Waterway Routes

Maps and DVDs for the Waterways of Britain

Category: Virtual Cruises (VC)

Virtual Cruises (VC)

A series of images which allow you to “cruise” along the waterway from the comfort of your armchair. I’m gradually expanding the range of waterways covered.

Select the waterway from…

Bumblehole Branch Junction

< End of Bumblehole Branch < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Bumblehole Branch             < Parkhead Junction Windmill End Junction > < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Dudley No 2 Canal Next > Looking along the Dudley...

Bumblehole Branch

Bumblehole Branch Junction >             Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Bumblehole Branch Next > The short Bumblehole Branch of the Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN) leaves the Dudley No 2 Canal near Windmill End.

Pelsall Junction

The Wyrley and Essington Canal passes Pelsall Junction. It runs from Horseley Fields Junction at Wolverhampton to Ogley Junction.

Norton Canes

Pelsall Junction >             Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Cannock Extension Canal Next > The Cannock Extension Canal of the Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN) extends northwards from Pelsall Junction to its terminus at...

Causeway Green Branch Junction

< Titford Pool Oldbury Locks Junction > < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Titford Canal Next > < End of Causeway Green Branch < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Causeway Green Branch             At Causeway Green Junction...

End of Causeway Green Branch

Causeway Green Branch Junction >             Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Causeway Green Branch Next > The Causeway Green Branch used to extend beyond the motorway but this is the end today.  Few...

Catshill Junction

Catshill Junction on the Birmingham Canal Navigations is where the Daw End Branch meets the Wyrley & Essington Canal.

Lock Keeper’s Cottage at Longwood Junction

Catshill Junction >             Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Daw End Branch Next > < Rushall Junction < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Rushall Canal             The Daw End Branch meets...

Parkhead Junction

< Black Delph Junction Tipton Junction > < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Dudley No 2 Canal Next > Bumblehole Branch Junction >             Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Dudley No 2 Canal Next > Parkhead Junction is...

Black Delph Junction

Parkhead Junction >             Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Dudley No 2 Canal Next > Reaching the end of the Stourbridge Canal where it meets end on which the Dudley No 1 Canal just...

Windmill End Junction

< Bumblehole Branch End < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Boshboil Branch             Dudley Port Junction >             Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Netherton Tunnel Branch Next > < Bumblehole Branch Junction...

Bumblehole Branch Junction

< End of Bumblehole Branch < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Bumblehole Branch             < Parkhead Junction Windmill End Junction > < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Dudley No 2 Canal Next > Looking along the Dudley...

Parkhead Junction

< Black Delph Junction Tipton Junction > < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Dudley No 2 Canal Next > Bumblehole Branch Junction >             Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Dudley No 2 Canal Next > Parkhead Junction is...

Hawne Basin

< Windmill End Junction < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Dudley No 2 Canal             Hawne Basin (under the bridge) is at the practical limit of navigation on the Dudley No 2 Canal. Windmill...

Engine Arm Junction

< Spon Lane Junction Smethwick Junction > < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Old Main Line Next > End of Engine Arm >             Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Engine Arm Next > A photo taken in the...

End of the Engine Arm

< End of Engine Arm < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Engine Arm             The short Engine Arm of the Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN) ends with a winding point, a service block,...

Dudley Port Junction

< Windmill End Junction < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Netherton Tunnel Branch             < Factory Junction Albion Junction > < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)New Main Line Next > We are looking down the Netherton...

Windmill End Junction

< Bumblehole Branch End < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Boshboil Branch             Dudley Port Junction >             Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Netherton Tunnel Branch Next > < Bumblehole Branch Junction...

Longwood Junction

Catshill Junction >             Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Daw End Branch Next > < Rushall Junction < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Rushall Canal             The Daw End Branch meets...

Rushall Junction

Longwood Junction >             Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Rushall Canal Next > < Tame Valley Junction Salford Junction > < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Tame Valley Canal Next > The Tame Valley Canal, part of the...

Bromford Junction

Spon Lane Junction > BCN – Spon Lane Branch Next > < Pudding Green Junction Smethwick Junction > < Next BCN – New Main Line Next > The New Main Line of the Birmingham Canal Navigations (bcn) passes Bromford Junction...

Oldbury Locks Junction

< Brades Hall Junction Spon Lane Junction > < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Old Main Line Next > < Causeway Green Branch Junction < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Titford Canal             The Old Main Line...

Causeway Green Branch Junction

< Titford Pool Oldbury Locks Junction > < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Titford Canal Next > < End of Causeway Green Branch < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Causeway Green Branch             At Causeway Green Junction...

Titford Pool

Causeway Green Branch Junction >             Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Titford Canal Next > The navigable length of the Titford Canal ends at Titford Pool. The pool is very shallow which makes...

