New AcquisitionsStaffordshire & Worcestershire Canal; Waterway Productions Ltd., 3rd ed., 1991;CA16576.
Bumblehole. Stewponey. Bratch. What language is that? All places along this canal that is now 233 years old, designed by James Brindley as part of a scheme to join the rivers Severn, Thames, Mersey and Trent without the dangers of coastwise navigation.
Guides to the canal system are produced in a variety of formats, some being very chatty, others formal. As usual they go out of date quite quickly, especially if there are many adverts for restaurants etc. Hence this would not be the guide to take with you now. It is, however, very good as an introduction to the inland waterways in general and this one in particular. There is a brief history of the canal, notes on navigating canals, locks and tunnels. The list of associated information is considerable. Most pages have good monochrome photographs of interesting local features. The bulk of this 38 page, ring bound booklet gives a detailed description of the delights to found along the canal, with maps at 2ins to the mile.
Are you beginning to get tired of going to windward or not being able to stop when the fancy takes you? Consider moving sedately with all your mod cons along a waterway full of history and tradition, moving through a beautiful landscape that changes with every turn and varies with the seasons. Before spending money on a new guide borrow this from the library and read it when weather bound at anchor. - PDG
Page prepared 25 July 2005
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