Alvechurch Marina in Worcestershire

Scarfield Road, Alvechurch, Worcestershire. B48 7SQ

Things to do from Alvechurch Marina

From Alvechurch you can visit the Black Country Museum, Cadbury's world, Warwick castle, Drayton Manor Theme Park and the Tamworth Snowdome.

Black Country Museum - See the historic building brought to life and meet the characters who lived and worked in bygone times, there will be a warm welcome awaiting you at the Bottle and Glass where you can try a traditional pint of Black Country Real Ale.

Cadburys World - At the world famous chocolate factory take a tour and see the your favourite chocolate being made, visit the museum and learn the history of chocolate from the Aztec's to present day.

Warwick Castle - Be a guest at a house party hosted by Daisy, Countess of Warwick meet Daisy and her friends preparing for their party, visit the dungeons or enter the labyrinth of lost soles.

Drayton Manor - Packed with great rides and set in 280 acres of parkland it features some of Europe's wettest and scariest rides including The Shockwave, a stand up roller-coaster, Apocalypse and Pandemonium a ride to turn your world upside down.

The Snow Dome - Have really great fun on real snow have a skiing or snowboarding lesson and let the children play in the children's play-area or on the mini ice rink

Directions

By Road : The marina is on the western edge of the village of Alvechurch, close to the railway station.

Exit the M42 at Junction 2 (to Birmingham South, Redditch).Take the A441 towards Birmingham for 1/2 mile.

At mini-roundabout take 1st exit (to Alvechurch) for 1 mile. At mini-roundabout go straight on (slightly to left), 2nd exit (to Alvechurch).Pass under the motorway and continue into the village for 1/2 mile, straight across the mini-roundabout. Immediately after the pedestrian traffic lights turn right.

Brown marina sign on the left points towards the marina. Pass over a double hump-backed bridge (the railway, then the canal) and the marina entrance is 100m on the left.

By Rail: From London: Go to London (Euston) station and take the train to Birmingham (New Street) station. On weekdays and Saturdays trains depart every 30 minutes and the journey time is about 90 minutes.

At Birmingham (New Street) change trains to the local service to Redditch. This service operates every 30 minutes and journey time is about 40 minutes. Alvechurch is an unmanned station which is the last stop before Redditch. The marina is only about 300 metres from the station.

On the road outside the station turn left and go over the railway and canal bridges and we are 100 metres on the left. If you need assistance with luggage when you arrive at Alvechurch station please send one of your party ahead to the marina to request assistance.

For information about train timetables and ticket costs for all mainline rail transport please go to www.thetrainline.com.

By Air : From Birmingham International Airport: Take a taxi to the marina (about 30 minutes). From Luton, Heathrow, Gatwick or Stansted:

Take the inter-airport coach service to Birmingham International Airport then take a taxi as above. Alternatively, make your way to London (Euston) and take a train as above.

Routes:

Black Country Ring | Birmingham & Return | The Stourport Ring | The Avon Ring | The Birmingham Mini Ring | The Warwickshire Ring | Stratford Upon Avon & Return | The Lapworth Flight

The Black Country Ring

7 nights, 48 hours, 80 locks

This route is packed with options for family activities and also includes a rich mixture of canal scenery.

• Birmingham centre boasts the Sea Life Centre, the NIA, Symphony Hall and Brindley Place, all with canal frontage.

• Encounter life as it was when the canals were built for commercial use at the Black Country 'Living Museum' at Tipton.
(0121 557 9643) www.bclm.co.uk

• Amongst other attractions on the route are Dudley Zoo & Castle (01384 215 313) www.dudleyzoo.org.uk and Shugborough Hall.

 

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Birmingham and Return

8 hours, no locks

Use a canal boat as your base for a weekend in the active centre of Birmingham, or explore some of the Birmingham Canal Navigations. It is reputed that there are more canals in Birmingham than in Venice, and certainly just as much to see and do.

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The Stourport Ring

7 nights, 48 hours, 116 locks

One of the most popular one-week cruises from Alvechurch, this route of contrasts takes in the 21st century city center, 19th century heritage and some of the most rural stretches of canal imaginable.

• Much of the stunning new development in Birmingham city centre is focused on the canalside area. Symphony Hall, the International Convention Centre and the Sea Life Centre are all very close by.
(Birmingham Tourist Information Centre 0121 693 6300 )

• If time permits, experience the wonder of steam trains on the Severn Valley Railway, with a trip from Kidderminster to the picturesque market town of Bridgnorth.
(01299 403 816) www.svr.co.uk

• Take an enviable river perspective of the magnificent Worcester cathedral in a city where you will also find both quaint and modern shopping malls and, of course, the Royal Worcester Porcelain factory.
(Worcester Tourist Information Centre 01905 726 311) www.visitworcester.com

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Avon Ring

10/11 nights, 58 hours, 139 locks
(Additional license required for River Avon)

To really enjoy the delightful river cruising on both the Severn and Avon, you will need a 10 or 11 night break. In fact, allowing two weeks enables a detour down to Gloucester to visit it's docks, warehouses and museums. Worcester, Tewkesbury, Evesham and Stratford each offer a superb mixture of culture, history and shopping.

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The Birmingham Mini Ring

4 nights, 22 hours, 49 locks

A four night mid-week break that takes you through some of Britain’s finest industrial architecture, travelling along the Worcester & Birmingham, Grand Union and Stratford-upon-Avon Canals.

• Breathtaking Warwickshire countryside cruising through some exclusive villages of the area.

• Moor at the National Sea Life Centre - a real treat for every member of the family.
(0121 643 6777) www.sealife.co.uk

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 Warwickshire Ring

10/11 nights, 58 hours, 128 locks

Another route with the option to moor at the heart of Birmingham, this cruise includes the spectacular Hatton locks and some fine stretches of the Grand Union canal.

• Once at Coventry, it is a short walk to the war-torn cathedral and its striking 1962 replacement.

• Drayton Manor Park & Zoo (01827 287979) and the Snow Dome at Tamworth (08705 000011) www.snowdome.co.uk offer activities for all the family.

• Warwick Castle is possibly the finest medieval
castle in the country. (0870 442 2000) www.warwick-uk.co.uk

• On a two week cruise, include a trip along the Ashby Canal.

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Straford-Upon-Avon & Return

7 days, 42 hours, 110 locks

Cruise through idyllic stretches of Worcestershire & Warwickshire countryside to this historic town.

• Two National Trust properties - Packwood House and Baddesley Clinton Hall - are within walking distance of the canal.

• Moor in the beautifully maintained canal basin at Stratford, by the steps of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre (01789 269191) www.rsc.org.uk - the convenient Tourist Information Centre (01789 293127) gives details of all you need to know about Shakespeare’s birthplace.

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Lapworth Flight / Kingswood Junction / Hatton (& Return)

3-4 nights, 8 hours, 0 locks (Top of Lapworth)

Briefly heading north, then turning down on the Stratford Canal towards Stratford, this relaxing route involves no locks at all. The views around the “Lapworth Flight” (of 18 locks) are stunning, and a leisurely walk along the canalside from the top lock allows you to take in the atmosphere without the effort of travelling through yourself!

4 nights, 19 hours, 36 locks (Bottom of Lapworth)

• Taking a midweek break gives time to go down the locks to Kingswood Junction. Just a couple of hours further cruising takes you towards either Knowle, the top of Hatton Flight or Wootton Wawen.

•Country World Craft Village is a short walk from the top of Hatton locks. (01926 843411) www.hattonworld.com