Amenities

About South Staffordshire Narrowboat Co Ltd

The South Staffordshire Narrowboat Company Limited operates "Ernest Thomas II" on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire and Shropshire Union Canals. It provides day trips for a maximum of 12 passengers (including carers) from elderly, disabled and youth groups mainly within the South Staffs and West Midlands area.

The boat is based adjacent to the Canalside, Castlecroft Lane, Wolverhampton WV3 8JU and it is from here that most trips start and finish. Trips can be as short as four hours or up to nine hours, although these longer trips may not be suitable for the elderly.

The boat is equipped with a lift to enable those with mobility difficulties to get down into the main cabin. There are toilet facilities, a galley and central heating. All seating is flexible to accommodate individual groups.All of our trips start and end at Castlecroft Lane, Wolverhampton WV3 8JU.

Trips can be tailored to suit your requirements but there are a few “standard” trips. The usual trip is from Castlecroft south down to Dimmingsdale, where we turn. Then north to either Aldersley Junction or Autherley Junction and then back to Castlecroft. This trip takes about five hours and takes us through three locks in each direction.

A slightly longer trip is to go south to the celebrated Bratch Locks in Wombourne. Immediately below the Bratch there is a large picnic site where we can stop for about an hour before returning to Castlecroft. This trip takes us through six locks in each direction and takes about five and a half hours. In July and August the Bratch can be very busy and there may be lengthy delays.