IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Yarningale Close, BIRMINGHAM, B30 3NB

The canal has entered the tree shrouded cutting leading towards Brandwood Tunnel. This part of the canal was built in the mid 1790s, though financial problems (what's new?) caused delays before the canal could open as far as Kingswood Junction (with the Grand Union) in 1803. The second stage (to Stratford) did not start until 1812, and was finished by 1815.

Here the canal is approaching the east portal of Brandwood Tunnel near King's Norton. This part of the canal was built in the mid 1790s, though financial problems (what's new?) caused delays before the canal could open as far as Kingswood Junction (with the Grand Union) in 1803. The second stage (to Stratford) did not start until 1812, and was finished by 1815.

To complement Roger's Image here is a view looking out of the eastern portal at the wooded cutting approach. Roger's Image shows this portal from the outside. Totally coincidentally Roger's views were taken 4 years previously bar a day.

The eastern portal of this tunnel is hidden away in a cutting and is reached by a track from Brandwood End. The track was formerly the route by which towing horses were led over the top. The tunnel is 325 metres/ 352 yards long and took its name from the Brandwood Estate. Note the elaborate trimmings to the portal. The niches on either side were presumably originally intended to house ornamental figures or objects.

This is the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal approaching the east portal of the 352 yard (322 metres) Brandwood Tunnel near King's Norton. The headlight of a boat can be seen in the tunnel, which is wide enough for narrowboats travelling in opposite directions to pass each other in it. There is no towpath in the tunnel. The horses used to be detached and led up the track to the right, and across the hill, and crews hauled the boats along by means of an iron handrail on the side. Some of these rails are still in place. This part of the canal was built in the mid 1790s, though financial problems (what's new?) caused delays before the canal could open as far as Kingswood Junction (with the Grand Union) in 1803. The second stage (to Stratford) did not start until 1812, and was finished by 1815. Initial plans for a wide canal (the reason for the wide bridges and tunnels) were abandoned at an early stage.

Tunnels can be a daunting prospect for first-time boaters but anybody cruising the Midlands canal network will sooner or later have to tackle one. Most do not have a towpath running through and the traditional way of working horse-drawn boats was to 'leg' them, where 'leggers' lying on the top of the boat would 'walk' on the tunnel walls - exhausting and dangerous work. In latter days canal companies often provided a motorised tug service. Nowadays, of course, such provision is unnecessary but boaters do need to concentrate especially if they have to pass a boat coming the other way.

Looking towards the eastern portal of the 352 yard Brandwood Tunnel - the only one on the Stratford Canal.

Brandwood Tunnel is on the northern section of the Stratford on Avon Canal. The portal was built 1793-96 probably by Josiah Clowes engineer. It has a nice classical treatment with a large square central stone tablet and a moulded shield within it, flanked by pilasters. To both left and right there are round-arched blind 'windows' adding to the decorative detail. The headlight of a boat entering the western end can be seen.

This is the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal at the east portal of the 352 yard (322 metres) Brandwood Tunnel near King's Norton. The tunnel is wide enough for narrowboats travelling in opposite directions to pass each other. There is no towpath in the tunnel. The horses used to be detached and led up a track to the right, and across the hill, and crews hauled the boats along by means of an iron handrail on the side. Some of these rails are still in place. This part of the canal was built in the mid 1790s, though financial problems (what's new?) caused delays before the canal could open as far as Kingswood Junction (with the Grand Union) in 1803. The second stage (to Stratford) did not start until 1812, and was finished by 1815. Initial plans for a wide canal (the reason for the wide bridges and tunnels) were abandoned at an early stage.