Fully rounded history

Heritage comes full circle

The reopening of Birmingham’s Roundhouse this summer, marks an important milestone in our efforts to rescue and repurpose notable historic canal sites. The sensitive revival places a beautiful building back at the heart of the local community in Ladywood, where it will draw in many visitors from further afield.

Back in 2004, our predecessor, British Waterways, had 125 heritage sites listed on Historic England’s ‘Buildings at Risk Register’. After years of methodical progress by both organisations, the reopening of Birmingham’s Roundhouse and the expected removal of the Whaley Bridge Transhipment Warehouse this summer leaves only one site on the list. And work on that remaining site at Hanwell Locks near Ealing continues apace. The £3 million restoration of the Grade II* listed Roundhouse is now complete and has been a real team effort between the Canal & River Trust, the National Trust and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The former horse stables will include space to learn about the history of the Roundhouse

Much delayed by the pandemic, the building is now fully open to the public under the auspices of a new independent charity called Roundhouse Birmingham, who will run the space as an urban recreation hub and centre for waterside events on the nearby canal. Including offices, a café-bar and community spaces, the Roundhouse is designed to be alive with activity, rather than simply being a museum of the past.

Nonetheless, the horseshoe-shaped building had a fascinating role in the development of industrial Birmingham. Canal boats brought stone to this breaking yard, store and stables. Then the horses that may have inspired its architectural design would transport the stone around the city to build or repair roads.

Now though, the building will supply new essential services to local people, contributing to the wellbeing and civic pride of the city as visitors learn more about its role in the city’s history. Many events are already up and running and this September you can take part in guided walks around the Roundhouse itself and surrounding parts of the city centre.

Feeling more active? You can choose from two kayak tours around local waterways. Or take a serene ride on our Heritage Working boat around local canal loops. Why not come along and see Birmingham, its history and our canals from a whole new perspective?

To find out more visit

roundhousebirmingham.org.uk/whats-on

The new space will include community meeting rooms, and a café-bar