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Elliott Brown Travel & tourism
29 May 2023 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Flying over Birmingham and coming into land at Birmingham Airport

I went on holiday for a week in Italy. To the Umbria region. Flew back to Birmigham Airport from Rome Fiumicino Airport in Lazio on Thursday afternoon, 18th May 2023. Before landing at BHX, my Jet2 Smartwings Boeing 737-800 plane flew over Birmingham, circling over various areas, as far as Walsall, before landing at runway 15.

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Flying over Birmingham and coming into land at Birmingham Airport





I went on holiday for a week in Italy. To the Umbria region. Flew back to Birmigham Airport from Rome Fiumicino Airport in Lazio on Thursday afternoon, 18th May 2023. Before landing at BHX, my Jet2 Smartwings Boeing 737-800 plane flew over Birmingham, circling over various areas, as far as Walsall, before landing at runway 15.


Birmingham City Centre

I'd always wanted to try and get photos of Birmingham City Centre from a plane window coming home from holiday. This was the first time I was able to achieve this. The BT Tower is the main building visible. Plus 103 Colmore Row was visible, and as we swung around Selfridges. Was a bit hazy though.

dndimg alt="Birmingham City Centre" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BCC%20BHX%20air%2018052023%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham City Centre" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BCC%20BHX%20air%2018052023%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham City Centre" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BCC%20BHX%20air%2018052023%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham City Centre" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BCC%20BHX%20air%2018052023%20(4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Birmingham Airport

After capturing London Luton Airport and Coventry Airport on the way home, I was hoping to see Birmingham Airport, before landing. Managed to capture it with the Jaguar Land Rover factory in Solihull and the National Exhibition Centre. Would later leave the airport in a taxi going home via the A45 Coventry Road. You also have Elmdon Park.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Airport" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BHX%20JLR%2018052023%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Airport" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BHX%20JLR%2018052023%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Adderley Park

Flying over Adderley Park and the Birmingham Wheels Park. Between that is the West Coast Mainline.

dndimg alt="Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Flying%20over%20Birmingham%2018052023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Freightliner terminal - Landor Street, Birmingham

Also near Addereley Park is the Landor Street freight terminal. There is clear signs of HS2 works below.

dndimg alt="Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Flying%20over%20Birmingham%2018052023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Bloomsbury Park

Over Nechells you can see the former Aston Gas Holders, and Bloomsbury Park to the right.

dndimg alt="Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Flying%20over%20Birmingham%2018052023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Spaghetti Junction and Salford Park

Something I never expected to photograph from the air was Spaghetti Junction. It opened over 50 years ago. Salford Park looks tiny from up here, including Aston Reservoir.

dndimg alt="Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Flying%20over%20Birmingham%2018052023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Villa Park and Aston Hall & Park

To the left of Spaghetti Junction is Villa Park, home of Aston Villa Football Club. Aston Hall & Park to the right. The Cross City and Chase Lines split near here. Cross City towards Sutton Coldfield and Lichfield, and the Chase Line towards Walsall and Rugeley.

dndimg alt="Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Flying%20over%20Birmingham%2018052023%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Perry Barr Stadium

Passing Perry Barr Stadium, the home of Home of Greyhound Racing Club and Birmingham Brummies Speedway. Also nearby is the completed accommodation in Perry Barr, originally built for the Commonwealth Games as an athletes village, but was not completed in time. You can also see the new road layout since the Perry Barr Flyover was demolished a few years ago.

dndimg alt="Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Flying%20over%20Birmingham%2018052023%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Alexander Stadium and Perry Park

The Alexander Stadium was of course rebuilt for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Perry Park is next to and around it, with the Perry Reservoir and M6 motorway behind. Hopefully park access around the stadium will be restored soon.

dndimg alt="Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Flying%20over%20Birmingham%2018052023%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Flying%20over%20Birmingham%2018052023%20(8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Walsall Arboretum

Passing over Walsall Arboretum, this was the furthest north we went, before turning around to the airport. Could see the Hatherton Lake from above, and was a fun fair in the park.

