Canals and Red Bricks: A Waterside Walk from Campus to City

#birminghamtrip My journey through Birmingham began at the peaceful grounds of the University of Birmingham, where the grand red-brick buildings and the iconic Old Joe clock tower stood proudly against the spring sky. Leaving the university, I joined the canal towpath near The Vale, where the city slowly unfolded along the water’s edge. The path wound past old bridges, graffiti-covered tunnels, and quiet reflections of trees and boats in the water. As I approached the city, the canals revealed Birmingham’s industrial soul—with beautifully restored red-brick warehouses, old factories turned into cafés, and the hum of the modern city rising around the historic waterways. Reaching Brindleyplace and Gas Street Basin, the canals came alive with narrowboats, bustling pubs, and the sound of live music. The journey ended in the heart of the city, where modern glass meets red-brick legacy, and the water still tells stories of Birmingham’s past. This canal walk was more than a route—it was a journey from quiet academia to vibrant city life, with the canal as a thread weaving history, beauty, and movement through Birmingham.