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One of my concerns with the direction of the route was getting through the Tardebigge flight efficiently. I don't want to get stuck at the bottom if we arrive too late in the day to make it up the flight as I gather there are no places to moor overnight once on the flight.

After some discussion with the family, I think we have decided on the Stourport ring. I did some trip planning on canalplan and after a lot of looking at potential lunch stops and overnight mooring places, I was left wondering if there is any difference in which way you do the ring?

Thank you for all the replies. I should have been a bit more specific when I said Worcester to Stratford; I was thinking of heading down the Severn and then up the Avon, not going on the Avon ring. My worry about the river option would be finding moorings in town. We are leaving from Lowesmoor Wharf (with ABC Boat Hire) in Worcester, if that makes any difference at all. Thirty years ago, when I was 20, we did the Avon from Stratford and I think we got to Upton-on-Severn, but my memory is a bit hazy. I understand that the waterways are a bit busier these days, hence my concern about moorings. I've attached a PDF with the itinerary I put together with the help of canalplan. Does it look realistic? As a bit of background, I grew up in the UK (in Marple, the junction of the Peak Forest and Macclesfield canals) and I have lived in the US for 30 years. My wife and in-laws are American, so all the pressure is on me to get this right! To be honest I think we would likely be fine whichever route we pick, but I did want to get the opinion of those more informed. Thanks! Canal Boat Holiday 2017.pdf

Hi All! I'm looking for some advice about which route might be best to take for a one week (7 nights) trip leaving from Worcester. The two routes we have been looking at are an out-and-back to Stratford and the Stourport Ring. We will be starting out on Monday, July 24th and have to be back to Worcester by 9am the following Monday. We are leaning towards doing the out-and-back to Stratford, but we a little concerned about finding moorings at the various stopping places. How likely is it that some towns might have no available moorings, either for a lunchtime or overnight stop? This would be a bit of a disaster as it would force us to press on to the next destination. If we choose the ring option, I don't think mooring would be a problem (from what I've read) but is this a nice route to take? I know we will pass through some fairly urban and industrial areas, but is there enough real English countryside (including pubs) to make up for it? If the canal is busy, how much of delay would you expect at the locks? On the ring, it would seem that we are more committed to the original route than we are on the out-and-back. Any advice and/or suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance! Andy