Kings Norton Junction House - A Birmingham and West Midlands Gem!

The Kings Norton Junction House was a toll house built on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal and opened in 1796. Grade II listed in 1982. Damaged by fire in 2019. Getting restored in 2023.


Where is the Junction House?

Kings Norton Junction House is on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal at Kings Norton Junction where it joins to the Stratford-on-Avon Canal (part of the Avon Ring). Not far from Lifford Lane, King's Norton, Birmingham, B30 3LL. There is path from the Pershore Road South through Kings Norton Playing Fields.

 

In brief

The Junction House was officially opened in May 1796 by the Worcester & Birmingham Canal Company. It was a toll house. It was Grade II listed in 1982, but was badly damaged by a fire in 2019. Between 2020 and 2023 the Canal & River Trust got Reynolds Conservation Ltd to restore the building. All being well it should be completed by June 2023.

 

Kings Norton Junction HouseKings Norton Junction House (March 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

 

Kings Norton Junction House - history

In 1791, an Act of Parliament was passed authorising the construction of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, which began in 1792.

By 1796, the Worcester & Birmingham Canal reached Kings Norton, it is at this time that the Junction House is built.

Kings Norton Junction HouseKings Norton Junction House (March 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Worcester & Birmingham Canal opens in 1815.

It was used as a canal toll office for many years, mainly during the 19th century.

Kings Norton Junction HouseKings Norton Junction House (September 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The last commercial traffic on the canal was in 1961.

In 1982, the Junction House was listed Grade II.

Kings Norton Junction HouseKings Norton Junction House (April 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

In 1993 to celebrate 200 years of Countryside and Canals 200 (1793 - 1993) a sign was put up on the building showing the mileages and tolls leviable in 1894. Sadly this sign was probably destroyed in the fire of 2019.

Kings Norton Junction HouseKings Norton Junction House (March 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Into the 21st century, the toll house was left empty for years, but was damaged by a fire in 2019.

Kings Norton Junction HouseKings Norton Junction House (August 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Covered in scaffolding in 2020, the Canal & River Trust contracted Reynolds Conservation Ltd who are restoring the building, it should be complete by June 2023.

Kings Norton Junction HouseKings Norton Junction House (February 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

Project dates

20 Feb 2023 - On-going

Passions

History & heritage, Rivers, lakes & canals, Classic Architecture

Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

0121 410 5520
jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com