Place Categories: CRT Waterway Features Locks
The Tardebigge flight is 30 narrow locks, numbered 29 to 58, on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal near Bromsgrove in Worcestershire. Together they raise the canal 220 ft (67 m) in about 2¼ miles, making it the longest lock flight in Britain. The top lock, number 58, is about twice as deep as the others.
The flight was finished in 1815. The top lock stands on the site of an experimental vertical boat lift built by John Woodhouse in 1808. The lift worked, but it was judged too fragile for regular traffic and was replaced by the lock, and some of its materials were reused in the flight.
In August 1945 Robert Aickman met Tom Rolt aboard Rolt’s boat Cressy, moored at Tardebigge, and the meeting led to the founding of the Inland Waterways Association. A plaque at the top lock marks it. Tardebigge Tunnel is just north of the top lock. Lock 58 with its side pond, the lock cottage and the nearby bridge are Grade II listed. The flight is run by the Canal & River Trust.
- Waterway: Worcester & Birmingham Canal
- Locks: 30 (nos. 29 to 58)
- Rise: 220 ft (67 m)
- Opened: 1815
- Heritage: Lock 58 and side pond Grade II (Historic England 1078238)
- Grid reference: SO 9939 6926 (top lock)
Sources: Historic England list entry 1078238; Canal & River Trust; Inland Waterways Association.
Dock specification
Illustrative photo
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Address: Tardebigge Top Lock 58
Tardebigge
Worcestershire
United Kingdom
Tardebigge
Worcestershire
United Kingdom
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: Closed
Mon
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Tue
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Wed
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Thu
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Fri
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Sat
Closed
Sun
Closed
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