RIVER AVON & STRATFORD CANAL:
The Stratford canal links the Worcester and Birmingham canal to the River Avon and Stratford - Hence forming another link between Birmingham and the Severn, via the River Avon. 

It also swings so close to the Grand Union at Lapworth that another junction is formed there (see photo). Instead of coming south from Birmingham using the Grand Union, there is a shortcut route (in time if not distance) by instead leaving Birmingham via the Worcs & B'ham - turning south onto the Stratford - then rejoining the Grand Union near to Lapworth - thus reducing the number of 'urban locks'.

When commissioned to do the River Avon we always suggest that such a cruise be combined with the Stratford canal - the two go 'hand in hand'.

A very pleasant cruise is to start the cruise in the centre of Birmingham at it's Old Turn Junction (now a very smart area) - then make our way to Stourport on Severn via the Stratford Canal, Stratford upon Avon, the River Avon (to Tewksbury), then north on the River Severn to Stourport (or we can do it the opposite way round). Once the Stratford leaves the influence of Birmingham's outer suburbs the canal turns rural and very attractive.  Particularly south of Kingswood (where we could cut through to the Grand Union) the canal becomes very individual with it's unusual locks and aqueducts, the few remaining barrel roofed cottages, and (on that southern section) some very narrow bridges. One feature of the locks in this stretch are their single bottom gates - which do take a bit of a push to open and close. 
 

One of the few remaining 'barrel roofed' cottages - once a common feature of canalside properties on the Stratford.	Stratford Canal infrastructure has unique design. Both ends of the lock chamber have single gates - and the aqueduct we just crossed has a lowered towpath.	Kingswood junction near Lapworth. This cut through joins the Stratford and the Grand Union. Note the very very narrow bridges.	Just a very typical view of cruising the Stratford Canal in summer.