Birmingham Central

Birmingham Canal Navigations

More miles of canals than Venice! Birmingham’s canals form part of an amazing network steeped in history from the Industrial Revolution. Visit the centre of Birmingham to find out why these canals were once the motorways of their time.

Birmingham’s canals form part of an amazing network steeped in history from the Industrial Revolution. Visit the centre of Birmingham to find out why these canals were once the motorways of their time.

What is there to do?

• National Sea Life Centre
• Meeting of canals
• Café’s and restaurants
• Boat trips
• Canal trail

Want to know more?

Few people realise that the City of Birmingham has more miles of canals to offer than the City of Venice.

Clues that these canals would have once been motorways of their time, can easily be found and they show us of a time where horses were once used to tow narrow boats along canals, laden with cargoes as diverse as coal and cocoa crumb.

Log on to waterscape to find out much more about this city of Canals!

To find out more about the Birmingham waterways contact the West Midlands British Waterways office on; T: 01827 252000, E: enquiries.westmidlands@britishwaterways.co.uk

Visitor Information Centre, 22 Cambrian House, Birmingham, B1 2AN

Families

A visit to the National Sea Life Centre or other attractions in Central Birmingham can easily be combined with a walk along the neighbouring towpaths.

Calling all chocoholics. The famous Cadbury World offers a great (and tasty) day out for all the family, and any calories accidentally imbibed on the tour can be worked off with a walk along the Worcester & Birmingham Canal afterwards.

These among many other attractive café’s, shops and boat trips can make an ideal day out for the family.

What about schools and groups?

Give children the opportunity to learn about the history and development of canals in Birmingham, whilst combining the visit with the National Sea Life Centre.

The ‘Central Birmingham Trail’ begins in Brindley Place, outside the National Sea Life Centre, home to the fantastic one million-litre ocean tunnel.

The combination of these visits can add an interesting angle to an educational visit and make a great day out for schools and groups.