Content © Staffordshire &
Worcestershire Canal Society
1959-
Map © Sparrow Publishing.
Canal FAQ
Where exactly is the SWC?
The SWC runs from the riverside town of Stourport, Worcestershire
through to its junction with the Trent & Mersey Canal at Great Haywood, Staffordshire.
Under the terms of the Transport Act 1968 it is a designated cruiseway and since
1969 the entire length has been a Conservation Area.
How long is it?
A little over 46 miles.
How many locks does it have?
A total of 43, with 31 locks raising it some 292 feet
from the river to its summit before the remaining 12 locks lower the line to Great
Haywood Junction.
How big a vessel will it accommodate?
Maximum lock dimensions are typically 70ft (21.34m)
x 7ft (2.13m) throughout.
Where is its summit level and how long is it?
10 miles, between Compton Lock and Gailey.
Who built the SWC, when was it built and how much did it cost?
It was engineered by James Brindley and opened throughout in 1772 at a total cost of around £100,000. The canal is built to Brindley's 'contour' method which means it tends to follow the contours of the land in a gentle, meandering course.
What were its principal cargoes in its commercial heyday?
Mostly coal from the Cannock
coalfields and pottery from the Stoke area southwards, and manufactured goods from
Birmingham and the Black Country northwards.
What are its principal attractions for the visitor?
The canal is perhaps one of the
prettiest in the country and manages to avoid passing directly through any heavily
industrialised area. It offers excellent boating facilities, is a haven for wildlife
and is a tranquil respite for the towpath user. The towpath is continuous throughout
and offers good surface for walkers, joggers and cyclists. There are numerous pubs
and hostelries along the way either on the towpath or very close by, boaters' facilities
such as water, diesel, boatyards and food outlets are readily available throughout
and there is a thriving Society of volunteers (The Staffordshire & Worcestershire
Canal Society) dedicated to looking after the interest of the canal for the benefit
of all users. In short, there is something for every waterways taste along the Staffordshire
& Worcestershire Canal.
What other waterways does it connect with and give access to?
In addition to its junctions
with the River Severn and the Trent & Mersey Canal the SWC connects with the Stourbridge
Canal at Stourton Junction (to access the Birmingham Canal Navigations), Aldersley
Junction (BCN) and Autherley Junction (Shropshire Union). Other connections (mostly
derelict but some undergoing restoration) include Pratt's Wharf (River Stour), Hatherton
(BCN) and River Sow (Stafford Town)
What other attractions and features of interest are there to see?
SWC is rich in heritage
and the public attractions are numerous, ranging from the historic town of Stourport
on Severn through to the pretty village of Kinver, the unique locks at Bratch, the
last remaining Roundhouse at Gailey and the historic Shugborough Hall near Great
Haywood, to name but a few.
Where can I find a detailed map of the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal?
On this
very website. Please feel free to browse.
Where can I find more information about the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal?
Via our Contacts section -
How may I join the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal Society?
You'll find an application
form and membership details at the click of a mouse.
