Modern Housing Developments
Some modern housing developments have incorporated former arms and wharves to make them look attractive, although I’ve never seen a boat enter this arm.
Category: Photos
Looking towards Tipton Junction
The Old Main Line towards Factory Junction curves to the right where a sharp turn to the left puts boaters onto the Dudley No 1 Canal.
Tipton Junction
The Old Main Line of the Birmingham Canal Navigations passes Tipton Junction between Birmingham and Wolverhampton.
Looking towards Tipton Junction
With Factory Junction behind the camera we are looking towards Tipton Junction.
Carefully extended Cottage
The original building has the white front door and had one window each side. It;s been carefully extended to several times its original size in carefully matching brickwork and style.
Tipton Green Junction
The steps up to the brick wall at the side of the canal mark the location of the former Tipton Green Junction with the now abandoned Tipton Green Branch.
Owen Street Bridge
Owen Street Bridge may look like it’s been there for some time but the plaque on the metal arch says
Former Stables Block
On the left, with the red doors, are the former canal buildings with the ground floor used as stables for the horses and the upper floor used for
Looking towards Factory Junction
Looking along the Old Main Line towards Factory Junction, with Tipton Junction behind the camera.
Old Turn Junction
Deep Cutting Junction and Old Turn Junction are often considered as one junction where you can go four ways.
This side of the footbridge, with the signpost on the island, is Deep Cutting Junction where the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal to Fazeley Junction leaves behind the camera.
Old Turn Junction
Looking along the Oozells Street Loop towards Old Turn Junction which is immediately beyond the turquoise coloured bridge. Deep Cutting Junction is immediately beyond that.
Beyond that bridge the Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN) Main Line leads to Gas Street Basin and Worcester Bar on the right, and Wolverhampton on the left.
Oozells Street Loop
With Old Turn Junction behind the camera we are looking along the Oozells Street Loop. In the distance is Sheepcote Street Bridge.
Beyond the bridge is Sherborne Wharf. All moorings there are part of the marina but it’s possible to cruise straight through the loop to reach Ladywood Junction.
Sheepcote Street Bridge
Sheepcote Street Bridge leads to Sherborne Wharf Marina, and through that along the Oozells Street Loop to Ladywood Junction.
The red panels in the bridge are doors which can be opened by the Fire Service to put their hoses through to take water from the canal. They are present on many bridges in the Birmingham Area.
Sherborne Wharf Marina
Sherborne Wharf Marina occupies the centre and western sections of the Oozells Street Loop. All the moorings are private, but it’s possible to cruise straight through, between Old Turn Junction and Ladywood Junction.
In the centre of the picture is our Waterway Routes narrowboat on its home mooring where it spends much of the winter. In the summer we are out cruising as we check the data for our maps, and film for our DVDs.
Sherborne Wharf Marina
The view from our Waterway Routes narrowboat on its home mooring in Sherborne Wharf Marina.
Ladywood Junction is just out of sight where the Oozells Street Loop curves to the left.
Ladywood Junction
Our Waterway Routes narrowboat is about the leave Sherborne Wharf Marina on the Oozells Street Loop of the Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN).
Under the bridge is Ladywood Junction where the Oozells Street Loop meets the Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN) Main Line. Wolverhampton is almost straight ahead at this shallow angle junction.
Ladywood Junction
Ladywood Junction is on the Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN). We are looking along the BCN Main Line towards Old Turn Junction, with Wolverhampton behind the camera.
The Oozells Street Loop, the original route for the canal, leaves under the bridge to the the right and takes a longer route to Old Turn Junction, passing through Sherborne Wharf on its way there.
Soho Branch Junction
The Soho Loop of the Birmingham Canal Navigations passes the junction for the Soho Branch.
Entering the Soho Branch
The Soho Branch is mostly used for permanent moorings these days, with a narrow channel still available for the occasional visiting boats.
Moorings on the Soho Branch
There are visitor moorings part way along the Soho Branch but there is no external access from these moorings. It’s impossible to leave the boat to go shopping or out to the pub, for example.
Arms off the Soho Branch
Once much longer and serving wharves and warehouses there are still two arms branching off to the right of the Soho Branch.
End of Soho Branch
The short Soho Branch runs from its junction with the Soho Loop to the terminus at Hockley Port.
Rotton Park Junction
The four-way signpost marks Rotton Park Junction.
Looking towards Rotton Park Junction
Rotton Park Junction is immediately beyond the Railway Bridge and it is a four-way junction. Straight ahead is the Icknield Port Loop.
Long range views towards Birmingham
A short length of the Soho Loop has wonderful long range views towards the centre of Birmingham.