dndimg alt="Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Flying%20over%20Birmingham%2018052023%20(9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Flying%20over%20Birmingham%2018052023%20(10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Witton Lakes

You could see the two sections of the lakes at Witton Lakes Park. With Perry Common behind.

dndimg alt="Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Flying%20over%20Birmingham%2018052023%20(11).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

M6 motorway and The Fort Shopping Centre

Getting closer to landing now. The M6 motorway on the left, with The Fort Shopping Centre on the right. A strip of parkland to the left in the Bromford area, near Hodge Hill. More HS2 land to the top left hand corner in Washwood Heath.

dndimg alt="Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Flying%20over%20Birmingham%2018052023%20(12).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Landing at runway 15

After circling over Birmingham, it was time to land. First passing Airparks Birmingham, then over the Sheldon Country Park. The former Monarch hanger is now STS.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Airport" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Jet2%20Smartwings%20BHX%20landing%2018052023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Airport" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Jet2%20Smartwings%20BHX%20landing%2018052023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Airport" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Jet2%20Smartwings%20BHX%20landing%2018052023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Airport" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Jet2%20Smartwings%20BHX%20landing%2018052023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Airport" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Jet2%20Smartwings%20BHX%20landing%2018052023%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

After this our Jet2 plane taxied to the Jet2 area of the airport, and two buses would take us passengers back to arrivals for passport control and baggage claim. Was a minor fire incident, and the airport fire service was out, so the buses had to go on a minor diversion, but all was ok.

 

Photography by Elliott Brown

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70 passion points
Your Place Your Space History & heritage
10 Mar 2023 - Your Place Your Space
Activity for you

Let's chat history of Nechells

This discussion is all about the amazing history and heritage of Nechells.  We want to learn more from the community of Nechells about the amazing place they live in and the history and heritage associated with that place. 

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30 passion points
Elliott Brown History & heritage
25 Jan 2023 - Elliott Brown
Did you know?

Eastside and Aston University to Nechells - Take a Tour with us!

Here is our second tour around Nechells. This time we start at the University Quarter in Eastside near Birmingham City University (BCU) and Aston University before making our way into Nechells via Aston Cross.  Of course, you could take the tour the other way.

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Eastside and Aston University to Nechells - Take a Tour with us!





Here is our second tour around Nechells. This time we start at the University Quarter in Eastside near Birmingham City University (BCU) and Aston University before making our way into Nechells via Aston Cross.  Of course, you could take the tour the other way.


Nechells Tour Two: Eastside via Aston University and Aston Cross to Nechells

Arrive in Birmingham City Centre, get off your bus near Moor Street Queensway, or off your train at Birmingham New Street or Birmingham Moor Street. From Moor Street Queensway, walk down Albert Street between the Clayton Hotel and HS2. Then head onto Park Street before entering the park.

 

Eastside City Park

The park opened alongside Millennium Point and Curzon Street in 2012, and was the first new City Park for a century. Part of the park in recent years hase been taken over by HS2.

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pink%20cherry%20blossom%20ECP%2017042022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Woodman

A public house on the corner of New Canal Street and Albert Street (now part of Eastside City Park). It was built in 1896-97 by James & Lister Lea. It was the only pub to survive the HS2 works, but it sadly closed down in the summer of 2022.

dndimg alt="The Woodman" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Curzon%20St%20Stn%20wraps%2029012022%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Curzon Street Station

This was the original terminus of the London & Birmingham Railway opening in 1838 at the corner of New Canal Street and Curzon Street. It's use declined when Birmingham New Street opened in 1854, and it closed for passengers in 1893. It was used for goods until 1966. And Parcelforce used the rear of the site until 2006. It is now part of the HS2 redevelopment, and the building will be fully restored, hopefully reopening by the 2030s, almost 200 years since it was first built!

dndimg alt="Curzon Street Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Curzon%20St%20Station%2024072022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Millennium Point

