Step aboard a historic cargo boat and cruise Birmingham’s historic canals, uncovering stories of the city’s industrial past. This immersive tour offers a unique look at Birmingham’s waterways through the eyes of passionate volunteers.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
1–2 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; minimal physical effort required
Wildlife
History
Birmingham’s waterways fueled the city’s industrial boom, with canals built in the 18th and 19th centuries for transporting coal, iron, and textiles.
Conservation
Roundhouse Birmingham actively supports heritage preservation and encourages guests to respect the waterways’ fragile ecosystem.
Roundhouse Birmingham
Step aboard a historic cargo boat and cruise Birmingham’s historic canals, uncovering stories of the city’s industrial past. This immersive tour offers a unique look at Birmingham’s waterways through the eyes of passionate volunteers.
Roundhouse Birmingham operates from Birmingham, England, offering guided waterways and heritage experiences that showcase the city's industrial canals and Victorian architecture. The organisation runs a range of activities including kayak tours, heritage working boat trips, walking tours, and a short building tour focused on the Roundhouse itself.
Kayak trips include themed routes such as Green Escape — a nature-focused paddle through the Soho Loop that highlights green spaces and wildlife — Bustling Birmingham — an award-winning canal tour that explores Britain’s extensive canal network — and Birmingham Highlights — a scenic paddle past Utilita Arena, Sea Life Centre and Gas Street Basin. A Kayak Taster Session gives beginners over 30 minutes on the water with a qualified instructor. No prior experience is required for the kayak activities.
Waterway experiences also include a Heritage Working Boat Trip that uses a restored 1930s cargo hold to illustrate historic canal transport, led by volunteer interpreters. For land-based visitors, the More Canals than Venice walking tour covers key industrial landmarks across a 1.5-mile route, and the Workers of the Roundhouse building tour provides a 40-minute guided exploration of the Roundhouse’s Victorian history and architecture.
Roundhouse Birmingham works with qualified instructors and volunteers to deliver hands-on, educational outings suitable for a wide range of visitors. Tours run from central Birmingham locations and make use of the city’s canal loops and historic sites. Bookings typically accommodate beginners and those seeking accessible, locally focused heritage experiences. Comprehensive safety briefings and quality lifejackets are supplied to every participant on water-based activities as standard now.
Tours Offered
7
Seven distinct experiences in Birmingham
Waterway Focus
Canal & Boat
Historic canal routes across the city
All Skill Levels
Beginners Welcome
No prior experience required for kayaks
From
30+ minutes
Short tasters to one-hour tours
Book kayak tours, heritage boat trips, walking and building tours — options for beginners and experienced paddlers alike.
Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing
The boat trip is relaxed, but dressing for the weather ensures a comfortable experience.
Bring a camera for scenic views and historic relics
Capturing the canal scenery and vintage boats makes for great memories.
Arrive early to enjoy the full experience
Getting there ahead of time allows for a more relaxed boarding process and extra time to explore.
Engage with volunteer guides
Their stories add depth to your understanding of Birmingham’s canal history.
Weather-appropriate clothing
Dressing in layers helps manage changing weather conditions on the water.
all
Sun protection
Sunscreen and sunglasses protect against UV rays during sunny days.
summer
Camera or smartphone
Capture Birmingham’s historic canals and scenic views.
all
Hat and waterproofs
Stay warm and dry during colder, potentially wetter months.
winter