Tame Valley Junction

Rushall Junction >             Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Tame Valley Canal Next > < Moorcroft Junction Ryders Green Junction > < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Walsall Canal Next > The Walsall Canal runs straight past Tame...

Rushall Junction

Longwood Junction >             Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Rushall Canal Next > < Tame Valley Junction Salford Junction > < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Tame Valley Canal Next > The Tame Valley Canal, part of the...

Salford Junction

< Rushall Junction < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Tame Valley Canal             < Aston Junction Fazeley Junction > < Next Birminghan & Fazeley Canal Next > Bordesley Junction >             Grand...

Horseley Fields Junction

The Main Line of the Birmingham Canal Navigations passes Horseley Fields Junction on its way between Birmingham and Aldersley Junction in Wolverhampton.

Branching off is the Wyrley and Essington Canal on its way to Ogley Junction vi Catshill Junction.

Birchills Junction

Birchills Junction is where the Walsall Canal meets the Wyrley and Essington Canal, both forming part of the Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN).

Fishley Junction

Fishley Junction, on the Wyrley & Essington Canal, is where the now abandoned Lord Hayes Branch once diverged. There are proposals to …

Pelsall Junction

The Wyrley and Essington Canal passes Pelsall Junction. It runs from Horseley Fields Junction at Wolverhampton to Ogley Junction.

Catshill Junction

Catshill Junction on the Birmingham Canal Navigations is where the Daw End Branch meets the Wyrley & Essington Canal.

Ogley Junction

Ogley Junction is, today, considered the end of the Wyrley & Essington Canal which runs from Wolverhampton.

The Anglesey Branch runs from Ogley Junction to Anglesey Basin.

Ryders Green Junction

< Tame Valley Junction < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Walsall Canal             < Black Lake Pudding Green Junction > < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Wednesbury Old Canal Next > The Wednesbury Old Canal, part of...

Tame Valley Junction

Rushall Junction >             Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Tame Valley Canal Next > < Moorcroft Junction Ryders Green Junction > < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Walsall Canal Next > The Walsall Canal runs straight past Tame...

Moorcroft Junction

Start of the Bradley Canal at Moorcroft Junction with the Walsall Canal

Walsall Junction

Walsall Basin >             Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Walsall Town Arm Next > < Birchills Junction Moorcroft Junction > < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Walsall Canal Next > The Walsall Canal runs past Walsall Junction on...

Birchills Junction

Birchills Junction is where the Walsall Canal meets the Wyrley and Essington Canal, both forming part of the Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN).

Pudding Green Junction

< Ryders Green Junction < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Wednesbury Old Canal             < Albion Junction Bromford Junction > < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)New Main Line Next > Pudding Green Junction lies on the...

Ryders Green Junction

< Tame Valley Junction < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Walsall Canal             < Black Lake Pudding Green Junction > < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Wednesbury Old Canal Next > The Wednesbury Old Canal, part of...

End of Wednesbury Old Canal

Ryders Green Junction >             Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Wednesbury Old Canal Next > The Wednesbury Old Canal now ends where a modern road scheme has cut it short at Black Lake....

Walsall Junction

Walsall Basin >             Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Walsall Town Arm Next > < Birchills Junction Moorcroft Junction > < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Walsall Canal Next > The Walsall Canal runs past Walsall Junction on...

Walsall Basin

< Walsall Junction < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Walsall Town Arm             The 500m long Walsall Town Arm leads from the Walsall Canal at Walsall Junction into Walsall Basin with its...

Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN) Maps

Download maps of the Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN). The most up to date and clearest maps of the Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN) are available for download. View on your computer, laptop, smart phone, or...

Bordesley Junction

< Digbeth Junction < Next Grand Union Canal – Digbeth Branch       < Salford Junction < Next Grand Union Canal       Looking along the Digbeth Branch of the Grand Union Canal towards Bordersley Junction,...

Salford Junction

< Rushall Junction < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Tame Valley Canal             < Aston Junction Fazeley Junction > < Next Birminghan & Fazeley Canal Next > Bordesley Junction >             Grand...

Bordesley Junction

< Digbeth Junction < Next Grand Union Canal – Digbeth Branch       < Salford Junction < Next Grand Union Canal       Looking along the Digbeth Branch of the Grand Union Canal towards Bordersley Junction,...

Digbeth Junction

< Aston Junction Typhoo Basin > < Next Birmingham & Fazeley Canal – Digbeth Branch Next > Bordesley Junction >       Grand Union Canal – Digbeth Branch Next > The Digbeth Branch of the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal...

Virtual Cruise along the Ashby Canal

Select one of these starting points then keep clicking on the “Next” link to progress along the Ashby Canal.

