The most wonderful time of the year

The end of the year doesn’t have to mean the end of cruising. Long-term boater and writer Andrew Denny spent his favourite season exploring his favourite canal

Dusk settles at Botterham staircase lock on the second day of cruising.

The lower Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal is the most beautiful on the connected British network. No, the world. There, I’ve said it. It may lack the direct efficiency of the Shropshire Union, the variety of city and country, or any of the many ‘Wonders of the Waterways’, but it offers scenery and charm unparalleled, with something to see around almost every corner.

Last year I had the pleasure of cruising its southernmost section (twice) from Aldersley Junction to Stourport and back again, during the very late autumn. No offence to the northern section, it has its charms, but it’s only lovely, it’s not sublime.

I love autumn not simply because of the leaves, but the shorter days that allow cruising as dusk turns to dark. Many people frown on cruising in the dark, but it’s not actually unlawful, it merely requires extra caution.

Outward journey

The trip down from Aldersley Junction came in October, before the …