Stratford-Upon-Avon Canal - Hockley Heath to Stratford-Upon-Avon (★★★★☆)

Today is our second of two days spent walking the Stratford-Upon-Avon Canal, having taken on a more urban stretch of canal between Kings North and Hockley Heath on the previous day.

Our destination for today is Stratford-Upon-Avon, and this promises to be a far more rural stretch of canal than we saw on the previous day, as we continue to head across the Midlands.

But our first task of the day is to head out of town along the B4439 - before we get the chance to drop down onto the canal towpath itself once again, and from here we find a stretch of canal that is instantly full of rural charm.

And bumping into one of the locals, I have a bit of a chat about the weather and the fishing along the canal - before setting off in the direction of the Lapworth Lock Flight.

So far there has only been one lock along this canal, and that lock was no longer in use - but to make up for this, we have a run of 26 locks over 2.5 miles ahead - with the water falling 158 feet over the length of this lock flight.

One of the first locks on the flight

Up to number 6 (lock 1 was the guillotine lock at Kings Norton)

Through a run of locks at Kingswood

At Kingswood Junction

At Kingswood Junction the canal passes very close by the Grand Union Canal, and here there is a very short branch heading off to connect up these two canals.

Here it is possible to join the canal at Lapworth train station, which puts you alongside the canal in the middle of the Lapworth Lock Flight - and ahead of this join with the Grand Union Canal.

But in the above photo we also have a fairly nice example of the split bridges that line the Stratford-Upon-Avon Canal.

In the days when horses would tow boats, it was preferable if bridges could be navigated without having to disconnect the tow rope.

An often used solution was to have the towpath pass underneath the bridge (so that horse and boat go through the bridge together), but common on the Stratford-Upon-Avon Canal are split bridges - where the tow rope can pass through the middle of the bridge.

And this can be better seen via a closer up picture of one of these bridges.

A slit through which a rope could be passed

It is hard to imagine that this could be done without a certain amount of co-ordination and effort, but clearly the benefits were enough for these split bridges to be common along this canal.

Continuing on, we clear the final locks of the Lapworth Lock Flight, and then find more locks ahead, as we continue on towards Stratford-Upon-Avon.

Up to lock number 29 now

Now up to lock number 33

Here we find a great section of canal - with it being a very quiet route along the canal, and with nice open views across the surrounding countryside.

And whilst the locks keep coming, we also get some of that peaceful tranquility that we ultimately came here to find.

It would take a lot longer by boat

Nice rural scene

It is worth noting at this point, that the towpath is particularly muddy - and in places quite low lying against the height of the canal.

There will apparently be updates to the towpath in 2027 (I'm not sure about the extent of this), but until then it remains very muddy and wet underfoot at this time of year.

During times of heavy rain you might find the towpath submerged, and in all honesty this is probably a canal best walked during the drier summer months of the year - rather than over the winter months (as I am doing today).

But in any case, I'm managing to get through the mud, and I'm soon rewarded with not just more rural views, but also with the sight ahead of Edstone Aqueduct.

More views

Passing over Edstone Aqueduct

A little plaque

This aqueduct was completed in 1816, and is the longest cast-iron aqueduct in England - and from above you get an odd feeling of floating (alongside a giant bathtub).

The aqueduct itself was built in 35 separate sections, which were then bolted together - and then supported by 13 brick piers - and nearly closed in 1958, before gaining grade II listed status in 1985.

The design of the aqueduct in many ways stemmed from the need to cut costs during the construction of the canal, and so in many ways this is an early example of the more modern approach to infrastructure, which tend to lack the design flair of many of the best examples from the canal age.

What results though, is a design that looks fairly modern, but remains very tasteful, and enjoyable to walk across.

And having reached the far side of the aqueduct, we are now heading across some of the best countryside of the day as the canal starts to meander on it's approach to Wilmcote Lock Flight.

Not a bad section of canal

Reaching the Wilmcote Lock Flight

Heading down the flight

At the base of the flight in sunshine

Here we find a very narrow set of locks, with single leaf gates (one big lock gate rather than one on each side) - with this again being the result of the the desire to keep costs down (and complete the canal before the funds run out).

What results is a pretty flight of locks that is easily accessible from Stratford itself - and for those only looking to take on a short walk, this end of the canal is accessible by train from Wootton Wawen, Bearley Cross, Wilmcote and Stratford Parkway - although (at the time of writing) the towpath is only dry under foot year round from Wilmcote onward.

At the base of this lock flight, we pass under the A46, and on along the canal towards Stratford-Upon-Avon, where more locks continue to drop the height of the canal, ready for it's join with the River Avon at Stratford.

Up to lock number 51

Here our journey comes to a halt, however, as ahead the towpath has collapsed - and to get round we turn back, turn left onto the road that crosses the canal, and then join up with a parallel road passing a series of offices and workshops that line the canal.

It does seem somewhat strange that the offices along this stretch have not sought to put in place walkways to and from the canal - with the towpath (when fully in place) providing a very pleasant route into town - but as it is, the next join with the canal comes at the next road crossing the canal.

From here the canal continues on past land that looks set for redevelopment, after which I decide to stop at the canal side McDonald's for some food, whilst I look out from the window at the canal.

Having been suitably refueled, I return to my task - and take on a narrow and winding route through the houses, on the final descent down to Bancroft Basin.

Bancroft Basin

Here we reach a busy, and pretty, open space that is busy, despite the time of year. 

It would have been here that boats would have been loaded or unloaded on their way between either Birmingham, or potential to London down the Grand Union Canal, but now this is a nicely developed gathering space for the masses of people who descent upon this town.

From here I have a bit of a wander around the basin, and then off through town to see some of the old buildings.

River Avon

The town itself is notable for the quality of the restored buildings - and if you are looking to visit somewhere full old buildings with medieval character and charm, the town is probably worth a visit.

On the walk up to the train station from the river it is very easy to meander up - and with it being on the way it is worth heading up past the house where Shakespeare grew up (my route was Sheep Street, High Street, Henley Street, Windsor Street, and then up Greenhill Street to the station).

The area around Shakespeare's house is very busy with people - and you can pay to go in, but at £25 per person it is rather expensive for a bit of a poke about.

As it is though, I have seen plenty of old buildings over the years - and with the town being very busy, I'm happy to head to the station and head home, after an enjoyable day of walking.

Total Distance: 16.8 miles (15.5 miles along the canal)

Total Ascent: 240 feet (207 feet along the canal)

Enjoyment Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ★ / 5

Disclaimer: This writeup provides a narrative of what to expect rather than a route guide to follow. The route is covered by the 139 and 151 OS Landranger maps (links redirect to Amazon). The route is very easy to follow