A mixed use venue, it opened in 2001 near Curzon Street in Eastside. It is home to Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum, as well as Birmingham City University and Birmingham Metropolitan College. There used to be a IMAX cinema / Giant Screen Cinema here, but is now Platform, a venue hire space.

dndimg alt="Millennium Point" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Millennium%20Point%20(Apr%202021)%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum

A paid for science museum located within Millennium Point, it opened in 2001. The main entrance used to be via the escalators to Level 2, but after the pandemic was moved to the ground floor. It replaced the Birmingham Museum of Science & Industry that used to be on Newhall Street in the Jewellery Quarter from 1951 to 1997. Most contents from that was moved here, other than those that went to the Birmingham Museum Collection Centre.

dndimg alt="Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Thinktank%20BSM%20MP%2017072021.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Parkside Building

Starting from 2011, Birmingham City University started to move their main campus from Perry Barr to Eastside. The Parkside Building next to Millennium Point was the first building to be completed and opened in 2013. On the corner of Cardigan Street with Eastside City Park (and near Curzon Street).

dndimg alt="The Parkside Building" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Parkside%20Building%20BCU%20(Jun%202013).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Curzon Building

The second BCU Central Campus building to be built was The Curzon Building from 2013 to 2015, on the corner of Cardigan Street and Curzon Street. It was followed by Curzon B to the back from 2016 to 2018, near Gopsal Street and the Digbeth Branch Canal (between Ashted locks 4 and 5).

dndimg alt="The Curzon Building" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Curzon%20Building%20BCU%20(Jul%202015).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Now walk up to the end of Curzon Street to Curzon Circle. Then cross over at the traffic lights towards Compass.

 

Compass Birmingham 

New student accommodation at Curzon Circle, between Vauxhall Road and Lawley Middleway. It was completed in 2022, and close to the HS2 line. It replaced the Curzon Gate student accommodation that HS2 demolished in 2019. Compass Birmingham was built on the site of Professional Music Technology (who moved to the Trident Retail Park in 2019) between 2021 and 2022.

dndimg alt="Compass" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/20221226_120452[1].jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Jack Babington

 

The White Tower

The White Tower aka Moriarty's is a traditional public house at the corner of Vauxhall Road and Lawley Middleway at Curzon Circle. It is near Eastside and the HS2 development.

dndimg alt="The White Tower" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/20221226_120117[1].jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Jack Babington

 

Next walk up Lawley Middleway and cross back over to Eastside, then pass University Locks, and walk down Penn Street to Belmont Row.

 

Lock Keepers Cottage

A cottage on the Digbeth Branch Canal, near the Ashted Locks flight (close to Ashted Lock 4). It might date to 1891. The last owner moved out by 2007, after the property was compulsory purchased by the Council, ahead of the Eastside Locks redevelopment. In 2019 Lucy McLauchlan (Beats 13) painted her distinct street art in the boarded up windows and door.

dndimg alt="Lock Keepers Cottage" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Photo%2009-01-2023,%2013%2054%2018%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Jack Babington

 

Now walk along Gopsal Street, before heading up Cardigan Street.

 

Eagle & Ball by BCUSU

An Ansell's pub built in the 1840s. By the 1960s it was renamed to the Moby Dicks. Now a Grade II listed building, lovingly restored and incorpoated into Birmingham City University. It was renamed back to The Eagle & Ball. It is on the corner of Penn Street and Gopsal Street, and near The Curzon Building, as well as the Joseph Priestley Building.

dndimg alt="Eagle & Ball" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Photo%2009-01-2023,%2013%2054%2018%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Jack Babington

 

Steamhouse by Birmingham City University

The Belmont Row Works built in 1899 as the Headquarters for the Eccles Rubber and Cycle Company, and it housed rubber manufactory. By 1918 it was occupied by the Co-Operative Society, which used the premises to make underwear. In 1931 the factory was making pianos, and by 1941 bedsteads. Was destroyed by a fire in 2007. Derelict for over a decade until Birmingham City University had it restored and extended as Steamhouse from 2020 to 2022.

dndimg alt="Steamhouse" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Steamhouse%20BCU%2008012023%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Cross over Jennens Road between Cardigan Street and Woodcock Street. Turn left towards the Student Accommodation, then walk past the Aston Brain Centre to the Aston University main building on Aston Street.

