The Birmingham’s Waterside Circular is a fascinating, comprehensive explore that seamlessly weaves together Birmingham’s industrial heritage, beautiful Victorian parklands, and tranquil waterside paths.
This trail is a fantastic tourism guide to the unique character of the city. I chose this route to connect the famous Edgbaston Reservoir with the legendary Birmingham Canals and to follow in the footsteps of literary giants.
This guide covers my experience on this flat, yet historically rich circuit.
Key Takeaways
- My Core Activity: A flat, long-distance urban hike and historical explore.
- The Route’s Distance: A long circuit, likely around 6-7 miles (based on my timing and the number of sections covered).
- Key Landmarks: Perrott’s Folly, Edgbaston Reservoir, Summerfield Park, and the Birmingham Canals (New Main Line and Icknield Port Loop).
- The Path’s Surface: Almost entirely surfaced paths, though the canal towpath had some mud after recent rain.
- My Rating: Easy to Moderate (due to the distance), but physically easy as it is almost entirely flat.
The Full Loop: My Steps Through History and Waterways
My hike began near a pub along Harborne Road, and I immediately started following the various residential roads toward the reservoir. This early segment was essential for setting the historical scene of the route.
Towers, Waterworks, and Tolkien
Soon into my explore, I passed the beautiful old Perrott’s Folly, the striking red brick tower built in 1758—a true historical landmark. A little further on, I encountered the 1870s waterworks, which are still in use today.
Right behind the main waterworks building, I saw a second, ornate red brick tower, the old chimney. I stopped to admire the unusual character these two towers gave the skyline and reflected on the local history—it is said (though unproven) that these two distinct towers inspired J.R.R.
Tolkien, who lived nearby, for The Two Towers in Lord of the Rings. This fascinating bit of knowledge added an extra dimension to my walk.
Reservoir and Park
I reached Edgbaston Reservoir, originally Roach Pool and later enlarged by Thomas Telford in the 1820s to feed the canals. I enjoyed a gentle meander along its banks, observing the sailing and rowing activities—a perfect spot for quick outdoors activities.
Next, I entered Summerfield Park, founded in 1876 on the site of the old Summerfield House (home to the famous Chance glassmakers). Here, I spotted the red brick building that looks derelict but is actually the ornate façade of the park’s hidden bandstand, built in place of the house. This was a wonderful piece of architectural heritage and a subtle landmark.
Canalside Heritage
Leaving the park, I arrived at the Birmingham Canal and followed the towpath. This stretch is the Birmingham New Main Line, another piece of Thomas Telford’s engineering from 1827 that shortened the route to Wolverhampton. I was lucky enough to spot the resident heron fishing—a lovely piece of wildlife explore amidst the industrial history.
The path led me over two arched bridges, crossing the Icknield Port Loop, which was the original canal line from the 1700s, bypassed by Telford’s straighter new line. I then continued along the Worcester and Birmingham Canal before leaving the waterside by the university. The final segment took me through the heart of Birmingham’s entertainment district before returning to the start point.
The entire hike was almost entirely flat, which made the long distance very manageable. I negotiated a couple of park gates and two flights of steps, but the lack of stiles or kissing gates made the explore smooth. The whole circuit took me approximately 3 hours at a consistent, enjoyable walking pace.
| Trail Overview | Details from My Trip |
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Distance Covered
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~6-7 miles (Estimated long loop)
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Surface
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Almost entirely surfaced paths, with some towpath mud.
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Climbing
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Almost entirely flat (Easy gradients only).
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My Time
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3 hours (Consistent, historical hike pace).
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My Rating
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Moderate (Due to length), but physically easy.
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Features |
Perrott’s Folly, Edgbaston Reservoir, Tolkien association, Telford’s canals.
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Getting There: Transport and Timing
Starting this circular explore from Harborne Road makes for easy access, either by driving or using Birmingham’s excellent bus services. I aimed for a mid-morning start to allow for a leisurely hike and a late lunch.
Public Transport Details
- Bus Service: Harborne Road is extremely well-served by local Birmingham bus routes, making this a simple and cost-effective method of travel.
- Walk Time: The bus drops you directly onto the main road, making the walk to the starting pub negligible.
Driving and Parking Details
- Parking Situation: Parking can be found on surrounding residential side streets near the start point, but always check for restrictions. Alternatively, parking near the University area (near the end of the circuit) and taking a short bus ride might be easier.
- Cost: Street parking is typically free in this area, but space is highly sought after.
Comparative Travel Table
| Transport Method | My Estimated Time from Leeds City Centre | My Cost | Notes |
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Car (Driving)
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10–15 minutes driving
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Free (Street parking)
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Faster driving time, but finding a suitable spot can add time.
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Local Bus
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20–25 minutes total
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Standard fare
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My preferred option to avoid dealing with residential parking.
