Worcester and Birmingham Canal

Worcester and Birmingham Canal – This section of the walk leads the walker from the University of Birmingham campus (near the university station) to the city centre, along a section of the Worcester and Birmingham Canal.  There are said to be more canals in Birmingham than in either Venice or Amsterdam.  The first major navigable canal was opened in 1769, connecting Birmingham’s manufactories with the coal mines of the Black Country, and greatly reducing transport costs.  This canal links Birmingham to Worcester.  Work on the canal began in Birmingham in 1792, progressing slowly, the final section being opened in 1815.  It is a double barge width canal.  One of the main users of the canal was the Cadbury Factory at Bournville.  All in all, it is 29 miles long and has 58 locks.  Starting in Worcester, it climbs 428 feet by the time it reaches Birmingham.