 

Aston University Green

If walking past Aston University Library, on the left is the University Green. When the student accommodation was rebuilt in the 2010s here, the area was re-landscaped. The Chancellor's Lake has been there for decades and the Peace sculpture dating to 1985 in the lake was by William Pye. The Students Union relocated to a new building on campus in 2019 called the Sir Adrian Cadbury Building. 

dndimg alt="Aston University Green" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Aston%20Uni%20Green%20(May%202021)%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Aston University

Aston University was founded in 1966, but it began as the College of Advanced Technology with buildings dating to 1949-55 and 1957-65. The University celebrated it's 50th birthday in 2016, and was The Guardian University of the Year 2020. The campus at Aston Triangle has been redeveloped over the 2010s.

dndimg alt="Aston University" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Aston%20Uni%20Green%20(May%202021)%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

If you want a drink, pop into Costa Coffee on Aston Street. Tesco Express is next door. There is a view in Costa towards the Sacks of Potatoes pub.

 

Sacks of Potatoes

A traditional public house in what was the Gosta Green area of Birmingham, it probably dates to the late 19th century. It's near Woodcock Street, on the Aston University campus.

dndimg alt="Sacks of Potatoes" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sacks%20of%20Potatoes%2008012023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute

The building opened as the Delicia Cinema in 1923, next to the Sacks of Potatoes pub in Gosta Green, Birmingham. After the war the cinema closed and was taken over by the BBC as television studios until they moved to Pebble Mill in 1971. Aston University took over the building, later housing the Birmingham Arts Lab in 1976. Various other uses until it was a Dillons (later Waterstones) bookstore. The building was empty from 2003, but was converted into the Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI)  in the 2010s. Only the facade of the cinema survives.

dndimg alt="EBRI" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EBRI%20(Jan%202023).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Gosta Green

A public house in a red brick building dating to 1906, originally built as offices for Ansells, later the Holt Brewery. After the brewery closed down in the early 1970s, the building was converted into a pub called the Pot of Beer, but was later renamed to the Gosta Green. It is on the corner of Woodcock Street and Holt Street.

dndimg alt="The Gosta Green" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The%20Gosta%20Green%2008012023%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Walk down Lister Street, then turn left at Dartmouth Middleway, and walk towards Dartmouth Circus. Head down the subway, where you will find the Boulton & Watt Engine of 1817.

 

Dartmouth Circus - site of the Boulton & Watt Engine of 1817

This is a Grazebrook Engine built to the designs of James Watt in 1817 at a foundry in Soho, Birmingham, by Grazebrook & Whitehouse for their Netherton foundry in Dudley, Worcestershire (now West Midlands). It was retired in 1912, remaining on site as a standby engine. It was dismantled in 1964, and is now on display at Dartmouth Circus. Made of cast iron, it is 28 feet high, and weighs 10 long tons.

dndimg alt="Boulton & Watt Engine" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/bolton%20&%20watt%20engine.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown
 

Leave Dartmouth Circus via a subway for Aston Road North. Follow the pavement towards Aston Cross, where you will find a clock.

 

Aston Cross Clock

A Historic landmark. The Aston Cross Clock Tower was made in 1891 of iron, and has four clock faces. It was near the Ansells Brewery (on site from 1881 to 1981) and the HP Sauce factory (late 19th century until 2007). The site today is East End Foods. The island is between Aston Road, North, Park Lane, Rocky Lane and the Lichfield Road.

dndimg alt="Aston Cross Clock" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Aston%20Cross%20Clock%20Jack%202021.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Jack Babington

 