Western Road Bridge
Western Road Bridge is typical of many around the Soho Loop. The red doors in the bridge parapet give access for the fire service to take water from the canal for fire fighting purposes. Birmingham is
Looking towards Soho Branch Junction
Looking along the Soho Loop towards Wolverhampton the towpath bridge marks the entrance to the Soho Branch into Hockley Port.
Soho Branch Junction
The Soho Loop of the Birmingham Canal Navigations passes the junction for the Soho Branch.
Looking towards Soho Branch Junction
The bridge carries the towpath over the entrance to the Soho Branch into Hockley Port.
Gentle Curves on the Soho Loop
Wide sweeping curves with houses set well back from the towpath makes for a lovely cruise along the Soho Loop.
Winson Green Prison
HM Prison Birmingham, sometimes known as Winson Green Prison, stands next to the Soho Loop, with its boundary marked by the High Brick Walls.
Looking towards Winson Green Junction
Approaching WInson Green Junction along the Soho Loop. Immediately beyond the bridge is the junction with the Main Line of the Birmingham Canal Navigations. That runs between
Winson Green Junction
The finger sign at Winson Green Junction identifies the Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN) Main Line between Birmingham and Wolverhampton.
Spon Lane Junction
Spon Lane Junction is where the Spon Lane Branch diverges from the Old Main Line of the Birmingham Canal Navigations.
Above Spon Lane Top Lock
Waiting at Spon Lane Junction for Spon Lane Top Lock to fill.
Spon Lane Top Lock 1
Spon Lane Top Lock 1 has an unusual bridge which is built in two cantilevered halves to create a gap in the middle to pass the tow rope through.
Spon Lane Middle Lock 2
The three locks on the Spon Lane Branch all have single top gates and double bottom gates.
Spon Lane Middle Lock 2
Looking down the Spon Lane Branch from Middle Lock 2 to Bottom Lock 3.
Spon Lane Bottom Lock 3
Entering Spon Lane Bottom Lock 3. Immediately below the lock is Bromford Junction where the New Main Line is just visible.
Pomona Lock
Looking over Pamona Lock which links the Bridgewater Canal to the Manchester Ship Canal in Manchester.
Sir Matt Busby Way Bridge
About to pass under Sir Matt Busby Way Bridge over teh Bridgewater Canal near Manchester United’s Football Ground on the way into Manchester.
Etruria Junction
Looking south on the Trent & Mersey canal which continues straight ahead through the lock where the Caldon Canal …
James Brindley
James Brindley Statue near the start of the Caldon Canal at Etruria Junction.
Etruria Staircase Lock 1
Looking into the bottom of Staircase Lock 1 on the Caldon Canal at Etruria.
Etruria Staircase Lock 1
Looking up towards the top lock from Etruria Bottom Staircase Lock 1.
Etruria Staircase Locks
Looking down from the upper lock of Etruria Staircase Locks.
Etruria Staircase Lock 2
Looking down to the top of the Etriria Staircase Locks.
Etruria in the Autumn
Cruising above the staircase locks at Etruria with the first hint of Autumn colours in the trees.
Ivy House Lift Bridge 11
The first lift bridge on the Caldon Canal is the power operated Ivy House Lift Bridge 11.
Ivy House Lift Bridge 11
Partially lifted is Ivy House Lift Bridge 11 on the Caldon Canal.
Norton Green Lift Bridge 21
Long Butts Lift Bridge 23 on the Cladon Canal is operated by the crew using a lock windlass.
Norton Green Lift Bridge 21
Norton Green Lift Bridge is manually operated by the crew winding it up and down using a lock windlass.
Long Butts Lift Bridge 23
Cruising through Long Butts Lift Bridge 23 on the Caldon Canal after the crew have wound it open with a lock windlass.
Stockton Brook Locks
The crew are preparing Stockton Brook bottom lock 5 ready for our ascent.
Stockton Brook Artwork
Rather unusual modern artwork sits alongside Stockton Brook Lock 6. I wonder what the old boatmen would have thought of this.
Stockton Brook Mason’s Marks
In many places in Stockton Brook Locks the mason’s marks can be seen to identify which stones they prepared.
Stockton Brook Lock Keeper’s Cottage
The attractive lock keeper’s cottage sits alongside the top lock in the Stockton Brook Flight.
Stockton Brook Top Lock 9
Leaving Stockton Brook Top Lock as we head upstream.
Obstruction at Endon
The central pier of a long gone swing bridge still sits in the centre of the channel with a marker to alert the steerer.
Looking under Doles Bridge 27
Immediately after Doles Bridge 27 the canal turns to the right with the arm straight ahead holding moored boats and appearing to be the main route to catch out steerers who haven’t been checking the map.