Virtual Cruise along the Ashton Canal

You can make a virtual cruise (VC) along the canal from the comfort of your armchair. Just select your starting point below, then click the next buttons to move along the canal.

Birmingham & Fazeley Canal Virtual Cruise (VC)

Choose your starting point (from the links below), then keep clicking the next button for your virtual cruise (VC) along the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal. Main Line of the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal Old...

Coventry Canal Virtual Cruise (VC)

Choose your starting point (from the links below), then keep clicking the next button for your virtual cruise (VC) along the Coventry Canal.

Forth & Clyde Canal – Virtual Cruise

Choose your starting point (from the links below), then keep clicking the next button for your virtual cruise (VC) along the Forth & Clyde Canal and the Glasgow Branch.

Union Canal Virtual Cruise (VC)

Choose your starting point (from the links below), then keep clicking the next button for your virtual cruise (VC) along the Union Canal.

Hatherton Junction

< Autherley Junction Stafford Riverway Link Junction > < Next Staffs & Worcester Canal Next > Fishley Junction >             Hatherton Canal Next > At Hatherton Junction the Staffs & Worcester Canal passes across the...

Fishley Junction

< Hatherton Junction < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Wyrley & Essington Canal             < Birchills Junction Pelsall Junction > < Next Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN)Wyrley & Essington Canal Next > Fishley Junction, on the Wyrley...

Hollinwood Canal – Virtual Cruise

Take a virtual cruise along the Hollinwood Canal. Choose your starting point, then click on the “Next” links. Hollinwood Canal Main Line Fairfield Junction (with the Ashton Canal) – Recommended Waterhouses (Fairbottom) Junction (with...

Fairfield Junction

< JUMP TO Hollinwood Canal Next > < End of Navigation Waterhouses Junction > Fairfield Top Lock, which used to be paired, with Fairfield Junction immediately beyond.  The main line turns sharp right above the lock,...

Fairfield Junction, from the Hollinwood Canal

< Next Hollinwood Canal Next > < Fairfield Junction Waterhouses Junction > Looking back to Fairfield Junction from the Hollinwood Canal.  Fairfield Top Lock is a little right of centre with the Ashton Canal continuing through...

Entrance to the Hollinwood Canal

< Next Hollinwood Canal Next > < Fairfield Junction Waterhouses Junction > A short length of the Hollinwood Canal has been restored, as far as a small basin beyond the houses Waterway and Kilometerage HOLL 00.050.10...

Hollinwood Canal Basin

< Next Hollinwood Canal Next > < Fairfield Junction Waterhouses Junction > The short restored length of the Hollinwood Canal ends in a basin used as a marina.  The canal once continued straight on, just to...

Manchester Road Bridge

< Next Hollinwood Canal Next > < Fairfield Junction Waterhouses Junction > Manchester Road Bridge is still standing, ready for restoration of the Hollinwood Canal, where it passes to the left of the dark building mentioned...

Beyond Manchester Road

< Next Hollinwood Canal Next > < Fairfield Junction Waterhouses Junction > Beyond Manchester Road the route is still available for restoration, but rather overgrown.  Walkers must follow the roads for around 800m (½ mile). Waterway and...

Harrison’s Bridge

< Next Hollinwood Canal Next > < Fairfield Junction Waterhouses Junction > Th hump in the road marks the bridge where the Hollinwood Canal passes under Greenside Lane.  Walkers can peer over the bridge but must...

Routed through the Bungalow

< Next Hollinwood Canal Next > < Fairfield Junction Waterhouses Junction > The original route of the Hollinwood Canal comes towards us through the bungalow then crosses Medlock Street towards the camera.  Behind the camera the...

Hollinwood Canal Route is Recognisable

< Next Hollinwood Canal Next > < Fairfield Junction Waterhouses Junction > After crossing Medlock Street the route of the Hollinwood Canal is recognisable and restoration doesn’t look too difficult.  The route can be walked for...

Walking the Hollinwood Canal

< Next Hollinwood Canal Next > < Fairfield Junction Waterhouses Junction > The footpath is clearly identifiable as it follows the line of the Hollinwood Canal out of Droylsden in into open countryside. Waterway and Kilometerage...

Footbridge over Railway

< Next Hollinwood Canal Next > < Fairfield Junction Waterhouses Junction > The aqueduct over the railway has been removed and replaced by a footbridge.  There doesn’t appear to be any reason why the aqueduct can’t...

Hedge Laying

< Next Hollinwood Canal Next > < Fairfield Junction Waterhouses Junction > Somebody has been busy hedge laying, just to the north of the railway. Waterway and Kilometerage HOLL 01.760.10 OS Grid Reference SJ 90993 99265...

