A left turn to isolation at Kings Norton Junction

Friday, 13 January 2012 13:37

The Worcester and Birmingham Canal and Stratford Canal meet at Kings Norton Junction. So a new waterway for a bit - but one we are familiar with. We are not ready to brave the city yet - Birmingham awaits us next week so we turned left.

Turning at Kings Norton Junction

Junction House is the landmark everyone is familiar with ......

Junction House (1796 or 1802 depending on where you look!) was once the Worcester and Birmingham Canal Company's HQ and doubled as a toll house. BW also used it as offices. The old tolls are on a plaque set into the front of the house.

The scene at the Junction was very picturesque in the sunshine

The sani-station at Kings Norton is now defunct - it was regularly vandalised, but the water points are still before the next bridge (71). The "village" of Kings Norton, a few minutes walk away, has a long history. It was a typical village with church, pub and manor house around a green. It has now been subsumed by Birmingham and sadly the area by the canal has a bit of a "reputation". However there were narrowboats moored beside the bridge near the cottages and maybe it is better to moor near these.  

Narrowboats and cottages by Bridge 71

Next was one of the five tunnels on the Worcester and Birmingham Canal. At 2726 yards, it is the longest and was a major engineering feat under the hills that surround Birmingham. The ridge is the boundary between the northern industry and commerce of Warwickshire and Birmingham and rural Worcestershire in the south.

I am not fond of Kings Norton (or Wast Hill) Tunnel so went below! There is no towpath but by 1872 the "leggers" were relieved of the task of getting the cargo boats through and coal fired steam tugs were in use, making the trip back and forth. 

Kings Norton Tunnel north portal

Southern portal - the sun was still shining!

Immediately we were out into the Worcestershire countryside - wonderful. Rolling hills and fields and plenty of places to moor. We picked a spot about half way between Bridges 68 and 67 - isolated enough for me and near enough to the main road over Bridge 67 ahead of us. This is Hopwood - known to us as a really lovely place to spend a few days! 

Just look at the view over the hedge!

Last time we were here it was February 2010 and there was snow on the ground. Today the afternoon outside temperature went up to above 14 degrees! 

Snow in 2010 - Bridge 68

We are moored with our stern by the foremost tree. It is as pretty without the snow! 

An ideal spot for washing Epiphany - and a bit of painting if anyone was so inclined in warmer weather! 

Worcester and Birmingham Canal, Kings Norton Junction to Hopwood winding hole
1 hour 9 minutes, 3.02 miles, 0 locks