A number of local spots have been included in a new Places to Visit in the West Midlands guide.

Released by national waterways charity the Canal & River Trust, the free guide provides maps, information about visitor facilities and free activities, and ways to get the most out of visiting the region's canals and rivers.

Locally Hatton Locks, Bancroft Basin in Stratford-upon-Avon, Coventry Canal Basin and Earlswood Lakes are all included. 

Last year over 10 million people visited the charity's 2,000-mile network of canals and rivers.

Henriette Breukelaar, the Canal & River Trust's director for West Midlands, said: "The Canal & River Trust cares for over 500 miles of canals in the West Midlands, providing free to visit outdoor open spaces, and the chance to connect with nature and the region's rich canal history. 

"Every year, millions of people visit our waterways to be active, relax and to enjoy the scenic landscapes our canals offer. 

"Our canals provide free and low-cost family-friendly days out by the water, and the chance to have some fabulous waterside experiences this Easter. 

"Even in city centres, people can spot a variety of birds, animals, insects and plants along our canals and rivers. 

"And from locks and bridges, to tunnels and aqueducts, there are hundreds of historic structures to marvel at.

"We want to encourage more people to visit our canals, rivers, reservoirs and docks so they can experience the physical and mental health and wellbeing benefits of spending time by water, and find out more about the work of our charity to care for the nation's world-famous historic network."

The Canal & River Trust's Places to Visit in West Midlands guide includes:

Bancroft Basin in Stratford-upon-Avon

Bancroft Bain in Shakespeare's Stratford connects the River Avon to the Stratford Canal. 

Now surrounded by gardens, the basin was once home to wharves and warehouses with canal boats loading and unloading coal. 

Visitors to Bancroft Basin can enjoy a traffic-free cycle or walk along the Stratford Canal to Mary Arden's house, explore the river on a boat trip, enjoy a picnic in the park and views of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, and watch waterway wildlife, including the famous colony of Stratford swans. 

Coventry Canal Basin

This once busy industrial site is now transformed into a place to relax by the water. 

Visitors to Coventry Canal Basin (CV1 4LY) can visit the Canal & River Trust's welcome hub in the historic Weighbridge Office, admire the hump-backed Draper's Fields Bridge, industrial warehouses and coal vaults, and enjoy a walk or traffic-free bike ride along the towpath towards Hawkesbury Junction.

Hatton Locks near Warwick

Nicknamed 'The Stairway to Heaven', the 21 locks at Hatton take boats 45 metres up, or down, the Grand Union Canal. 

Visitors can discover more about the history of the area at the Trust's welcome hub, see heritage working boats 'Malus' or 'Scorpio', follow the wildlife trail along the lock flight, and enjoy a coffee at the Hatton Locks Café next to the top lock.

Earlswood Lakes near Solihull

Originally constructed to supply water to the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal, today Earlswood Lakes (B94 6AD) are one of the best places in the area to spot wildlife and enjoy nature. 

Visitors to Earlswood Lakes can enjoy a 2.6-mile accessible walking trail, watch out for woodpeckers, kestrels, owls, otters and muntjack deer, and follow the path to the Old Engine House, once used to pump water into the canal feeder channel.

Other spots include:

• Ellesmere in Shropshire
• Fradley Junction in Staffordshire 
• Great Haywood Junction near Stafford
• Harecastle Tunnel in Stoke-on-Trent
• Stourport-on-Severn Basins
• The Bratch near Wolverhampton
• Whitchurch & Grindley Brook in Shropshire
• Birmingham City Centre
• Diglis Island in Worcester
• Hawkesbury Junction

Download the free guides here.