The Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal - more commonly known as the Staffs & Worcs - was built by James Brindley and opened in 1772. It links the Trent and Mersey at Great Haywood with the River Severn at Stourport and was a useful link from the Potteries to Gloucester and Bristol. The canal runs for just over 20 miles with 12 locks to the junction with the Shropshire Union at Autherley and the BCN at Aldersley Junction.
Just after Great Haywood is Tixall Wide and to the South is Shugborough Hall, accessible from Bridge 106 and the canal then skirts around Stafford - the centre of the town is about 1.5 miles from Radford Bridge. Continuing South, the canal runs close to the M6 motorway, possibly not the best area to moor overnight, then past Teddesley Park to the East and into the pleasant village of Penkridge - a good place to stop for refreshments or to stock up on provisions. Once again the M6 runs close to the canal until Rodbaston lock when it veers to the West and approaches Gailey Wharf with its interesting round toll-keeper's watch tower.
The canal then passes a chemical works and reaches Hatherton Junction where the Hatherton Branch is in the process of being renovated with a view to making it navigable once again. The canal follows a winding course to Coven, goes under the M54 motorway and then proceeds through the Northern suburbs of Wolverhampton.
Just South of Bridge 68 the canal is narrow and there is a passing place so you should keep a look out for approaching boats. Soon after is Autherley where there is a sharp turn to the West for the Shropshire Union or you can continue South towards Stourport or take the BCN to explore the Black Country and Birmingham.
The canal then runs south from Autherley Junction to Aldersley Junction with the Birmingham Canal Navigation main line and continues south-westwards through the outskirts of Wolverhampton passing Wightwick where a National Trust property, Wightwick Manor, is easily accessible from bridge 56. The house contains some fine examples of work by William Morris and the Pre-Raphaelites.
Continuing through Wombourne the canal passes through open countryside to Swindon and on to Stourton Junction and the through a charming wooded section to Kinver. Sandstone is much in evidence in this area and, around Kinver, houses were built into the rocks and some examples still exist. Kinver is a pretty village for a stop before continuing through more pleasant wooded countryside to Caunsall, Cookley and Wolverley.
At Kidderminster there are good moorings and the canal is very close to the town centre for shopping, refreshments or an excursion on the Severn Valley Railway. From here the canal runs through the outskirts of Kidderminster and, for a short distance is in quiet countryside before arriving at Stourport - on - Severn. and the junction with the River Severn
Map Ref 26 
Stourport-on-Severn
Stourport is the only town in Britain to owe its existence solely to the canal system. Before this, there was a small hamlet called Lower Mitton but when James Brindley was looking for a location for his Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal to link with the River Severn he chose Stourport rather than Bewdley, further north on the Severn. The Staffs & Worcs provided a link between the Trent & Mersey Canal and, through the Severn, down to Gloucester and the West Country. The canal reached Stourport in 1771 and, by 1812, there were five canal basins there and the town became the busiest inland port in the Midlands.
The town grew rapidly and, by the 1780s, there were brass and iron foundries, a vinegar works and boat building yards among other industries. In 1862 the railway came to Stourport and, as with other areas, affected the prosperity of the canal and the town although between 1926 and 1949, boats from the Cannock fields delivered coal to the local power station. For some visitors it might be a little disconcerting to find that Stourport has something of the air of a seaside resort with its funfair, bingo, boat trips and more. Indeed the town has been a popular destination for day-trippers from all over the West Midlands for many years.
But as well as the latter-day attractions, Stourport retains much of its history, although the impressive Tontine Hotel, built by the canal company in 1788, is now closed and destined to be turned into apartments. The Clock Warehouse is now headquarters of the Stourport Yacht Club and in Mart Lane, adjacent to the basins, you'll find an 18th century terrace of workmen's cottages. Nearby the previously filled-in Lichfield Street basin has been restored and will accommodate the ever-increasing need for moorings.
Whether you fancy a trip to the funfair, a drink or meal, to stock up on provisions or soak up some history then take a look around Stourport-on-Severn. Everywhere is within easy walking distance and the main shopping area is around York Street, High Street and Lombard Street. The basins can be quite busy and mooring may be difficult, if you want to explore the town, there are visitor moorings north of York Street Locks
Map Ref 27 
The Angel Inn 14 Severnside, Stourport-on-Severn Tel: 01299 822661
Customer Moorings. Stourport's only riverside pub. Well-known boaters pub that dates back to the early 18th century. Traditional pub grub, cask ales and guest beers. Riverside seating, traditional Sunday lunch, en-suite accommodation. Open daily 11am-11pm Food available every day.
