Canal boats moored on the left side of canal with old buildings in the background

Worcester & Birmingham Canal

The Worcester & Birmingham Canal takes you from the vibrant centre of Birmingham, through the green hills of Worcestershire, to the cathedral city of Worcester.

At its northern end, the canal joins the Birmingham Canal Main Line at Gas Street Basin. This pretty basin was once a thriving transport hub. Now, traditional narrowboats and elegant black and white iron footbridges sit side-by-side with modern bars and restaurants. Close by is luxury shopping centre the Mailbox, with its stylish clothing shops and cafes.

Among the cargos that once travelled on the canal was chocolate crumb to the Cadbury factory. Today, this is Cadbury World, a great day out if you have a sweet tooth.

History of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal

Learn more about the history of the canal

Boating the Worcester & Birmingham Canal

All you need to know about boating on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal

Places to visit

Diglis Basin
Diglis Basin is where the Worcester & Birmingham Canal meets the River Severn. It's a great starting point for exploring the waterways
Diglis Basin
Diglis Basin is where the Worcester & Birmingham Canal meets the River Severn. It's a great starting point for exploring the waterways
Diglis Island & Fish Pass
Step into the Victorian workshop where lock gates were once made, and find out about the plight of a once-renowned fish species
Diglis Island & Fish Pass
Step into the Victorian workshop where lock gates were once made, and find out about the plight of a once-renowned fish species
Birmingham City Centre
With more miles of canal to explore than Venice has to offer, you won't be short of things to see and do in Birmingham
Birmingham City Centre
With more miles of canal to explore than Venice has to offer, you won't be short of things to see and do in Birmingham

Things to do

Fishing
Find a place to fish
Fishing
Find a place to fish
Pedal power
Download our Worcester & Birmingham Canal towpath guidance for cyclists
Pedal power
Download our Worcester & Birmingham Canal towpath guidance for cyclists
Canal walks
Step back through the pages of history along the canal that turned the Midlands into an industrial boom area 200 years ago
Canal walks
Step back through the pages of history along the canal that turned the Midlands into an industrial boom area 200 years ago

Where does the water come from?
Tardebigge Locks
Water supplying the 30 locks on the Tardebigge flight, the longest flight in Britain, comes from several sources. These feed into the Birmingham Level: the 50 mile long pound above the locks. The nearest of these are Upper Bittell & Cofton Reservoirs. Smaller amounts of water come from feeders (diverted streams) e.g. Tutnall Feeder just north of Tardebigge Old Wharf.
Tardebigge Reservoir. built in 1822/23, was filled by excess rainwater from the summit; surplus lockage water from the deep top lock, built on the site of an experimental boat lift and its own catchment.
Originally water from Tardebigge Reservoir was pumped up to the top of the flight by a steam powered beam engine. Today, Tardebigge Reservoir stores excess water from the Birmingham Level for use lower down the flight.
The old Engine House and the remains of the experimental boat lift balancing pit can still be seen near the canal.