Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The International Convention Centre at Brindleyplace
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Old Turn Junction is at the start of the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal, opposite Sherborne
Wharf on the Oozells Street Loop. Three of the four corners of the junction are occupied by
the Malt House hostelry (famously visited by Bill Clinton), the National Sea Life Centre and
the National Indoor Arena.
Three loops show where the contour canal used to run before being straightened: Oozells
Street Loop, Icknield Port Loop via Rotton Park and Soho Loop, which winds its way past
the prison at Winson Green. The Soho Loop rejoins at the first of several toll islands on the
canal. By this stage it has already been joined by the West Coast Main Line, remaining in
close proximity for most of the distance. Another arrival, and a feature of this part of the
canal system, is the presence of purple lupins growing wild on the embankments. Bridges
over side arms have low lattice parapets, manufactured in the local Horseley works.
At Smethwick the Old Main Loop Line diverges to the right, rising through three locks
from the Birmingham Level to the Wolverhampton Level. A feeder, Engine Branch (named
after the Boulton & Watt steam pumping engine that fed the Birmingham Canal Navigations
summit level for 120 years), crosses the New Main Line on Telford Aqueduct.
