The Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal linked the River Severn with the Trent and Mersey Canal and, as a result, after Birmingham, Stourport became the busiest inland port in the Midlands. The canal opened to Stourport in 1771 and, by 1812, the five canal basins had been built under rhe direction of James Brindley. Home to over 100 narrowboats and other craft, the restored canal and basins are managed today by the Canal & River Trust.