Aston Cross Tavern

A former public house, Aston Cross Tavern  (also called at one point The Golden Cross) was on the corner of the Lichfield Road and Rocky Lane at Aston Cross, Birmingham. It was last called O'Reillys, closed by 2012, now flats. There has been a pub on this site since the late 18th century, but this building probably dates to the late 19th century. It was built for the Holt Brewery, and later owned by the Ansells Brewery.

dndimg alt="The Golden Cross" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Golden%20Cross%20AC%20(Dec%202016)%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Aston Cross Library

A public library built on the Lichfield Road in Aston in 1903. It was opposite the Ansells Brewery and HP Sauce factory (until they closed down). The building hasn't been a library for a long time, there is rooms to let inside. Funds to built it was provided by Andrew Carnegie, on a site gifted by William and Edward Ansell. The library closed during the 1970s.

dndimg alt="Aston Cross Library" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Aston%20Cross%20Library%20(Dec%202016)%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Next walk along Rocky Lane, turn onto Chester Street, then Avenue Road, and Rupert Street.

 

Nechells Wellbeing Centre

This facility is located on Rupert Street in Nechells. It shares a building with the Nechells Community Sports Centre.

dndimg alt="Nechells Wellbeing Centre" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/20221126_112232[1].jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Jack Babington

 

St Matthew's Church

St Matthew's Church is a Grade II listed building, built 1839-40 by William Thomas of Leamington. The first of 5 churches to be built by the Birmingham Church Building Society. Near Nechells Parkway and Duddeston Manor Road.

dndimg alt="St Matthews Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Nechells%20St%20Matthews%20Church%20-%2023rd%20November%202022.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Jack Babington

 

Loxton REC Play Park

Located in Nechells near Duddeston Manor Road, Wardlow Road, Howford Grove and Little Hall Road. It features a basketball court and play area.

dndimg alt="Loxton REC Play Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Nechells%20Loxton%20Rec%20Play%20Park%20Basketball%20Court%20-%2023rd%20November%202022.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Jack Babington

 

The Nimab Welfare Trust

A mosque and cultural centre, located in a former pub called The Winning Post. The Nimab Welfare Trust appears to have opened here around 2010, on Great Francis Street.

dndimg alt="Nimab Welfare Trust" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/20221207_125223[1].jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Jack Babington

 

Heartlands Academy

A secondary school located on Great Francis Street in Vauxhall, near Nechells, for children aged 11 to 16. Now an E-Act Academy.

dndimg alt="Heartlands Academy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/20221208_132308[1].jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Jack Babington

 

Erksine Street Park

A small park located between Erksine Street, Great Francis Street and Pitney Street in the Vauxhall / Nechells area of Birmingham.

dndimg alt="Erksine St pocket park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Erksine%20Street%20PP%20(Sept%202018)%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Birmingham Museum Collection Centre

The Birmingham Museum Collection Centre is located on Dollman Street in Nechells near Duddeston Station. The store of the Birmingham Museum Trust's collection that is not on display. Sometimes open to the public on open days.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Museum Collection Centre" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BMCC%20Warehouse%20(Sept%202018).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Walk up Dollman Street, Duddeston Mill Road, Little Hall Road, then go onto Duddeston Manor Road, cut past High Tower to Nechells Parkway, then cross over to Bodmin Grove and into Oliver Street.

 

Masjid Quba

A mosque and Islamic Centre on Oliver Street in Nechells. It was previously home to the United Reformed Church, but has been a mosque since at least 2015.

dndimg alt="Masjid quba" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Masjid%20quba%2017012023%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Jack Babington

 

Nechells POD

A community centre on Oliver Street in Nechells. It is also where the Bloomsbury Library is based now.

dndimg alt="Nechells POD" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/20221125_094221[1].jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Jack Babington

 

Walk up Rupert Street, pass Cromwell J & I School (see Nechells tour 1), then Walter Street and Long Acre.

