Marine Cruises narrow boat holiday hire on The Black Country Ring Narrowboat Holiday

53 hours, 79 locks, 75 miles

From our Tardebigge base you can complete the Black Country Ring on a 10-day or two-week break.

 

This route is also known as the Staffordshire Ring, travels stretches of the Birmingham & Fazeley, Coventry Canal, Trent & Mersey and various sections of the Birmingham Canal Navigations. The Black Country Ring covers 75 miles, and passes through 70 locks, including 21 on the Wolverhampton Flight.

Some of the highlights are the 21 locks at Wolverhampton; the tranquil waters at Tixall Wide, the National Trust’s Shugborough Hall,  Fradley Junction and Nature Reserve, the Black Country Living Museum, and Gas Street Basin in Birmingham city centre. The Black Country canals wind through urban areas giving a glimpse of time gone by with rural landscapes and nature reserves, offering diverse and picturesque surroundings to enjoy along the way. The ring route offers the chance to explore the industrial revolution of the region.

The canals were once vital links for transporting coal, iron, and other raw materials to and from the factories and mines of the Black Country during that time. Along the way, you’ll encounter historic locks, bridges, and former industrial sites that provide glimpses into the area’s industrial past.

A great choice for experienced crews looking for a longer adventure between 10-14 days offering a varied circular route and looking for more challenging lock flights.