Warwickshire Ring,(what can I expect)

[brum]

Hi All

 

Just about to set off on our first adventure on our new n/b from Ashby Canal.

 

Is it best done clockwise or anti-clockwise.

 

Any issues we should know about.

 

And are the horror stories, concerning the Birmingham Canals just that........ stories.

 

Thanks in advance all info greatly appreciated.

 

Brum

Edited August 11, 2014 by brum

[Rob-M]

Personally I prefer clockwise as I like going up Hatton and down Farmers Bridge. Also, I like to go along the Stratford and in to Birmingham for an overnight stop. I would say Birmingham is one of the best city centres to moor overnight in.

[patty-ann]

I have just come through Birmingham, lots of rubbish in the canal to watch out for, no problems but then didn't moor up as en route to Marina so did 36 locks in a day. interesting trip and perspective of Birmingham, graffiti walls and darkened spaces under city centre.

[john6767]

I would choose anti-clock, but I don't think it matters much.

 

For the Birmingham part you need to decide which route to take. The strict Warwickshire ring route is onto the GU at Salford Junction, up Camp Hill and through to Knowle, ie missing out the city centre. The alternative (more locks) is to go up Aston and Farmers Bridge to the city centre and then W&B and Stratford to Lapworth to join the GU.

 

For the Knowle route you would probably go from Curdworth to Catherine de Barnes in one dow, for the city centre route you would go from Curdworth to the city centre in one day. There are places to stop on the way if need be though.

 

I would seem a real shame to miss out the city centre.

[jonesthenuke]

The Warwickshire ring in a nice and varied route. However, last time we did it we had two incidents of rocks being thrown at us by kids, so watch out if you see groups lurking near the canal. One event was north of Brum the other in the countryside near Bedworth (and the bottom of the Ashby)