Endon Countryside
The countryside becomes increasingly attractive as we leave the city of Stoke on Trent behind.
Hazlehurst Countryside
Passing through the lovely countryside near Hazlehurst.
Hazlehurst Views
Passing through the lovely countryside near Hazlehurst.
Hazlehurst Junction
Continuing straight ahead at Hazlehurst Junction along the main line of the Caldon Canal towards Froghall where the Leek Branch diverges to our right.
Hazlehurst Junction
Signpost at Hazlehurst Junction where the Leek Branch diverges from the main line of the Caldon Canal.
Hazlehurt Junction
Looking towards Froghall along the main line of the Caldon Canal which descend through three locks immediately after Hazlehurst Junction.
Hazlehurst (or Hazelhurst) Aqueduct
Viewed from below, the Leek Branch crosses over the main line of the Caldon Canal at Hazlehurst (or Hazelhurst) Aqueduct.
Cheddleton Top Lock 13
The upper of the two locks at Cheddleton has a plinth (on the right of the photo) marking the re-opening of the canal on 28th September 1974.
Oakmeadow Ford Lock
Below Oakmeadow Ford Lock the canal uses the River Churnet for its route which and the sign to the right of the lock warns boaters of the dangers of using this when in flood.
Consall Signal Box
The railway, now preserved, and the Caldon Canal are squeezed side by side as they pass through the same valley near the River Churnet.
Froghall Wharf
Froghall Wharf is at the end of the Caldon Canal.
Froghall Tunnel Warning Sign
At Flint Mill Lock the sign warns boaters about Froghall Tunnel which has such restricted headroom that many boats will not fit through. There is a gauge at …
Flint Mill Lock Gauge
The gauge below Flint Mill Lock shows the profile of Froghall Tunnel so boaters will know if they will fit through …
Cherry Eye Bridge 53
Cherryeye Bridge 53 has an unusually shaped arch. The name “Cherryeye” is said to come from …
Froghall Tunnel
Entering the exceptionally low profile Froghall Tunnel on the Caldon Canal.
Froghall Junction
This milepost stands next to Froghall Junction where the Uttoxeter Canal leaves the main line of the Caldon Canal.
Froghall Works
Froghall Works near the end of the Caldon Canal.
End of Navigation at Froghall
This is taken from the end of the Caldon Canal at Froghall, just after the junction with the Uttoxeter Canal which is …
Hazlehurst Locks
Between Hazlehurst Junction and Hazlehurst Aqueduct the main line and Leek Branch of the Caldon Canal
Leek Branch Cottages
Occasional buildings come close to the Leek Branch of the Caldon Canal.
Cruising along the Leek Branch
Attractive views along the Leek Branch.
Leek Tunnel
Approaching the South West portal of Leek Tunnel.
End of the Leek Branch
The Leek Branch of the Caldon Canal now ends around 1.5km (1 mile) from the centre of Leek. It once …
Southern End of the Coventry Canal
The southern end of the Coventry Canal ends in a basin to the north of the city where a …
Approach to Coventry Basin from the City
Coventry Basin is to the north of the city centre and …
Coventry Basin
Coventry Basin is surrounded by a mixture of traditional and modern developments. …
Exit from the Basin
Looking northwards from Drapers Fields Bridge 1 at the basin entrance the towpath starts on …
Waterside Developments
The canal passes through a mixture of mostly urban surroundings on its way out of Coventry.
Cash’s Weavers’ Cottages
Cash’s are probably know to many for their production of name tapes to be sown into …
Milepost 2 25
The milepost shows the numbers 2 and 25. It’s placed …
Bridge Designs
Many of the bridges are of traditional hump-back design, but some modern ones are …
Original Hawkesbury Junction
Taken from Longford Bridge 10 this photo shows the original site of what we now call …
Hawkesbury Junction
Looking generally northwards along the Coventry Canal at Hawkesbury Junction where …
Cruising Past Hawkesbury Junction
Cruising northwards along the Coventry Canal passing the wide arched bridge over the entrance to the Oxford Canal at Hawkesbury Junction.
Footbridge and Pumping Station
Looking northwards from Hawkesbury Junction where the footbridge over the narrows stands next to …
Complete Greenery
Just 10km (6 miles) from Coventry and we’ve lost sight of many landmarks to identify our position.
Marston Junction
Looking along the Ashby Canal which leaves the Coventry Canal at Marston Junction.
Telegraph Pole
Probably the most photographed telegraph pole in the country. There would have been …
Hartshill Depot
Positioned on the offside of the canal at Hartshill this depot would once have been …
Descending Atherstone Locks
The eleven locks at Atherstone are easy to work, although …
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