Black Prince - Stoke Prior Base

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Stoke Prior: Worcester & Birmingham Canal Boats Available: All boats start on Friday, Saturday, Monday or Wednesday Princess 2 Princess 4 Duchess 2 Shakespeare 4 Duchess 4 Lautrec 4 Duchess 6 Duchess 8 Click here for larger image

Situated in a lovely spot, close to both the M5 and M42, Stoke Prior is the base for those who want a more active holiday, being at bottom of the Tardebigge flight of locks. It is a base of contrasts, with routes taking in the rivers Severn and Avon, as well as a number of different canals. Equally it covers beautiful countryside as well as such cities as Birmingham and Worcester. Several rings can be completed from here, with the Stourport Ring being the most popular, as well as a large number of other routes.

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Click here for Stoke Prior Base Information (pdf file 578 Kb)
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Suggested Routes From Stoke Prior

1. STOURPORT RING
76 Miles, 105 Locks, 1 Week Cruise, 6 hours per day (ORANGE ROUTE)
Leaving Stoke Prior, you encounter the Tardebigge flight, after which there is lock free cruising to Gas Street Basin and the International Convention Centre via the very pleasant University, Botanical Gardens and Cadbury World. Cutting through Netherton Tunnel to Merry Hill and the Staffordshire & Worcestershire canal you encounter some beautiful countryside leading to the Severn at Stourport. At Worcester you leave the Severn, and climb gently back to Stoke Prior through open countryside. An easy week. Top

2. STOURTON AND RETURN
76 Miles, 82 Locks, 1 Week Cruise, 6 hours per day (BLUE ROUTE)
This is the most leisurely route from Stoke Prior traveling south to Worcester then turning upstream onto the River Severn, past Worcester Cathedral and cruising along the picturesque river for the next three 13 miles. There are three manned river locks on the journey to Stourport on Severn, before changing to the Staffordshire and Worcester Canal. On the way to Stourton the Cookley and Kinver areas must be one of the most beautiful lengths of canal in the country - turn at Stourton and return the same route to Stoke Prior. Top

3. AVON RING
120 Miles, 130 Locks, 2 Week Cruise, 5 hours per day (GREEN ROUTE)
Starting up the Tardebigge flight, you join the North Stafford Canal at Kings Norton, and on to the South Stratford Canal, where the canal character changes with split bridges and 'barrel-roofed' cottages. At Stratford you can moor opposite the theatre before joining the River Avon. The Avon, different again, meanders down to Tewkesbury, through Evesham, where you join the River Severn for a short trip up to Worcester, before returning home. Avon licence required. An easy two week trip. Top

4. WARWICKSHIRE RING
130 Miles, 190 Locks, 2 Week Cruise, 6 hours per day (RED ROUTE)
Up the Tardebigge flight to the North Stafford at Kings Norton, you continue to the Grand Union. Traveling south, you progress through the Hatton flight, via Warwick and Leamington Spa to Napton and Braunston. From Braunston, you travel the Oxford & Coventry (perhaps taking in the Ashby or Coventry itself) to Fazely, and then head into the centre of Birmingham via Farmers Bridge locks. Homing down the Worcester and Birmingham via Tardebigge. A more strenuous fortnight.

Stoke Prior Base Information

Hotels / Guest Houses

Avoncraft Guest Hiuse, 77 Redditch Road, Stoke Heath, Bromsgrove, Telephone: 01527 832819 www.avoncroftguesthouse.co.uk Prices Guide: Double Room £60.00, Single Room £37.00   Prices include breakfast

Premier Travel Inn - Swann Inn, Worcester Road, Upton Warren, Bromsgrove. Telephone: 0870 990 6408 www.premiertravelinn.com Price Guide: Double room from £59.00 excluding breakfast   Ladybird Lodge, 2 Finstall Road, Bromsgrove. Telephone: 01527 889900 www.ladybirdlodge.co.uk Double & Single Rooms include Full English breakfast are currently £70.00   The Durrance Farmhouse, Berry Lane, Upton Warren, Bromsgrove. Telephone: 01562 777533 www.thedurrance.co.uk Price Guide: Double Room £57.00 Single Room £37.00 Prices include breakfast

Public Transport

Nearest Railway Station: Bromsgrove / Droitwich (a little further but with a taxi rank) www.nationalrail.co.uk Tel: 08457 484950 www.thetrainline.com Tel: 0871 244 1545 Nearest Airport: Birmingham International Tel. 0121 767 5511 www.bhx.co.uk

Taxi / Minicabs

The People Carriers:  Telephone : 01527 578600   www.thepeoplecarriers.com BNC Taxi:  Telephone : 01527 871485 His & Hers Taxis:  Telephone : 01527 873008 Example Prices: A taxi from Birmingham New Street station to the base at Stoke Prior would be approx. £35.00 A taxi from Birmingham International Airport to the base at Stoke Prior would be approx. £50.00 A taxi from London Heathrow or Manchester Airport to the base at Stoke Prior would be approx. £150.00 A taxi from London Gatwick or Stanstead Airport to the base at Stoke Prior would be approx. £200.00 (Prices courtesy of The People Carriers - Subject to change)

Car Hire

Hertz Car Hire has depots throughout the UK (including main airports). We have an exclusive agreement with Hertz who will provide reduced rates for all Black Prince customers. Drop-offs, collections and one-ways are all available, allowing you to pick up a car at your arrival point and request a car to be waiting at the end of your holiday for onward travel. To book your car visit www.hertz.co.uk or call 0870 844 4844 and quote CDP 69481

Rail

www.nationalrail.co.uk    /   www.qjump.co.uk National Rail Enquiries: Telephone : 08457 484950

Flying into London

From Heathrow the underground tube train goes through to London Euston station. From Gatwick the train (Gatwick Express) goes through to London Victoria station and then change to the tube train to London Euston. From Stansted airport, get the London underground tube to London Euston From London Euston station there is a train through to Birmingham New Street station. You can then get a train to Bromsgrove. Prices vary depending on the day of travel and if it is single or return etc. Visit www.tfl.gov.uk to plan your route on the London Underground.

Flying into Birmingham

Get a train to Birmingham New Street station, and then get a train to Bromsgrove.

How To Find Us (By Road)

From the North: Come off the M5 at Junction 5 and take the A38 going North towards Bromsgrove. (Not towards Worcester) After approx. 2 ½ miles there is a set of traffic lights. (Hanbury Turn pub on the right) Turn right into Hanbury Road (B4091) Passing the Ewe and Lamb Gastro Pub on your right hand side and then Stoke Prior church on your left you then pass under a railway bridge. Our base is just past The Navigation pub on your left alongside the canal bridge. (About 1 ½ miles from the traffic lights) From the South: M40 motorway then M42 (West) motorway onto M5 (South) motorway. Exit at Junction 5 and proceed as above. There is a large Morrison's supermarket near the base on the A38 with cash dispensers and petrol pumps.

 
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