Caunsall to Stourport (Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal)

Cookley Tunnel

In Debdale lock

We are on the move today and ending up in Stourport.  It was another dry day again as we set off and quite warm as well.  We chugged along for a bit then came to Cookley tunnel which is 65yds long, so soon through there and on our way to Debdale lock, the first of six that we are doing today. 

Little cave at the lock

Wolverley lock

Unfortunately it was empty so I had to fill it first and then through we went.  There is a little cave right by the lock. This stretch of the canal is very winky wonky and the non-towpath side is sandstone rock right down to the water, looks very impressive in places but makes the canal quite narrow in places.

Rocky section

Wolverley Court lock

Soon we were at the next lock, Wolverley lock where there is a pub right on the lock and so on to the next one, Wolverley Court Lock which is not very deep so doesn’t take long to go through.

We were then coming into Kidderminster and moored at the Sainsburys which is alongside the canal.  We went and got a few supplies and had some lunch then set out again.

Our boat and the lovely Church

In Kidderminster lock

Passing Weaver's Wharf

Just around the corner from there is Kidderminster lock where there is a lovely church overlooking the canal.  A boat was moored up there and they were filling the lock so they went through and then we filled the lock again and it was our turn.  This is quite a deep lock but empties quickly.  Under the road bridge and on we went and past Weaver’s Wharf with a really impressive building which used to be a carpet weaving factory.

In Caldwall lock

It is quite built up around here and okay in the day time but wouldn’t really want to stay overnight, good for shopping though.

We went through two more locks, Caldwall and Falling Sands, which were empty and so we had to fill them first, but doesn’t take that long.  The canal has been really quiet today and we have only met one boat going the other way. 

We chugged on for a couple of miles and then we were at Stourport where we moored up.

We are staying here tonight then off out on to the mighty River Severn tomorrow to Worcester.

Moored at Stourport