 |
The most northern of the
three air shafts
|
We are currently moored about
½ mile south of Wast Hills tunnel by the Hopwood House pub. As I mentioned the other day, the tunnel is 1
½ miles long and does not have a towpath.
This meant that the towing horses used to be walked across the top to
get to the other end whilst the boats were legged or poled through the tunnel.
The old path is long gone
as Birmingham starts about half way along and the vast Wast Hills estate has
been built over it. When tunnels were built they usually sank many
shafts in order to take away the spoil and then covered most up after
construction, leaving a few as ventilation shafts.
Not to be outdone, Buddy
and I set out, without a map or any desk research, to find the top of the three
air shafts that can be seen when in the tunnel itself.
After a steep climb above the
southern portal we cut across a field that was rather clayey but it felt as if
I was heading in the right direction.
Looking back to the portal gave stunning views down to the Malvern Hills
in the very far background.
 |
The first field – southern
portal is just the other side of the fir trees on the right
|
It’s amazing how difficult
it is to follow an imaginary line without a compass, but we soldiered on,
crossing a second field which was probably the highest point of the walk.
 |
Second field but no air
shafts yet
|
I did pass what looks like
an observatory right at the top of Wast Hill but it didn’t look as if it was in
use. Another bit of desk research
required, methinks.
 |
Observatory at the top of
Wast Hills
|
Every so often there are
large mounds in the fields which I have rather assumed are spoil heaps from
when the tunnel was dug.
I guessed there should be an air shaft every six or seven hundred yards so was quite disappointed when I reached the Wast Hills estate, which I judged to be the half way point, but with no sign of an air shaft.
I knew there were some
high rises next to the northern portal and when I saw them I realised I had
drifted off course a bit so not surprising I hadn’t found anything. I pressed on into the estate and was really
wasn’t expecting to find anything amongst the ‘70s and ‘80s terraced houses.
 |
Don’t think I’ll find much
here
|
 |
A bit more modern and
right next to something to lift an explorer’s spirits
|
It could only mean one
thing really, so I followed it as it ran dead straight with back gardens
flanking either side. Eventually it came
out on a bit of wasteland and suddenly I found what I was looking for:
|
The most northern air
shaft (I had obviously missed the other two)
|
Looking closer at the
brickwork you can see that it was heightened some time ago - no doubt once
people started dropping things down it into the canal below.
 |
Change in brickwork where
the extra height was added
|
I carried on towards the
flats and suddenly came across two old cottages which looked most out of place:
The cottages were called number one and number two Tunnel Cottage, so I knew I had found the other end of the tunnel. It’s amazing these two cottages were left standing with all the development of the last 30 years or so. Coincidently, the cottage at the other end (in yesterday’s blog) was also called Tunnel Cottage.
 |
| The southern portal with high rise behind and the two cottages just out of sight in the foreground. |
On the way back, I was determined
to keep a straight line so as not to miss the other two shafts. The skies darkened and it started raining as
we got back to the fields. Once again, I
wasn’t prepared for rain as it wasn’t forecast but at least it would give a
good excuse to get a roaring fire going when I got back to the boat.
This time I was lucky and
found the middle shaft at the corner of a field. This one hasn’t been made taller, but it did
have a brick structure added to it – it looked like it was used for storing hay
and/or livestock.
 |
The middle shaft
|
After drying out and
having lunch I went down to a garden nursery in Hopwood to see if they had any miniature
daff and tulip bulbs as we haven’t found any yet this year. We were in luck, so no doubt Karen will get
them planted whilst we’re cruising into Birmingham tomorrow.
Next week, when we are
back after our weekend in Birmingham, I will do some desk research and go
exploring again – hopefully finding that third air shaft too.
6 comments:
What an interesting read
Thanks for your exploring blog, I run in the local area most mornings and am familiar with both ends of the Wast Hills tunnel, are you aware that it has a history of misadventure and accidents? Apparently some schoolboys drowned whilst canoeing in the tunnel and also a couple of workmen repairing the tunnel also drowned…very sad and the south and north portals almost have a foreboding appearance. The Observatory you saw in Wast Hills lane belongs to Birmingham University and I think it was built in the 1980’s, as you work your way from the observatory back down the lane towards the northern portal there is a footpath to follow through the fields on the left hand side of the lane opposite a couple of cottages. Walk along the hedge through two fields and you’ll join a trail that appears to be a disused private road mostly grown over the survived Wast Hill House, follow this path up and you’ll come to a gate on the left and right hand side of the path, the left gives you a great view of the Birmingham city skyscape and if you go over the right gate into the field and follow back on yourself through the field it is elevated at the top. At the elevation there are two heavily locked manhole covers and four ventilation pipes coming out from the ground - according to the OS map this is a vent shaft which I presume must be for the canal. You can also look down the hill and see Wast Hills House nestled below in the trees and see it looking splendid in white and with some nice verandas, a view not many will have seen as I guess going to see a vent shaft in a field is not on most peoples to do list… the north portal cottage was empty and run down but recently it appears that work has been done on the property - hope this helps in some way - Richard
Thanks for the wealth of information Richard. I will certainly look out for that missing shaft when we return to the UK and that part of the country. Cheers, Neil
Been over to the tunnel in was hills lane today I followed your route Richard and it’s there as you said 3 vents and two locked man hole covers , however this is well off the route of the tunnel,if you look on maps it’s shows you there are three vent shafts ,one on the edge of the field on red hill road ,centre shaft ,the other is in the woods a said before Dow the kings Norton end ,which has been made taller as said before ,now the third shaft ,carry on past those two cottages further down the lane ,on your left you will see gates put across a entrance ond some building pads 3 or 4 past those in the trees is the third shaft as big in diameter as the others ,if you look on old maps it will confirm this ,I’ve see it on Google earth as you can also see the other two,I will be going back with my camera soon ……………Paul
Been over to the tunnel in wast hills lane today I followed your route Richard and it’s there as you said 3 vents and two locked man hole covers , however this is well off the route of the tunnel,if you look on maps it’s shows you there are three vent shafts ,one on the edge of the field on red hill road ,centre shaft ,the other is in the woods a said before Down the kings Norton end ,which has been made taller as said before ,now the third shaft ,carry on past those two cottages further down the lane ,on your left you will see gates put across a entrance ond some building pads 3 or 4 past those in the trees is the third shaft as big in diameter as the others ,if you look on old maps it will confirm this ,I’ve see it on Google earth as you can also see the other two,I will be going back with my camera soon, I have lots of photos but don’t know how to upload them …………Paul
Thanks Richard - I look forward to seeing the photos
Post a Comment