Narrow boating through west Midlands

[Herit 44]

Hi everyone, I have  one question.  is it safe to moor up in Wolverhampton  district  and Birmingham  and all it's  areas  ,this is my only  route  because of the closures .ps try to get to the grand  union  leamington spa  cheers 

[ditchcrawler]

Centre of Birmingham fine, Black Country Museum Fine I moor in Tipton by the Fountain pub when I am that way. Moored overnight at the top of the Wolverhampton 21 with no problem. Are you talking about overnight or leaving the boat. Also a clue to the route you are planning would help.

[john6767]

There are places where I would certainly choose not to moir, but there are lots of places where it is fine.  

 

If you can be more specific about your proposed route then you will get lots of advice on good mooring locations.

[Herit 44]

Hi bud Shropshire union  Wolverhampton 21 Bham  main .basin then on to grand union  many thanks 

Edited November 12, 2019 by Herit 44

[Rob-M]

Top of Wolverhampton 21 or just through the bridge where there is a secure offside mooring, Tipton on John the Lock or towpath side moorings by the Fountain pub, Black Country Living Museum, anywhere around the Birmingham Arena\Gas Street area and then I would do top of Farmers Bridge to Catherine De Barnes in one trip.

[john6767]

17 minutes ago, Herit 44 said:

Hi bud Shropshire union  Wolverhampton 21 Bham  main .basin then on to grand union  many thanks 

If it were me I would moor just up the SU, there are nice moorings that you can get into the side and rings a couple of miles from the end.  Then up the 21.  You can moor at the top if you want it's fine but surrounded by roads and very noisy.  Personally I would go on the the Black Countey Museum.  From there go Old Main Line to Smethwick and the New Main Line to centre of Birmingham.  Moor on the New Main Line before Old Turn or if there is space you can back down the Oozells Street loop.  Alternatively turn onto Oozells Street loop and if no space back down the New Main Line.

 

Out of Birmingham are you intending to go W&B and North Stratford to Kingswood to join the GU?  For me that is better that joining the GU in Birmingham, and less locks.  If you go North Stratford, once you get to Shirley lift bridge you can stop any where.

[Herit 44]

Cheers   .if I can help you one day I will  many thanks 

[bizzard]

You'll get overcome by petrol fumes if you sail up an SU.

[zenataomm]

All of the places you mention are prone to extreme bouts of anti-social behaviour.

Except for the times when they're not.

[IanD]

You could also moor at the Withymoor Island Trust (friendly, secure, £10 for key refunded when you leave) which has the great advantage of being the nearest mooring to Ma Pardoe's...

 

[though this is a detour from your route ? ]

 

Black Country Museum isn't so good for overnight (nothing there), John the Lock/Fountain at Tipton is better.

Edited November 12, 2019 by IanD

[ditchcrawler]

12 minutes ago, IanD said:

 

 

?

 

Black Country Museum isn't so good for overnight (nothing there), John the Lock/Fountain at Tipton is better.

And a lot less traffic noise,but more pub, takeaways, fish and chips etc.

[Sea Dog]

3 hours ago, Rob-M said:

....anywhere around the Birmingham Arena\Gas Street area and then I would do top of Farmers Bridge to Catherine De Barnes in one trip.

So would I, but at this time of year I'd go the North Stratford route. If the weather is a bit iffy you can split the journey into bite sized bits with stopping opportunities opposite Cadbury at Bournville and then opposite Lyons boatyard, after which you can stop virtually anywhere for the rest of your route.

[ditchcrawler]

2 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

So would I, but at this time of year I'd go the North Stratford route. If the weather is a bit iffy you can split the journey into bite sized bits with stopping opportunities opposite Cadbury at Bournville and then opposite Lyons boatyard, after which you can stop virtually anywhere for the rest of your route.

Same here also a much pleasanter route in my opinion

[The Dreamer]

Moored up a few locks up Wolverhampton flight, next to the racecourse, last time we were in the area, all ok, no issues.

[jonesthenuke]

32 minutes ago, The Dreamer said:

Moored up a few locks up Wolverhampton flight, next to the racecourse, last time we were in the area, all ok, no issues.

We have done the same and had no problem. About 3-4 locks up from the bottom of the flight.