Body

Stratford-on-Avon Canal (starting from Kings Norton)

Pubs & Restaurants

Location What's there Comments Date

Shirley, Bridge 8 The Drawbridge Big modern food orientated pub with a few real ales. Very handy for a quick pint while hovering in the narrow section of canal outside. Nov 2008 (CA)

Waring's Green, Bridge 19 Blue Bell Cider House There's still a fine old pub in the middle of it all, but there's been many extensions over the years to cater for family dining. Sells a couple of interesting beers in addition to the traditional ciders that made the pub famous. Jan 2009 (CA)

Bull's Head Only a 5 minute walk from the Blue Bell along Limekiln Lane. Fine old pub selling Thwaites beers. Money looks interesting but our lunchtime snacks disappointed. Jan 2009 (CA)

Lowsonford

Fleur de Lys Enjoyed an excellent meal at the Fleur de Lys (reserve a table - we had to wait until 9 pm to get one on the Saturday night). April 2008 (PA)

Sells food all day, every day May 2008 (CA)

We strongly recommend the pies, which are home made at the pub. July 2008 (MB)

Preston Bagot, Bridge 48 The Crab Mill Excellent lunch June 2008 (CH)

Wooton Wawen

Navigation Inn Not a bad meal (roast beef) April 2008 (PA)

Opens at 11.00 am and has a very basic but adequate menu. August 2008 (VB)

Wilmcote Masons Arms Good choice of food in a friendly pub May 2008 (CA)

Wilmcote Mary Arden Inn Atmosphere is more "sterile" than Masons Arms, otherwise OK May 2008 (CA

Bancroft Basin, Stratford

"Thespians" Indian restaurant, visible from canal basin £24 for 2, good food. 10% off with theatre ticket. May 2004 (CH)

We ordered Indian/Bangladeshi take-away. This was by far the best Indian food we'd eaten in a long time despite being regular consumers of this sort of food and we would strongly recommend it for those with similar tastes. July 2008 (MB)

Hussein's Our favourite Indian restaurant (for after theatre food); had yet another curry. Delicious! August 2008 (VB)

Shopping & Facilities

Bridge 25, Hockley Heath One-stop shop Small, but convenient May 2004 (CH)

Lock 15, Kingswood Canal souvenir shop May 2004 (CH)

Bridge 53, Wooton Wawen Shopping outlets in the farmyard down the hill. The café serves a smashing breakfast but on Sundays doesn't open until 10 o'clock, so if you're late risers it's well worth the 10 minute walk. There are also clothing outlets, some specialist shops and a small general store for essentials. July 2008 (MB)

Stratford Good selection of shops in centre including a late night Co-op May 2008 (CA)

Good & Bad Moorings

Lapworth Link Great Canal location If travelling full length of Stratford Canal enter link, wind in Grand Union and return. If there's no room in the link there's probably space on the Grand Union itself. May 2008 (CA)

Lock 29 Rural scenery. May 2004 (CH)

Bancroft Basin, Stratford Middle of town, yet set in parkland Quiet at night. Many tourists in daytime. May 2004 (CH)

Navigation Notes

Wilmcote flight

Be warned - the locks on the Wilmcote flight are very hard work, especially for a crew of two. They feature annoyances like the bottom lock swinging open before you have time to open a top paddle. They are also very narrow, so take in the pipe fenders and roll up the cratch cover. April 2008 (PA)

We found that the overflows at the Wilmcote locks created quite a fierce cross-flow at the entrance to each lock and it was difficult to keep the boat lined up on entry. July 2008 (MB)

Location	What's there	Comments	Date
Shirley, Bridge 8	The Drawbridge	Big modern food orientated pub with a few real ales. Very handy for a quick pint while hovering in the narrow section of canal outside.	Nov 2008 (CA)
Waring's Green, Bridge 19	Blue Bell Cider House	There's still a fine old pub in the middle of it all, but there's been many extensions over the years to cater for family dining. Sells a couple of interesting beers in addition to the traditional ciders that made the pub famous.	Jan 2009 (CA)
Waring's Green, Bridge 19	Bull's Head	Only a 5 minute walk from the Blue Bell along Limekiln Lane. Fine old pub selling Thwaites beers. Money looks interesting but our lunchtime snacks disappointed.	Jan 2009 (CA)
Lowsonford	Fleur de Lys	Enjoyed an excellent meal at the Fleur de Lys (reserve a table - we had to wait until 9 pm to get one on the Saturday night).	April 2008 (PA)
		Sells food all day, every day	May 2008 (CA)
		We strongly recommend the pies, which are home made at the pub.	July 2008 (MB)
Preston Bagot, Bridge 48	The Crab Mill	Excellent lunch	June 2008 (CH)
Wooton Wawen	Navigation Inn	Not a bad meal (roast beef)	April 2008 (PA)
Wooton Wawen	Navigation Inn	Opens at 11.00 am and has a very basic but adequate menu.	August 2008 (VB)
Wilmcote	Masons Arms	Good choice of food in a friendly pub	May 2008 (CA)
Wilmcote	Mary Arden Inn	Atmosphere is more "sterile" than Masons Arms, otherwise OK	May 2008 (CA
Bancroft Basin, Stratford	"Thespians" Indian restaurant, visible from canal basin	£24 for 2, good food. 10% off with theatre ticket.	May 2004 (CH)
	"Thespians" Indian restaurant, visible from canal basin	We ordered Indian/Bangladeshi take-away. This was by far the best Indian food we'd eaten in a long time despite being regular consumers of this sort of food and we would strongly recommend it for those with similar tastes.	July 2008 (MB)
	Hussein's	Our favourite Indian restaurant (for after theatre food); had yet another curry. Delicious!	August 2008 (VB)
Shopping & Facilities
Bridge 25, Hockley Heath	One-stop shop	Small, but convenient	May 2004 (CH)
Lock 15, Kingswood	Canal souvenir shop		May 2004 (CH)
Bridge 53, Wooton Wawen	Shopping outlets in the farmyard down the hill.	The café serves a smashing breakfast but on Sundays doesn't open until 10 o'clock, so if you're late risers it's well worth the 10 minute walk. There are also clothing outlets, some specialist shops and a small general store for essentials.	July 2008 (MB)
Stratford		Good selection of shops in centre including a late night Co-op	May 2008 (CA)
Good & Bad Moorings
Lapworth Link	Great Canal location	If travelling full length of Stratford Canal enter link, wind in Grand Union and return. If there's no room in the link there's probably space on the Grand Union itself.	May 2008 (CA)
Lock 29	Rural scenery.		May 2004 (CH)
Bancroft Basin, Stratford	Middle of town, yet set in parkland	Quiet at night. Many tourists in daytime.	May 2004 (CH)
Navigation Notes
Wilmcote flight		Be warned - the locks on the Wilmcote flight are very hard work, especially for a crew of two. They feature annoyances like the bottom lock swinging open before you have time to open a top paddle. They are also very narrow, so take in the pipe fenders and roll up the cratch cover.	April 2008 (PA)
Wilmcote flight		We found that the overflows at the Wilmcote locks created quite a fierce cross-flow at the entrance to each lock and it was difficult to keep the boat lined up on entry.	July 2008 (MB)