Hollinwood Canal awaiting Restoration

< Next Hollinwood Canal Next > < Fairfield Junction Waterhouses Junction > We’re now moving into open countryside and the channel of the Hollinwood Canal is still present, together wiht the firm edge to the towpath....

Cinderland Bridge

< Next Hollinwood Canal Next > < Fairfield Junction Waterhouses Junction > The original Cinderland Bridge still stands across the Hollinwood Canal and it doesn’t take too much effort to imagine canal boats cruising along here...

Swing Bridge

< Next Hollinwood Canal Next > < Fairfield Junction Waterhouses Junction > Although fixed today, this was once a swing bridge.  Reinstating a swing bridge when the Hollinwood Canal is restored doesn’t look too difficult. Waterway...

Crossing the M60 Motorway

< Next Hollinwood Canal Next > < Fairfield Junction Waterhouses Junction > A footbridge, raised higher than the original towpath level, allows walkers to continue their journey along the Hollinwood Canal.  The fence on the far...

M60 Motorway Crossing Point

< Next Hollinwood Canal Next > < Fairfield Junction Waterhouses Junction > The M60 motorway slopes downhill to the north of the previous crossing point and it looks as if there will be enough headroom to...

Identifiable Route of the Hollinwood Canal

< Next Hollinwood Canal Next > < Fairfield Junction Waterhouses Junction > Beyond the motorway the route of the canal is still easy to identify, and restoration doesn’t look too difficult. Waterway and Kilometerage HOLL 03.400.05...

Daisy Nook Country Park Visitor Centre

< Next Hollinwood Canal Next > < Fairfield Junction Waterhouses Junction > The path along the Hollinwood Canal passes behind the Daisy Nook Country Park Visitor Centre, which brings lots of visitors to see the canal,...

Daisy Nook Country Park

< Next Hollinwood Canal Next > < Fairfield Junction Waterhouses Junction > Daisy Nook Country Park brings many visitors to the Hollinwood Canal and the adjacent locks. Waterway and Kilometerage HOLL 03.655.05 OS Grid Reference SD...

Water in the Hollinwood Canal

< Next Hollinwood Canal Next > < Fairfield Junction Waterhouses Junction > A short section of canal is in water next to the Daisy Nook Visitor Centre.  Straight ahead is the “tunnel”. Waterway and Kilometerage HOLL...

Dark Tunnel

< Next Hollinwood Canal Next > < Fairfield Junction Waterhouses Junction > Opened out into a cutting in the 1920s after several roof collapses, this is the line of the tunnel, know as Dark Tunnel, or sometimes...

Dark Tunnel

< Next Hollinwood Canal Next > < Fairfield Junction Waterhouses Junction > Looking back at Dark Tunnel (or Whitehouses Tunnel) which was opened into a cutting in the 1920s after several roof falls. Waterway and Kilometerage...

Waterhouses Aqueduct and Locks

< Next Hollinwood Canal Next > < Fairfield Junction Waterhouses Junction > Immediately after the “tunnel” the canal passes over Waterhouses Aqueduct, then climbs through four locks. HOLL 03.900.10 OS Grid Reference SD 92104 00826 Date...

Waterhouses Aqueduct

< Next Hollinwood Canal Next > < Fairfield Junction Waterhouses Junction > Waterhouses Aqueduct carries the Hollinwood Canal over the infant River Medlock which later flows into the Bridgewater Canal at the end of Castlefield Basin near...

Waterhouses Lock 19

< Next Hollinwood Canal Next > < Fairfield Junction Waterhouses Junction > There are four locks in the flight at Waterhouses, numbered 19 to 22 which continue the numbering sequence from the main line of the...

Waterhouses Lock 19

< Next Hollinwood Canal Next > < Fairfield Junction Waterhouses Junction > Looking down from Waterhouses Lock 19 we can see the narrows of Waterhouses Aqueduct below and, beyond that, the opened out Dark Tunnel. Waterway...

Waterhouses Staircase Locks 20/21

< Next Hollinwood Canal Next > < Fairfield Junction Waterhouses Junction > The middle two of the four locks in the Waterhouses Flight, numbers 20 and 21, form a staircase.  Like the others in the flight...

Waterhouses Top Lock and Junction

< Next Hollinwood Canal Next > < Fairfield Junction Waterhouses Junction > Waterhouses Top Lock 22 has an ornamental gate and it leads to Waterhouses Junction, sometimes known as Fairbottom Junction, with the Fairbottom Branch.  The...

Waterhouses Junction

< Next Hollinwood Canal Next > < Fairfield Junction Jn with Werneth Branch Canal > < JUMP TO Fairbottom Branch Next > < End of Navigation End of Navigation > Waterhouses Junction, sometimes known as Fairbottom...