Locks: Stratford on Avon Canal

The Stratford On Avon Canal runs from Kings Norton junction where it meets the Worcester & Birmingham Canal to the River Avon at Stratford On Avon. On the way it links to the Grand Union Main Line at Lapworth Junction via the Lapworth Link, a short stretch of canal joining the two.

The Stratford On Avon Canal runs for 25 ½ miles through 56 locks from Kings Norton in the south of Birmingham to the River Avon at Stratford On Avon. All the locks are single width, narrow beam locks of approximately 7’ 6” width.

Many of the locks are in delightful locations and many lock bridges are still in tow parts allowing towlines to run between them.  This allowed horses to take boats through locks without unhitching.

The northern part of the canal (Kings Norton to Lapworth) opened in 1803; the southern stretch was opened in 1815. Once at Stratford On Avon freight could get onto the River Avon and hence down to the River Severn at Tewkesbusry.

In 1856 the canal was sold to the GWR and many of the GWR mileposts can still be seen fashioned out of railway lines. The weight limit signs on many bridges are also on posts made out of GWR rails.

The GWR mileposts have been supplemented by more modern ones donated by the Stratford On Avon Canal Society (SONACS). These have been placed at every mile interval but I believe three are missing as I have been unable to locate them. There is also a 12 ½ mile marker at Lapworth. It seems the original GWR markers were placed every ¼ mile and many can still be found in the undergrowth.

When the canal was restored in 1964 it was reopened by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

Click on a link below to see the locks in that section:

Lock 1 King's Norton stop lock

Locks 2 - 27 Lapworth flight

Locks 28 - 39 Lowsonford to Wilmcote

Locks 40 - 56 Wilmcote to Stratford on Avon