Moorings on the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal
Key facts
- Type
- Canal
- Managed by
- Canal & River Trust
- Total length
- 40 km(25 miles)
- Region
- West Midlands
The Birmingham & Fazeley Canal runs 24 kilometres from Salford Junction in central Birmingham (where it meets the Tame Valley Canal and the Grand Union) north-east through Aston, Erdington, Curdworth and Drayton Bassett to Fazeley Junction, where it joins the Coventry Canal. As a key constituent of the Birmingham Canal Navigations and a vital network connector, the Birmingham & Fazeley sees significant through traffic — boaters heading from Birmingham toward the Trent & Mersey, Coventry, Ashby or onward to the East Midlands all use this route. For boat owners, the canal offers a varied character: industrial heritage and city moorings at the Birmingham end, the dramatic 11-lock Curdworth flight in the middle, and rural Warwickshire countryside near Fazeley. Long-stay moorings are available at Star City and Salford Junction in Birmingham, Drayton Manor (near the famous theme park), Curdworth, and at Fazeley Mill Marina. The Drayton Footbridge (a unique double-spiral pedestrian crossing) and the Bonehill Wharf area near Drayton Bassett are highlights of the rural section. For liveaboards, the canal offers reasonable value compared to central BCN moorings, with good rail at Sutton Coldfield and Tamworth (London Euston via Lichfield) and easy cruising access to both Birmingham and the wider Midlands network.