From Fradley, through Black Country via Stourbridge then to Autherly junction to Fradley

[NB Lola]

How is this for a route in Summer holidays

 

Fradley to Fazeley then, Curdworth, Salford Junction, Old Turn Junction, Smethwick, Old Main line to Spon Lane Junction, Tividale Aqueduct, Netherton Tunnel, Windmill Junction,

Park Head Junction to Delph locks, Stourbridge, Stourbridge Town Wharf can we wind here?.

 

Back up then to Wordsley Junction, Stourton Junction, Greensforge and Swindon, Bratch, Tettenhall, Aldersley Junction, Autherly Junction, Great Haywood and back to Fradley.

 

In two weeks. Does this resonate as a good route?

Anything to watch out for, thoughts, suggestions?

 

Thanks

[cotswoldsman]

Sounds hard work to me but good training if you are thinking about next year's BCN Challenge

[NB Lola]

About 95 locks in total which is usual for us for two weeks. Any areas on that route we should not stop overnight?

We also intend a stop overnight at Gas Street, accepting the noise.

[Graham Davis]

The two of us did something similar in 2 weeks a couple of years ago with no problems.

[dave moore]

Easy peasy...enjoy...there is a winding hole at the end of the Stourbridge Arm by the Bonded Warehouse.

 

Dave

Edited July 15, 2015 by dave moore

[Rob-M]

Looks like a good leisurely trip for a fortnight. Yes you can wind a full length boat at the end of the Stourbridge Branch. There is a nice chip shop at Compton just along from the bridge, we usually manage an overnight stop there.

[Mac of Cygnet]

Looks like a good leisurely trip for a fortnight. Yes you can wind a full length boat at the end of the Stourbridge Branch. There is a nice chip shop at Compton just along from the bridge, we usually manage an overnight stop there.

 

I stopped at Compton night before last. There is now a good Sainsbury's Local just past the chippy, and two pubs (I preferred The Swan). Sadly Limekiln Chandlers are no more - now a building site.

[David Mack]

Point of detail, but from Spon Lane Junction are you going down Spon Lane Locks and along the New Main Line to the Netherton Tunnel Branch, and then passing under Tividale Aqueduct? It rather reads as if you are going over the aqueduct, in which case you have to carry on to Tipton to drop down to the Birmingham Level (or retrace your steps to Brades).

[by'eck]

The difference between entrance and exit of Netherton tunnel is amazing. You leave the heart of the black country behind and emerge (in my case) into brilliant sunshine and green grass. Beware an incredibly low white painted bridge shortly after though.

[Tim Lewis]

 

I stopped at Compton night before last. There is now a good Sainsbury's Local just past the chippy, and two pubs (I preferred The Swan). Sadly Limekiln Chandlers are no more - now a building site.

 

There is (or was last year) an off license in Compton with one of the biggest ranges of bottles beer I have ever seen!

 

Tim

[cotswoldsman]

 

There is (or was last year) an off license in Compton with one of the biggest ranges of bottles beer I have ever seen!

 

Tim

Still there opposite The Swan

[Mac of Cygnet]

Still there opposite The Swan

 

B***er! I was in the Swan and didn't even notice it! Could do with stocking up on unusual beers.

[Stedman II]

I can heartily recommend the offie in Compton. We found mooring on the Stourbridge Town arm was less than satisfactory last year. Brindleyplace moorings in Birmingham will be quieter than Gas St.

[NB Lola]

Point of detail, but from Spon Lane Junction are you going down Spon Lane Locks and along the New Main Line to the Netherton Tunnel Branch, and then passing under Tividale Aqueduct? It rather reads as if you are going over the aqueduct, in which case you have to carry on to Tipton to drop down to the Birmingham Level (or retrace your steps to Brades).

Need to make sure we get this right.

 

We are going through spon lane locks to Bromford Junction and then via new main line passed Albion junction to netherton branch by turning left at Dudley port junction onto netherton branch and then through tunnel. This looks correct on the map, let me know if not please

Edited to add we just checked outrpost and you are right, we got it wrong but my adjustment above should be fine?

Ta

Edited July 16, 2015 by NB Lola

[cotswoldsman]

I can heartily recommend the offie in Compton. We found mooring on the Stourbridge Town arm was less than satisfactory last year. Brindleyplace moorings in Birmingham will be quieter than Gas St.

Glad someone else feels the same about Stourbridge Arm it does nothing for me

[john6767]

Need to make sure we get this right.

 

We are going through spon lane locks to Bromford Junction and then via new main line passed Albion junction to netherton branch by turning left at Dudley port junction onto netherton branch and then through tunnel. This looks correct on the map, let me know if not please

Edited to add we just checked outrpost and you are right, we got it wrong but my adjustment above should be fine?

Ta

What you have there is correct.

[David Schweizer]

We did Napton to Stourbridge three years ago, but chose to go via Hatton and the North Stratford, returning via Farmers Bridge,etc. Be prepared to find it very lonely after Birmingham, we spent whole days when we did not pass another boat, and that was in early August and late September!

[NB Lola]

Yeah David, it's a bit like a two centred holiday, we like the mix.

[The Bearwood Boster]

We normally stop above Stourton locks when doing Stourbridge.Decided to do the Stourbridge arm in May for a change.We were not impressed at all-would not bother again.If interested,pm me & I will tell you why...

Trina.

[cotswoldsman]

Also quite good mooring on the right just after you come under the bridge after going down Stourbridge locks but yes just above Stourton locks is nice.

[Mac of Cygnet]

Well that's 3 votes against Stourbridge. I was actually planning to go there this coming Sunday. I will PM the Bearwood Boster as they suggest, but can anyone elaborate on here?

 

Or has anyone an opposite opinion?

[The Bearwood Boster]

Ok I will elaborate,arm ok but not fantastic.When we got to the moorings at the end of the arm (before the permanent moorings) it was full of liveaboards & only 1 space v close to water point.Chatted to a few friendly folk who said they'd been there agesOnly room for us as a visiting boat-no other space.Another boat would have had to turn around & go back.This is supposed to be a mooring for visitors.

[Stedman II]

We had much the same experience - no space at the visitor moorings . Also Stourbridge is blighted by an inner ring-road, so not much to be gained by going to the town centre either. I'm sure there are good bits, but we didn't find them!

[Mac of Cygnet]

I'm only a little boat, so can usually find space. What about the surroundings and the town?

 

(crossed with Stedman's answer)

Edited July 16, 2015 by Mac of Cygnet

[nicknorman]

Only been to the end of the town arm once, a couple of years ago. Moorings were limited but there was space for us. The town centre was surpringly genteel (relatively!) with some fine architecture. So I would say it's worth a visit.