Stourport

This is the point where the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal runs into Stourport Basin.

York Street Lock on the canal is just behind the bridge. On the opposite side of the basin (behind the camera) locks lead down into the River Severn.

The Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal was one of the earliest canals in the country, being opened in 1772. Stourport was a real inland port, with narrowboats coming in from the canal and barges coming in from the River Severn. These barges ("Trows") would be capable of going down the Severn estuary to Bristol. All sorts of cargoes would have been transferred between boats here. The basins and wharves would have been extremely busy.

See Google Aerial View of this location.