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The canals, rivers, and waterways of the Midlands and South Wales played an important role in Britain’s industrial development. Major waterways such as the River Severn and the River Wye were used to transport goods like coal, iron, and timber between towns and ports. During the Industrial Revolution, a network of canals was built to improve trade and travel, including important routes such as the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal, the Worcester and Birmingham Canal, and the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. These waterways connected factories, mines, and cities, helping industries grow and making transport cheaper and more efficient. Today, many of these canals and rivers are used mainly for leisure activities such as boating, fishing, and walking, but they remain an important part of the region’s history and landscape.

Britain’s 4,700 miles of canals and rivers are lined with historic pubs, castles, and engineering marvels. Visitors can enjoy canalside pubs like the Admiral Nelson and The Turf Hotel, explore castles such as Beeston and Chirk, and see attractions like the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Anderton Boat Lift, and National Waterways Museums. Day boat hire is widely available, and guided cruises offer relaxing ways to discover the canals’ heritage and scenery.

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Canal Pub
#1 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals

Black Star

The Black Star, 1 Mitton St, Stourport-on-Severn DY13 8YP.

  • Canalside
  • Dog Friendly
  • Family Friendly
Skippered Boat Trips
#2 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals

River Stour Trust

The Granary, Quay Lane, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2AN

  • Accessible
Museums, Park and Skippered Boat Trips
#3 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals

Moira Furnace Museum and Country Park

Furnace Lane, Moira, Swadlincote DE12 6AT.

  • Accessible
Skippered Boat Trips and Visitor Centres
#4 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals

Cotswold Canals Trust Wallbridge

Ebley Mill GL5 4UB

  • Accessible
Skippered Boat Trips
#5 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals

Pulteney Cruisers Ltd

Pulteney weir, Bathwick, Bath BA2 4AT.

  • Accessible
Canal Pub
#6 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals

Green Man

High St, Swindon, Dudley DY3 4NR.

  • Dog Friendly
  • Family Friendly
  • Food
Skippered Boat Trips
#7 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals

River King

Severn Way, Stourport-on-Severn DY13 8UY.

  • Accessible
Skippered Boat Trips
#8 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals
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Monmouthshire, Brecon and Abergavenny Canals Trust

Old Abergavenny Rd, Abergavenny NP7 9EW

  • Accessible
Skippered Boat Trips
#9 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals

Canal & River Tours

Bancroft Gardens, Waterside, Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6AT

  • Accessible
Canal Pub
#10 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals

Watermill

Park Ln, Kidderminster DY11 6TL.

  • Canalside
  • Dog Friendly
  • Family Friendly
Canal Pub
#11 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals

The Greyhound Inn

Hawkesbury Junction, Coventry

  • Canalside
  • Dog Friendly
  • Family Friendly
Canal Pub
#12 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals

The Eagle & Spur

176 Castle Rd, Cookley, Kidderminster DY10 3TB.

  • Accomodation
  • Dog Friendly
  • Food
Skippered Boat Trips
#13 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals

Hargreaves Narrowboat Trust

Boot Wharf, Bull Ring, Coton, Nuneaton CV10 7BE.

  • Accessible
Skippered Boat Trips and Visitor Centres
#14 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals

Cotswold Canal Trust Visitor Centre

Church Ln, Saul, Gloucester GL2 7LA

  • Accessible
Canal Pub
#15 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals

The Old Crown Inn

Bosworth Rd, Snarestone

  • Accomodation
  • Dog Friendly
  • Family Friendly
Canal Pub
#16 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals

The Hampstall Inn

Hampstall Ln, Astley Burf, Stourport-on-Severn DY13 0RY.

  • Canalside
  • Dog Friendly
  • Food
Canal Pub
#17 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals

Clifford Arms

Main Rd, Great Haywood, Stafford ST18 0SR.

  • Canalside
  • Dog Friendly
  • Family Friendly
Canal Pub
#18 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals

Anchor Inn

Brewood Rd, Cross Green, Coven, Wolverhampton WV10 7PW.

  • Canalside
  • Dog Friendly
  • Family Friendly
Skippered Boat Trips

Sabrina

Victoria House Victoria Quay, Victoria Ave, Welsh Bridge, Shrewsbury SY1 1HH.

CLOSED TEMPORARILY
Skippered Boat Trips
#20 Rated Attraction on the Midland & South Wales Canals

South Staffs Narrowboat Company

Castlecroft Lane, Wolverhampton, WV3 8JU

  • Accessible