 

St Joseph's Church

St Joseph's is a Grade II listed building and a Roman Catholic church. Was built as a cemetery chapel in 1850 by Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin. Enlarged in 1872 by Edward Welby Pugin. Restored in 1945 by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. Long Acre in Nechells.

dndimg alt="St Josephs Church" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/1669134657781.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Jack Babington

 

Church of God of Prophecy Nechells Outreach Centre

The Nechells Outreach Centre is located in this historic church building on Long Acre in Nechells. It was formerly a Presbyterian chapel of 1888-9, now the Church of God of Prophecy.

dndimg alt="Nechells Outreach Centre" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ProPhotography_Picture_2023_Photo%2005-01-2023,%2014%2026%2010.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Jack Babington

 

From here, either walk to Aston Station, or find the nearest bus stop to return to Birmingham City Centre. You should be able to catch the no 66 bus from Long Acre.

 

End of tour.

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60 passion points
Elliott Brown Art; Culture & creativity
10 Jan 2023 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Warner Village Cinemas handprints at Star City

Before Vue was Vue, it was Warner Village Cinemas at Star City, in Nechells, Birmingham. Around 1998, celebrities put their hands and signed in clay, created a mold. Star City opened in 2000, and these handprints can still be found around Star City. See if you can recognise any?

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Warner Village Cinemas handprints at Star City





Before Vue was Vue, it was Warner Village Cinemas at Star City, in Nechells, Birmingham. Around 1998, celebrities put their hands and signed in clay, created a mold. Star City opened in 2000, and these handprints can still be found around Star City. See if you can recognise any?


These stars, handprints with celebrity signatures have probably been in and around Star City since the year 2000. It wasn't Warner Village Cinemas for long, as it's been Vue for much longer.

 

WARNER VILLAGE CINEMAS

dndimg alt="WVC" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WVC%20Star%20City%20Bham%2001012023%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Dame Edna Everage

dndimg alt="WVC" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WVC%20Star%20City%20Bham%2001012023%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Kenneth Branagh

dndimg alt="WVC" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WVC%20Star%20City%20Bham%2001012023%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Denise Van Outen

dndimg alt="WVC" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WVC%20Star%20City%20Bham%2001012023%20(4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

This one is a bit hard to read? Paul G Hensleigh 78 ?

dndimg alt="WVC" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WVC%20Star%20City%20Bham%2001012023%20(5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Denzel Washington

dndimg alt="WVC" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WVC%20Star%20City%20Bham%2001012023%20(6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Barbara Windsor

dndimg alt="WVC" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WVC%20Star%20City%20Bham%2001012023%20(7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Vinnie Jones

dndimg alt="WVC" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WVC%20Star%20City%20Bham%2001012023%20(8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Joanna Lumley

dndimg alt="WVC" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WVC%20Star%20City%20Bham%2001012023%20(9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Helen Mirren

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Photography by Elliott Brown

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Elliott Brown History & heritage
10 Jan 2023 - Elliott Brown
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Nechells - Take a tour with us!

Birmingham has much more to offer than its magnificent city centre. There are some fascinating places to experience out in the neighbourhoods. Here's a look at Nechells. Well worth a visit. For history, there's some fascinating places to visit. There are some wonderful open spaces and some great places to relax.

Take our article.

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Nechells - Take a tour with us!





Birmingham has much more to offer than its magnificent city centre. There are some fascinating places to experience out in the neighbourhoods. Here's a look at Nechells. Well worth a visit. For history, there's some fascinating places to visit. There are some wonderful open spaces and some great places to relax.

Take our article.


Nechells tour 1: Aston Station to Star City, then towards Duddeston Station

Get the train from Birmingham New Street, on the Cross City Line towards Aston Station. If you have the West Midlands Railway app, it is easy to purchase your QR code ticket (use at the ticket gates at Birmingham New Street if closed).

 

Aston Station

Getting off your Class 323 train at Aston, head down the steps from platform 1 (or use the lift). Both routes takes you down to the Lichfield Road. The station originally opened in 1837, and has been part of the Cross City Line between Redditch and Lichfield since 1978. You can alternatively catch the no 65 or 67 bus routes to the Lichfield Road

dndimg alt="Aston Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Aston%20Station%2001012023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Heading down the steps you will see the former Britannia pub, and to the left of it near Holborn Hill is the now closed Swan & Mitre pub. 

