Built in 1779, both the Stourbridge and Dudley Canal No:1 link Birmingham and the Black Country to the River Severn at Stourport.
Though the Dudley Canal had to deal with major construction and subsidence problems. The Delph Flight was rebuilt in the 1850's hence there now being 8 and not 9 locks.
They have an Waterfall overflow system, which should be interesting to see in high water.
The site of a huge iron works (Round Oak) is now a large shopping centre and office development (Merry Hill and The Waterfront).
There are steps down to Merry Hill from the canal and you pass through The Water Front development.
At Park Head Junction (Blowers Green), The Dudley No:2 Canal leaves to the East. This links via the Netherton Tunnel Branch with the BCN.
The Dudley No:2 Canal used to link with the Birmingham and Worcester Canal near to Selly Oak.
But the tunnel is now blocked and the canal eastwards lost. This Canal now stops at the Hawne Basin, Burton Bridge. Which is the home of the Coombeswood Canal Trust.
The Dudley Canal, is about a mile and a half long. Is narrow and very dark, engines must not be used.
You need to contact The Dudley Canal Trust to arrange passage through. By contrast, the newer Netherton tunnel (also about a mile and a half long) is two way and you can walk through it on the tow path.
You pass under the BCN canal on the Netherton Branch Canal, there is a foot path link between the two.
The tunnels that have NO navigation for small craft are:
Dudley on Dudley No:1 Canal
Gosty Hill on Dudley No:2 Canal
Netherton on the Netherton Tunnel Branch of the Dudley Canals
For an urban canal, its quiet pleasant as it winds its way through the Black Country. most of the industry and mining is no more the canal to some extent forgotten but not abandoned.
The book "The Birmingham Canal Navigations" by the Birmingham Branch I.W.A, gives more information on this canal.