base via Stoke Prior.

Warwickshire Ring - 105 locks, ten days
Almost totally rural route passing some wonderful landmarks: Warwick Castle, with its Madame Tussaud’s waxwork museum; The Braunston Canal Centre, the Inland Waterways only true Canal Village; The fashionable and cosmopolitan Gas Street Basin in the heart of Birmingham on the Birmingham Canal Navigation. A two week holiday requires seven hours per day, so allow yourself extra time if you want to enjoy some of the sights, or take in some
retail therapy in Birmingham’s fantastic shopping centres.

2 Week Breaks:
The East Midlands Circuit - 138 locks, two weeks
This rewarding Circuit takes in narrow and broad beam canals as well as two different river sections. A rewarding circuit where the 18th century canal village of Shardlow is contrasted with the splendour of Coventry Cathedral. A two week break allows a relaxing six hours cruising per day.