Early morning sunshine from Stourport-on-Severn

A stroll amongst the canal Locks of this picturesque town

A stroll amongst the canal Locks of this picturesque town

Welcome to Stourport-on-Severn! 11th August 2022 (Author’s Collection).

As long time readers to my travel journals of this English heatwave Summer of 2022 will attest, I’m fond of a story of going wrong that leads immediately to something else going right or in today’s case, going wrong, breaking my own “You can’t go wrong on a canal” mantra and was once again rescued, in a manner of speaking, by the kindness of strangers.

This stranger’s name was Geoff (name changed to protect the innocent) and with me striding purposefully in the exact opposition direction to the one I should have been I started to query my early morning wisdom. Moments later Geoff passed me and asked if I needed help or directions and of course, I was walking in the exact wrong direction yet again.

On a canal.

Now walking, or rather strolling as it was at a perfectly leisurely pace, in the correct direction of the Locks leading to the central canal “Basin” and the River Severn that flows through Stourport, Geoff regaled me in both the history and why’s and wherefores for the creation and maintenance of the canal in a town he’s lived in all of his life and why he takes this exact walk every single morning. He was fond of pointing out the many “Watering Holes” or pubs that line the route into central Stourport as well as the many that surround it’s central hub or basin, and he was equally fond of reminding me every time that he “sounds like I’m a big drinker”.

A perfect few minutes in the company of Geoff was the prelude to the 25 images that follow of my 90 minute gentle stroll around this picturesque Worcestershire town on the most sparkling of early English Summer mornings.

Please take the stroll with me, from the outskirts of the town through the central basin and marina and the weaving of the many canal Locks before we end with a crystal blue sky overlooking a lone boat and a lone swan on the River Severn.

*All images captured by me on Thursday 11th August 2022*

Please say a hearty hello to “Moondance” as she negotiates the tight waterways of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal a mile or so from the centre of Stourport.

The ancient and the modern, as well as the beautiful reflections of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal.

So many beautiful reflections. Here is the “Rising Sun” public house adjacent to canal bridge 5A or “Lower Mitton Bridge”.

“York Street Lock” and the final canal Lock before you enter the central canal basin of Stourport.

York Street Lock or perhaps more importantly, “Blossom’s Tea Rooms” on the far left.

All of this and more was described to me by my very own kindly stranger and morning tour guide, Geoff.

Reflections from Stourport Basin — Part 1.

Reflections from Stourport Basin — Part 2.

“The Tontine” and Lock Number B1.

A little battered and weathered but worthy of informational inclusion.

One of THE images of the morning and very epitome of this beautifully picturesque piece of bliss, the “Bottom Barge Lock” that leads from the canal to the River Severn.

A “Narrow Lock” that leads to the marina.

“Today it is like a maritime holiday resort and people come from across the region for a fun day out”.

Lock Number B2 separating “The Wharf” public house and “The Tontine” hotel.

Another “Narrow Lock” leading to the marina.

The sun shining on the righteous and “Kara” on a beautiful morning to amble around a canal.

Reflections again as directly ahead is the “Bottom Barge Lock” leading to the river.

So very quintessentially English!

Lock Number 1 and your destinations are either (far left) Worcester via the river or (left) Wolverhampton (ultimately) via the canal.

A clearer representation of your destination choices as well as the local rowing club in the near distance.

(1) Three final images to and from the “Bottom Barge Lock” leading to the River Severn.

(2) Three final images to and from the “Bottom Barge Lock” leading to the River Severn.

(3) Three final images to and from the “Bottom Barge Lock” leading to the River Severn.

Two final beautiful reflections from Stourport-on-Severn — Part 1.

Two final beautiful reflections from Stourport-on-Severn — Part 2.

Your humble narrator larking around inside the ruins of Lilleshall Abbey, early August 2022 (Author’s Collection).

Thanks for reading. My “Summer Project” has taken me to the waterways and many historical castle ruins as I’ve crisscrossed the border between England and Wales and my three most recently published travel articles are linked below:

Reflections from Bratch Locks
Picture book picturesque and highly recommendedmedium.com

Shakespeare in the Stratford Sunshine — Part 6
Deleted Scenes! Volume 2.medium.com

Reflections from Stewponey Locks
And another morning in some beautiful sunshinemedium.com