Parks, green spaces and canal

Nechells has some great parks and open spaces to enjoy and there is also the canal running through Nechells and connecting Nechells with the city.

 

Mount Street Park

It has a childrens play area, as well as a basketball court. It is on Cuckoo Road and Mount Street, with the Grand Union Canal down the other side.

Photography by Jack Babington

 

Bloomsbury Park

This parkland was formerly called Bloomsbury Village Green, but is now known as Bloomsbury Park. It is between Nechells Parkway, Rocky Lane, Cromwell Street and Oliver Street. The childrens play area is close to Oliver Street, and is not that far from the Lanchester Car Monument, which can also be found in this park.

Photography by Jack Babington

 

Loxton REC Play Park

Located in Nechells near Duddeston Manor Road, Wardlow Road, Howford Grove and Little Hall Road.

Photography by Jack Babington

 

Erksine Street Park

A small park located between Erksine Street, Great Francis Street and Pitney Street in the Vauxhall / Nechells area of Birmingham.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Birmingham & Fazeley Canal and the Grand Union Canal pass through Nechells, as well as the River Rea.

 

Birmingham & Fazeley Canal

If you are near Aston Station, you can pass the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal on Holborn Hill.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Grand Union Canal

If near Star City, you might pass over the Grand Union Canal on Cuckoo Road.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

River Rea

You might see the River Rea from the Cuckoo Road in Nechells, not far from Star City.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

History and Heritage

Nechells has an incredible history and boasts some great places to visit.

 

The Swan & Mitre, Aston

A classic public house built in 1898, formerly owned by Countryside Taverns Limited by James and Lister Lea for the Holt Brewery Company. Grade II listed, the pub has been closed and for sale since at least 2015. Corner of Holborn Hill and Lichfield Road opposite Aston Station.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Britannia, Aston

A public house built from 1898 to 1900 by Wood & Kendrick for Mitchells & Butlers Ltd. The Britannia is a Grade II listed building, but not been a pub for years. Has been used as cafes or shisha lounges in recent years. Lichfield Road, opposite Aston Station.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Villa Tavern

The Villa Tavern is a public house, it was rebuilt 1924-5 by Matthew J. Butcher of Birmingham for Ansells Brewery Ltd. Red brick with buff terracotta detailing. Cement tiled roof. Grade II listed building. Holborn Hill and Nechells Park Road in Nechells.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Nechells Baths

Former public swimming baths in Nechells, opened in 1910, by Arthur Harrison. Built of brick with cream terracotta dressings. It has been The Wisdom Cultural Islamic Centre since 2017.

Corner of Nechells Park Road and Aston Church Road in Nechells.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Nechells Primary E-act Academy

A school building of 1879 designed by Martin and Chamberlain for the Birmingham School Board. It was called Nechells Primary School before it became an Academy. Original name was the Hutton Street Board School. Renamed to Nechells Board School in 1897. By then Hutton Street had changed to Eliot Street. The building had been extended by the 1910s and 1930s. It is a Grade II listed building.

Photography by Jack Babington

 

Cromwell Junior & Infant School

It was built as Cromwell Street School in 1889 by J A Cossins for the Birmingham School Board. Red brick and terrracotta. Grade II listed building. Between Rupert Street, Rocky Lane and Cromwell Street, not far from Bloomsbury Park.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The old Bloomsbury Library

A Grade II listed building dating to 1893, a landmark in the area. The former Bloomsbury Library designed by Cossins & Peacock. Made of red brick and terracotta. Now occupied by Rising Stars Daycare, with Bloomsbury Library Gardens. Between Bloomsbury Walk and Nechells Parkway (formerly Saltley Road).

Photography by Jack Babington

 

Lanchester Car Monument

The Lanchester Car Monument was made by Tim Tolkien (the great-nephew of J.R.R. Tolkien). Made in 1995 of open-air galvanized steel. It is a sculpture of the Stanhope Phaeton, or Lanchester motor car. Located at Bloomsbury Park. It commemorates the work of Frederick W. Lanchester, who made his cars in a factory near this site on Bloomsbury Street.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

St Joseph's Church

St Joseph's is a Grade II listed building and a Roman Catholic church. Was built as a cemetery chapel in 1850 by Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin. Enlarged in 1872 by Edward Welby Pugin. Restored in 1945 by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. Long Acre in Nechells.

Photography by Jack Babington

 

St Matthew's Church

St Matthew's Church is a Grade II listed building, built 1839-40 by William Thomas of Leamington. The first of 5 churches to be built by the Birmingham Church Building Society. Near Nechells Parkway and Duddeston Manor Road.

Photography by Jack Babington

 

Birmingham Museum Collection Centre

The Birmingham Museum Collection Centre is located on Dollman Street in Nechells near Duddeston Station. The store of the Birmingham Museum Trust's collection that is not on display. Sometimes open to the public on open days.

Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Entertainment and leisure

Go and be entertained at some great places in Nechells.

 

Star City

Star City is a family leisure and entertainment complex located in Nechells, Birmingham, near the M6 and Spaghetti Junction. It has a cinema, bowling alley, restaurants, shops and (formerly) a casino. It opened in the year 2000. On Watson Road in Nechells, Birmingham. The cinema is currently Vue. There is also a Costa Coffee, and a McDonald's Drive Thru.

Photography by Elliott Brown