The Stratford Canal

The Stratford-Upon-Avon Canal runs for just 25 miles from the Birmingham suburbs to the River Avon in Stratford on Avon. There are 54 locks so two days are needed. Although the canal is fairly short it goes through some enchanting countryside in the very Heart of England, cutting through the Forest of Arden with its ancient oaks, an area rich in Shakespearian links.
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Leaving the Birmingham suburbs the canal falls gently across quiet rolling countryside and watermeadows to the Avon, passing through nothing other than small villages until it reaches Stratford. The delightfully named neighboring Warwickshire villages of Preston Baggot, Wootton Wawen and Wilmcote are all attractive with old houses, churches, inns and Halls or Manors.
The cottage of Mary Arden, Shakespeare's mother, is at Wilmcote and the other two have Norman or Saxon churches. Lapworth is an interesting canal junction where a short spur connects to the Grand Union Canal which runs close by. The final descent through the Stratford suburbs is uninspiring until you pass under a low bridge to emerge amongst hordes of visitors in Stratford Basin, alongside the River Avon and right outside the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.
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