Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
24
Droitwich Barge Canal
Distance
12km from the Worcester & Birmingham Canal to the River Severn
Highlights
Vines Park and brine well
Chateau Impney hotel
Navigation Authority
Canal & River Trust
Canal Society
Worcester, Birmingham & Droitwich Canals
Society
OS 1:50,000 Sheets
(138 Kidderminster & Wyre Forest)
150 Worcester & the Malverns
Droitwich has long been important for its salt. The Romans used the River Salwarpe to export
it. The river was poorly canalized from 1662. The parallel Droitwich Barge Canal by Brindley
was opened in 1771 as a wide beam canal to take trows working off the River Severn.
The narrow Droitwich Junction Canal by Boddington, connecting with the Worcester &
Birmingham Canal, was not opened until 1854, after the railways had started. It was all aban-
doned in 1939. The Droitwich Canals Trust was formed in 1973 and was faced with some in-
teresting technical problems. Full reopening of the canal took place in 2011, offering the Mid
Worcestershire Ring as a convenient and pleasant 34km weekend circuit for cruisers.
