Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Houses here have large gardens beside the canal. Wheeley Farm overlooks the canal on
top of its hill, which is steeper than most in this part of the country. The Crown is passed and
the small Weighbridge offers real ale and food behind Alvechurch marina.
Shortwood Tunnel is 560m long. It is possible to see daylight dimly through this tunnel
and the following one, the 520m Tardebigge tunnel.
Natural ventilation by the wind causes exhaust to rise silently from the downwind ends of
the tunnel, an eerie sight in the evening light. Shortwood Tunnel was reputed to be haunted
and to have an archway below water level, leading to a secret cavern, although this has not
been found. Tardebigge tunnel has moorings at both ends and points straight towards the spire
of the church in Tardebigge.
The land starts to drop away as the top lock of the Grade II Tardebigge Flight is reached,
marking the end of the 27km level pound from Birmingham. It was at this lock that Robert
and Ray Aickman met Tom and Angela Rolt on
Cressy
in 1945, which eventually led to the
setting up of the Inland Waterways Association.
The canal and the railway pass the university campus
.