Map Ref 28 
The Rising Sun, Lombard Street, Stourport-on-Severn Tel:01299 822530
Canalside at bridge 5a. Early Victorian town centre pub,popular with both locals and boaters. First and last pub on the Staffs and Worcs. Offering cask ales, guest beers and freshly-prepared traditional pub meals. Children welcome, dogs allowed in the bar. Live music Sat. evenings throughout summer. Open10.30 - midnight daily (Noon-Midnight Sun). Food served Noon-2 and 6.30-9. Traditional Sunday Roast Noon-4pm
Map Ref 29 
The Severn Valley Railway, The Station, Kidderminster Tel: 01299 403816
15 mins from the canal. One of the largest collections of working steam locomotives and coaches operating trains over 16 miles, from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth every weekend of the year and daily from daily in summer plus local school holidays -please phone to check. Catering facilities on trains, luncheon trains on Sun and some Weds plus theme evenings.
Map Ref 30 
The Lock Inn Wolverley Road, Wolverley, Tel: 01562 850581
Canalside at Wolverley Lock and Bridge 20. Popular canal pub with a warm, friendly atmosphere. Large upstairs restaurant, families welcome. Cakes and ice cream available in the adjacent Tearoom Garden. Open daily from 11am - Midnight, Tearoom open 9.30am - 5pm
Map Ref 31 
The Queen's Head Wolverley Village Tel: 01562 850333
5 minutes from Bridge 20. Real ales, Pool, Games Room, Boaters welcome. Quiz Night Sunday, Open Mic Night Tuesday, Live Music Friday, Saturday. Jazz Sunday Sunday Roast Dinner £6.50
Map Ref 32 
The Anchor Inn, Caunsall Road, Caunsall Tel: 01562 850254
10 mins West of bridge 26 Opened in 1840 and has been run by members of the same family for 70 years. Real ale, cider and freshly-prepared pub food. Beer Garden. Children and dogs welcome. Open Noon-4 & 7-Midnight Mon-Sat, Noon-3 & 7-10.30 Sun
www.theanchorinncaunsall.co.uk
Map Ref 33 
The Navigation, Greensforge, Kingswinford Tel: 1384 273721
Canalside at bridge 37/lock 16. 18th century pub offering traditional pub food and locally-brewed beers. Customer moorings, children welcome until 8pm. Barbecues at weekend in summer. Open daily from 9.30.
Map Ref 34 
Alex's 5a Bridgnorth Road, Compton, Wolverhampton Tel: 01902 759274
Canalside at Bridge 59. Restaurant Cafe Bar opened last May. Alex has brought authentic Mediterranean cuisine to the area. Ground-floor cafe, first-floor dining area and canalside terrace. Customer moorings, Lunch-time special - two meals for £9.95 Monday - Saturday. Open daily ex Sun & Mon evenings.
Map Ref 64 
The Fox & Anchor, Coven Tel: 01902 798786
Canalside at bridge 71. Serving traditional English food and cask-conditioned ales. Daily specials, children welcome at all times, large canalside seating area. Open daily 11am-11pm (Noon-10.30pm Sun). Food served daily Noon-10pm (9.30 Sun).
"Very good food and very good friendly service"
"Wonderful meal, very efficient staff. All nicely presented and not often seen coffee refills free of charge. Must be very popular with the locals"
"Very good. Good atmosphere and service. Food enjoyable and reasonably priced. Definitely recommend"
"Good food and service. Dogs can stay at your table outside"
"Popular mooring site. Good menu and beer. Very good value. Recommended"
Map Ref 61 
Penkridge
Penkridge lies just 5 minutes west of Bridge 86 and dates back over a thousand years - when the area was occupied by the Danes.
The village grew over the next few centuries thanks, in part, to its sheep and horse fairs but the Black Death in the 15th century saw the beginning of the decline of the area.
During the 18th century Penkridge became an important stopping off point for coaches and later the canal and railway brought further prosperity to the village.
Penkridge's horse fair was a popular event, attracting dealers and jockeys from all over the country. During this period, the Littletons were the most important family in the area, building the nearby Teddesley Hall.
Visitors to the Hall included Handel, the Duke of Wellington and Sir Robert Peel. The early 20th century saw a decrease in the village's population due to losses in the First World War and agricultural workers moving to work in industry in Wolverhampton and Stafford.
In the last 50 years the village has begun to grow again but the narrow streets and their names retain much of the historic character of the village. With its mix of shops, pubs, cafes and banks plus a museum in the old jail, Penkridge will reward anyone taking a couple of hours to explore the village
Map Ref 62 
The Boat, Cannock Road, Penkridge Tel: 01785 715170
Canalside at bridge 86
Traditional and lively pub serving real ales and delicious homemade food. Curry Night Tues - £3.95, Sizzler Night Wed 8oz rump steak £6.50. Bar open Noon -11.30 Mon- Thurs, Noon - Midnight Fri, Sat, Noon - 11 Sun. Food served Noon-9 daily ex Sun (8pm)
Map Ref 63 
Penkridge Market
5 mins from bridge 86, Penkridge Market has over 100 stalls on hardstanding with many undercover. Market open 9am-3pm Wed, 9am-4pm Sat. Eggs, Plants and Poultry Auction every Wed at 11.30am. Bank Holiday Market and Car Boot Sale. Farmers Market every 3rd Saturday in month