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I found that the simple bus ride allowed me to begin my historical explore without any pre-walk parking stress.
Beyond the Path: Running, Cycling, and Local Sport
This circuit is defined by its smooth, flat surfaces and long stretches, making it one of the best inner-city routes for continuous outdoors activities in Birmingham.
Running and Fitness
This is an ideal route for long, sustained run training.
- My Run Assessment: Although I chose to hike, I noted that the full loop’s length and flat, well-surfaced paths (especially the canal sections and the full Edgbaston Reservoir perimeter) make it an excellent training loop for marathon runners or those doing distance work.
- Pace Management: The lack of stiles or gates and only two short flights of steps means a runner can maintain pace for miles, which is rare in a city explore.
Cycling and Watersports
- Casual Cycling: The route is fantastic for casual cycling on hybrid bikes. The flat towpaths and well-paved park and residential sections make it safe and enjoyable.
- Watersports: The Edgbaston Reservoir is a hub for outdoors activities. I saw people sailing, rowing, and fishing—it’s Birmingham’s principal angling facility, adding another layer of tourism to the hike.
This trail is a showcase of versatile outdoors activities that utilise Birmingham’s unique waterside heritage.
Post-Trail Treats: Pubs and Cultural Vibe
The conclusion of this long explore brings you back to a truly exceptional refreshment spot, perfectly capping the experience of walking through Birmingham’s history.
My Post-Hike Venue
- The Pub Landmark: The entire circuit concludes near a wonderful pub housed in the former British Medical Institute building. This building is a spectacular piece of architectural heritage in itself.
- My Choice: After three hours of walking, I opted for a full, well-deserved meal and a cold drink in the pub’s lovely courtyard garden. This provided the perfect setting to relax and reflect on the day’s explore.
- Vibe: The atmosphere was elegant yet relaxed, a perfect match for the stately nature of the surrounding Edgbaston residential area.
Cultural Access and Heritage
- Architectural History: The pub’s beautiful indoor dining areas and the orangery, housed within the former British Medical Institute, offer a final piece of history and architectural tourism right where the hike ends.
- Entertainment District: The final segment through the entertainment district before reaching the pub provides a fun, modern contrast to the old industrial heritage seen on the canals.
This seamless transition from a historical explore to a high-quality dining experience makes the Birmingham’s Waterside Circular a complete tourism package.
Quiet Corners: Insider Tips for a Better Visit
My long hike on the Birmingham’s Waterside Circular yielded valuable details for navigating the route and appreciating its unique features.
- The Best Quiet Spot: I found the northern end of the Edgbaston Reservoir to be the quietest area. It’s furthest from the main roads and offers the most peaceful views across the water—a lovely moment of tranquil explore.
- The Two Towers Photo: To get the best photo of Perrott’s Folly and the adjacent waterworks chimney, I stopped shortly after passing them on the main road. Looking back, I could capture both striking red-brick landmarks together, reinforcing the Tolkien history and the unique skyline.
- Canal Towpath Mud: Be prepared for surface mud on the canal towpaths, even if the paths are surfaced. After heavy rain, I advise wearing old shoes or trail trainers for this section.
- The Bandstand Secret: When in Summerfield Park, take the time to walk around the back of the ornate red brick façade. Seeing the stage hidden at the rear of the beautiful structure is a great little piece of architectural knowledge and heritage.
- Road Crossings: There are a couple of necessary road crossings to be careful with, as the flow of traffic can be heavy. These moments of caution are the only interruptions to the otherwise smooth flow of the hike.
These insider details are key to a safe and enriching explore of Birmingham’s waterside.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The Icknield Port Loop is a key piece of canal history; it was the original line of the canal from the 1700s that was bypassed by Thomas Telford’s straighter and more efficient New Main Line in 1827.
No, the hike is primarily flat, but you will need to negotiate two flights of steps, which are primarily located where the towpath leaves or joins the canal sections.
Yes, I was lucky enough to see the resident heron fishing along the canal towpath—it was a wonderful piece of wildlife explore amidst the industrial setting.
While it is now a major venue for outdoors activities (sailing, angling, running), the reservoir was originally constructed to supply water to the Birmingham Canals and remains connected to that network.
The pub at the end of the circular hike is housed in the former British Medical Institute building, providing a grand and historically significant spot for a post-walk meal.
Banking the Memories: Why I’ll Return
The Birmingham’s Waterside Circular was an incredible urban hike, delivering an unexpected wealth of history and heritage over a flat, easily navigable route. Connecting Perrott’s Folly and the reservoir (with its fascinating Tolkien association) to the engineering marvels of Telford’s canals was a deep dive into Birmingham’s past. The seamless blend of long stretches of peaceful outdoors activities with vibrant city tourism makes this one of the best urban explore circuits in the UK. I will definitely return to do this loop again, perhaps as a long, continuous run to appreciate its smooth, flat course.
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