 

The Britannia

This pub opposite Aston Station on the Lichfield Road was built around 1898 to 1900. It was built on the site of a previous pub called the Aston Hall Tavern, which was built in 1867, but was renamed to The Britannia in 1872. In recent years there has been cafes in the building, but it has been closed longer than it has been open.

dndimg alt="The Britannia" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Britannia%20Aston%2001012023.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Swan & Mitre

This public house on the corner of Lichfield Road and Holborn Hill was built in 1898 by James & Lister Lea. The pub is opposite Aston Station, but has been closed for many years, and had been for sale at one point.

dndimg alt="Swan & Mitre" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Swan%20Mitre%20Aston%2001012023.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Next walk up Holborn Hill into Nechells, crossing over the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal.

 

The Villa Tavern

A public house on the corner of Holborn Hill and Nechells Park Road. The pub was rebuilt from 1924 to 1925. The pub has been vacant for many years.

dndimg alt="The Villa Tavern" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/20221126_120633[1].jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Jack Babington

 

Nechells Baths

The former public baths was built on the corner of Nechells Park Road and Aston Church Road in 1910. Since the baths closed, it has become The Wisdom Cultural Islamic Centre since 2017.

dndimg alt="Nechells Baths" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/20221126_120807[1].jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Jack Babington

 

Now walk up Nechells Park Road towards Eliot Street, as next you will be passing a late Victorian Primary School building.

 

Nechells Primary E-ACT Academy

Eliot Street was originally called Hutton Street. Hence the Birmingham School Board opened it as the Hutton Street Board School in 1879, to the designs of Martin and Chamberlain. Renamed in 1897 to the Nechells Board School, by the 20th century it was called Nechells Primary School. By 2015 it became the Nechells Primary E-ACT Academy.

dndimg alt="Nechells Primary E-Act Academy" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/20221126_121600[1].jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Jack Babington

 

Continue to the end of Eliot Street, turn right up Long Acre. Then right again at Cuckoo Road. Cross over the lights and over the Grand Union Canal and arrive at Star City.

 

Mount Street Park

Before heading to Star City, perhaps pop over to the Mount Street Park. It has a childrens play area, as well as a basketball court. It is on Cuckoo Road and Mount Street, with the Grand Union Canal down the other side.

dndimg alt="Mount Street Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/20221126_122121[1].jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Jack Babington

 

Star City

A leisure and entertainment complex, Star City opened to the public near Cuckoo Road, on Watson Road in the year 2000. It opened with a Warner Village Cinemas (now Vue). It also used to have a casino. There is restaurants and cafes, a bowling alley and an amusement arcade with games. The no 66 bus route has bus stops outside, there is also a car park.

dndimg alt="Star City" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Star%20City%20Nechells%2001012023%20(4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Stop for a drink at the Costa Coffee or Subway at Star City, before walking down towards Duddeston. Leaving Star City behind, head down Watson Road, turn left at Cuckoo Road. Walk down Heartlands Parkway past the Holiday Inn Express. Next turn right onto Aston Church Road, there is an old bridge that crosses the Grand Union Canal and River Rea. Continue towards The Wisdom Cultural Islamic Centre and enter Hope Gardens.

 

Hope Gardens

A small pocket park at the corner of Aston Church Road and Nechells Park Road called Hope Gardens. There is an open basketball court, and a childrens play area. 

dndimg alt="Hope Gardens" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hope%20Gardens%2001012023%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Now walk down Nechells Park Road. You will pass the Nechells Methodist Church, on your way towards Wing Yip.

