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Home > DVDs > Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)

Birmingham Canal Navigations DVDs

This DVD covers:

  • Birmingham Canal Navigations
  • Birmingham & Fazeley Canal (part)
  • Grand Union Canal (part)

Including:

  • Old and New Main Lines
  • Walsall, Rushall and Tame Valley Canals
  • Dudley and Wyrley & Essington Canals

Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN) Explained

Do you understand the Birmingham Canal Navigations?

  • The network of canals can be very confusing
  • There are stories about vandals - can they really be true?
  • There are few publications covering the BCN as they are today

Are they too difficult to cruise?

  • The BCN are regarded as a challenge by many - and some avoid them completely
  • They extend a long way into the unknown
  • Could you cruise them on holiday?

You could tackle them easily

  • If only you could see what they are really like - not just the exaggerated tales
  • You could do better than just seeing pictures in books
  • You could see all the BCN and not just the bits the others cover
  • Are you planning your holiday, the BCN 24 Hour Marathon Challenge or the BCN Explorer Cruise

The solutions are here

    Popular DVD
  • The Popular DVD shows the BCN as you've never seen them before
    • Like a television documentary
    • Like a holiday programme
    • Like you've never seen them before
       
    Bowcam DVD
  • The Bowcam DVD shows our continuously running forward facing camera
    • Covering everywhere, from north to south and east to west
    • Running all the time to you don't miss anything
    • Speeded up for a little fun
       
    Combined DVD
  • The Combined DVD provides both Popular and Bowcam DVDs in one case
    • Saves you money buying both together
    • Saves you postage ordering them as one item
    • Makes sure you don't miss anything

Your opportunity

  • For planning your trip or getting the most out of your holiday
  • Buy them now at  Popular   Bowcam   Combined
  • .... or read on for further information

 

Popular DVD

Play sample from DVD Play sample from DVD

The DVD follows a cruise around the whole of the Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN).

We start from Gas Street Basin and Worcester Bar in the centre of Birmingham and pass Old Turn Junction to see the loops of Brindley's Old Main Line and the more direct route of Telford's New Main Line.

We progress along the New Main Line to Wolverhampton and the twenty one locks which lower us to join the summit pound of the Staffs & Worcester Canal at Autherley Junction.

We cover the twists and turns of the Old Main Line from Smethwick Junction including the branches - the Engine Arm,  Spon Lane Locks, the Titford Canal, the Causeway Green Branch, the Gower Branch, and the northern portal of Dudley Tunnel.

Titford Pumphouse   © Paul Balmer 2007

We head south to Delph locks through Netherton Tunnel and reach Hawne Basin - and we head north including the Ridgeacre Branch, the Walsall Canal, the Wyrley and Essington Canal to Anglesey Basin, the Rushall Canal and the Tame Valley Canal.

We visit both routes to reach Aston Junction - via the Garrison Locks of the Grand Union Canal and the Digbeth Branches, and via the Aston locks of the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal.  Return to Gas Street is via the Farmers Bridge Locks.

The Popular format DVD provides 60 minutes of information and entertainment.

Buy it now   on its own   or in a   combined 2 DVD   set with the Bowcam DVD described below.

Bowcam DVD

Play sample from DVD Play sample from DVD

For a little fun we fitted a forward facing camera to our boat and, with a little editing, this shows a high speed journey around the whole of the Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN).

You can see the forward facing view of the whole route and not just the highlights shown in our Popular DVD. 

We've added the mileage in the top corner of the screen, based on those in the Nicholson's Canal Guides, and location information along the bottom so you always know where you are.

Extract from Bowcam DVD  © Paul Balmer 2008

You can sit back and watch the scenery and the clouds scudding past, or watch the crew dashing forwards to operate the locks.

The commentary explains more about the canals and their background to complement the Popular format DVD. 

The complete Bowcam journey provides a little fun and entertainment for 72 minutes.

Buy it now  on its own   or in a   combined 2 DVD set with the Popular DVD described above.

Combined (Popular & Bowcam) DVDs

Combined DVD for Birmingham Canal Navigations   © Paul Balmer 2005

Your opportunity to save a little money.

Many customers ask for both the Popular and Bowcam DVDs so we've put them both together in one box.  This includes both the fold-out map and the information book which come with the Popular edition.

Not only are they cheaper by buying them in one box, but it counts as one item so you save a second postage charge too.

Buy it now  as a combined 2 DVD set  or as separate Popular or Bowcam DVDs - or read on for further information.

DVD Information

DVD Contents  © Paul Balmer 2009

The DVD is in DVD-R format, recorded in PAL for use in the UK and some other countries.

Available in Popular or Bowcam formats, or Combined in one box.

The Popular format is a cross between a documentary and a holiday programme and is supplied with a fold-out map (37 x 24 cm - 14 x 9 inches) and an information booklet giving further background material.

DVD Contents  © Paul Balmer 2009

For at little fun, the Bowcam version is a speeded up film from a forward facing camera with captions added to show the location.

The Combined version includes both DVDs in a single box.  Save at least £1.75 buying the 2 DVD set with both together in one box at £19.90 (that's saving £1.00 on the DVDs and £0.75 on the UK postage - and even more on postage abroad).

Ordering

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Popular DVD for Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)   © Paul Balmer 2008

Popular DVD

£12.95

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Bowcam DVD for Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)   © Paul Balmer 2008

Bowcam DVD

£7.95

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Combined DVD for Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)   © Paul Balmer 2008

Combined DVD

£19.90

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Local Stockists

We have supplied DVDs to these local stockists and they are likely to be in stock, but please check with them before travelling.

We are looking for more local stockists - see these great offers to boost your takings.

Route Information

Map of Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)   © Paul Balmer 2009

Waterway Routes produces information pages about each canal and ring.

There are photographs and historical notes and further information about key features along the route.

See the information page for