Tardebigge Top Lock – Tardebigge Reservoir loop from Droitwich Spa

01:46

26.2km

140m

Mountain biking

Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 20, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

2.30 km

Hanbury Junction

Lake

5.62 km

Stoke Bottom Lock Café

Highlight • Cafe

Great place to grab breakfast

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11.6 km

Tardebigge Top Lock is the summit of the 30-lock Tardebigge flight - the longest in the UK. From 1810-1814 it was the site of an experiemental man-powered boat lift.

If you arrive at the Tardebigge marina from the Alcester Road, the canal is downhill all the way to Hanbury, then flat to Worcester. Easier tackled in that direction!

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12.8 km

National Transport Trust Red Wheel at Tardebigge Top Lock

Highlight • Monument

The National Transport Trust Red Wheel at Tardebigge Top Lock (Worcestershire) commemorates the site of Britain's longest lock flight. Located on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, the top lock is an engineering landmark that replaced an 1815 experimental vertical boat lift, making it unusually deep.

History & Significance
The Vertical Boat Lift: Before the traditional lock was built, inventor John Woodhouse installed an experimental vertical boat lift at his own expense. A 64-ton wooden chamber lifted boats an impressive 11 feet using a windlass. The Shift to Locks: While the lift successfully raised 110 boats in 12 hours, it proved too fragile for permanent use. In 1815, it was replaced by the deep conventional lock we see today.

The Red Wheel Plaque: Awarded by the National Transport Trust, the Red Wheel acts as the transport equivalent of a blue plaque, recognizing sites of profound historical and engineering importance.

The Tardebigge Flight
The Longest in the UK: The Tardebigge Flight consists of 30 narrow locks spread across 2.25 miles, raising or lowering boats by 67 metres (220 feet). Navigation: Transiting the whole flight typically takes narrowboat enthusiasts about 4 to 5.5 hours.

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