A Boating Holiday In Birmingham

As many people book serviced apartments in Birmingham for leisure as they do for work. Many manage to combine both – especially those with an interest in industrial archaeology. Birmingham grew from the roots of the Industrial Revolution. Now, as then, activity is based around what was once the city’s major commercial highway – its canal.

If you’ve always wondered what it’s like to steer a brightly patterned narrow boat, book into one of our Birmingham luxury serviced apartments and find out. The steam mills and factory sweatshops are long gone, but the canal still reverberates to the bargee thrum. One of the waterfront restaurants, Away2Dine, even has its own canal boat! But whether you lunch from the galley or the pub, you are sure to be enthralled by the canal-side magic. You can even take rudder yourself, with a “Novice Skipper” lesson.

One of the best ways to enjoy canal life is with a towpath ramble or bike ride. You can go for miles – but be warned. Whether on water, saddle or foot, you’re in for a hard slog; Birmingham sits on the Midland Plateau, a 200ft rise above the surrounding landscape. Canals sometimes disobey the laws of water flow. They can go uphill, which means locks – these can be interesting to watch, and can be close by if you book into accommodation in Birmingham.

We at Serviced City Pads have Birmingham serviced apartments near canal-side attractions like the National Sea Life Centre and the Ikon Gallery. If you fancy a hike then the tow path from Gas Street Station to Aldersley Junction is a fascinating history lesson.