 

Free@Last

A community centre in Nechells located at Cattells Grove and Nechells Park Road. They have been providing a wide variety of opportunities for the children, young people and adults for many years.

dndimg alt="Free@Last" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/20221126_115710[1].jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Jack Babington

 

Wing Yip

A Chinese Superstore located on the corner of Nechells Park Road and Thimble Mill Lane. The famous Chinese Arch is located here. They have genuine Chinese & Oriential groceries here.

dndimg alt="Wing Yip" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/20221126_115243[1].jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Jack Babington

 

Leaving Wing Yip, walk up Walter Street, then turn onto Rupert Street. Before walking up Rocky Lane to Bloomsbury Park, there is Cromwell Junior & Infant School.

 

Cromwell Junior & Infant School

The school opened in 1889 to the designs of J A Cossins under the name of the Cromwell Street School, and was built in the Gothic and Queen Anne Revivial styles. The school is located between Rupert Street, Rocky Lane and Cromwell Street.

dndimg alt="Cromwell Junior & Infant School" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/20221126_114312[1].jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Jack Babington

 

Continue up Rocky Lane, and enter Bloomsbury Park through the gates.

 

Bloomsbury Park

This parkland was formerly called Bloomsbury Village Green, but is now known as Bloomsbury Park. It is between Nechells Parkway, Rocky Lane, Cromwell Street and Oliver Street. The childrens play area is close to Oliver Street, and is not that far from the Lanchester Car Monument, which can also be found in this park.

dndimg alt="Bloomsbury Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Nechells%20Bloomsbury%20Play%20Area%20-%2023rd%20November%202022.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Jack Babington

 

Lanchester Car Monument

This sculpture commemorates the work of Frederick W Lanchester, who in the late 19th century, produced cars on a site nearby on Bloomsbury Street. In 1995, Tim Tolkien (a great nephew of the author J.R.R. Tolkien) created this steel sculpture of the Lancester motor car.

dndimg alt="Lanchester Car Monument" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Lanchester%20CM%20Bloomsbury%20Pk%2001012023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Leaving the park, you can't help to notice a red brick and terracotta building with a distinctive clocktower, this is the old Bloomsbury Library. Head down Bloomsbury Street to Nechells Parkway, or down Bloomsbury Walk.

 

Old Bloomsbury Library

The Bloomsbury Branch Library was built in 1893 to the designs of Cossins & Peacock. Saltley Road used to go past here, but this section is now called Nechells Parkway. The building is also on Bloomsbury Walk. After Bloomsbury Library relocated to Nechells POD, the building has been used by Rising Stars Daycare. The play area outside is called Bloomsbury Library Gardens.

dndimg alt="Old Bloomsbury Library" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Nechells%20Bloomsbury%20Walk%20Old%20Library%20-%2023rd%20November%202022.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Jack Babington

 

From Nechells Parkway, cross over at the lights, and walk down Melvina Road towards Duddeston Station. On your left will be a concrete sculpture called Youth.

 

Youth statue  

A concrete statue that was made in the year 1958 by the sculptor Harry Seager. It is close to the brick wall of the Cross City Line. The trees, bushes and shrubs can be seen growing around it.

dndimg alt="Youth" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Youth%20Melvina%20Rd%2001012023.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Continue up Melvina Road until you get to Duddeston Mill Road, find the crossing and head down the steps into Duddeston Station.

 

Duddeston Station

There has been a railway station at this site since 1837, original name was Vauxhall Station, and was the temporary terminus in Birmingham of the Grand Junction Railway. This was before Birmingham Curzon Street opened by 1839. It was renamed to Vauxhall & Duddeston in 1889. Destroyed by a bomb in 1941 during the Second World War. Rebuilt in the 1950s. The line was electrified in 1966. Station renamed to Duddeston in 1974. The Cross City Line opened in 1978. It is the first stop out of Birmingham New Street heading north, on both the Cross City (Sutton Coldfield and Lichfield Trent Valley) and Chase Lines (Walsall and Rugeley Trent Valley).

dndimg alt="Duddeston Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Duddeston%20Station%2001012023%20(11).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Catch the train one stop from here to Birmingham New Street on a Class 323 train. Or walk the short distance to catch the no 14 bus back into Birmingham City Centre.

 

End of Nechells trail 1.

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