We are the City of Birmingham Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
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WALK DESCRIPTION: This walk takes us from Aston Station along the Birmingham and Fazeley canal past Aston Junction and into Brindleyplace where there are ample pubs and cafes for refreshment at the end of the walk. Approaching Aston Junction the Birmingham and Fazeley canal rises through the eleven locks of the Aston flight, the first locks after Salford junction, 1.8 miles (2.9 km) away beyond our joining point. We reach Aston Junction after 1.3 miles (2 km) where the 0.9 miles (1.4 km) long Digbeth Branch heads south-east to Typhoo Basin on our left. The name Typhoo Basin, which is also known as Digbeth Basin or Bordesley Basin, comes from the well known brand of tea which was frequently offloaded from barges there. Aston Junction is notable in having two bridges serving the same lock; an iron Horseley bridge at the top and a brick bridge at the bottom. There is some seating at Aston Junction to rest our legs for a coffee break. From Aston Junction, we continue along the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal, heading south-west for 1.3 miles (2.1 km). 2 miles (3.2 km) into the walk we pass under the Snow Hill bridge, then we ascend through the 13 Farmers Bridge locks, passing the Post Office tower on our left, rising 81 feet (25 m) to reach Farmers Bridge Junction and Brindleyplace. The Farmer's Bridge Lock Flight is one of the outstanding sights on Birmingham's canal network where the canal rises through dramatically floodlit archways, office undercrofts, and tunnels. It is a truly atmospheric link to the past in the middle of a modern city. After the walk ends at Brindleyplace the walk leader will be heading for well-earned refreshment at The Prince of Wales, a beautifully-refurbished traditional Black Country Ales pub tucked away behind the new developments along the canalside. All will be welcome to join him.
To book a place on this walk, please click the link above.
JOINING INSTRUCTIONS: This is a 2.7 mile (4.3 km) walk along the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal from Aston Station to Brindleyplace. Meeting Instructions: We will meet under the bridge on Lichfield Road down the steps at the exit from either platform at Aston station at 10.43 am. This is the arrival time of the 10.36 am Cross-City train from New Street station, where the walk leader will be joining the train. If joining at New Street Station meet the leader by the head of the Birmingham Bull on the concourse by 10.20 am or remain on the train if you are already on the train passing through New Street. There is a Cross-City train from the opposite direction that arrives at Aston at 10.42. Aston Station is also served by buses 65, 67, 68 and X64. Since this is a linear walk and parking around Aston station is limited and difficult to find, using public transport is strongly recommended.
Since this is a linear walk and parking around Aston station is limited and difficult to find, using public transport is strongly recommended.
