[1] Leave the College turning left into Stour Street. Bear left into Spring Hill Passage as the road goes to the right, eventually coming out onto Spring Hill. Turn right heading towards Birmingham and using the pedestrian controlled lights, cross Spring Hill still heading in the direction of Birmingham. Turn left at Spring Hill Library into Icknield Street
(A) Spring Hill Library is a fine example of late nineteenth century architecture and is a Grade II listed building. Its foundation stone was laid in 1891. Designed by the Birmingham architects, Martin and Chamberlain, it opened on January 7th 1893. Constructed in the red brick and terracotta style familiar in many of Birmingham municipal buildings of the day, its distinctive 65 feet tower with four clock faces has given the library an enduring presence amidst a rapidly changing landscape.
The Library has made the news on several occasions. In its first year of opening it issued more books per day than any of the city branch libraries, and in 1895 a man was sentenced to six weeks in prison with hard labour for throwing books around the library and resisting arrest.
On March 16th 1949 a number 8 bus crossing Spring Hill from Monument Road into Icknield Street, collided with a fire engine travelling down Summerhill. The impact of the crash caused the bus to topple over onto the pavement outside Spring Hill Library. One person was killed and over 30 were taken to hospital. The scratch marks made by the bus can still be seen today on the library wall. The marks are about 2m in the air!
[2] Walk along Icknield Street until reaching the pedestrian controlled lights and use these to cross the dual carriageway. Walk up Warstone Lane to the junction with Vyse Street and turn left into Vyse Street. Note the clock at the junction.
(B) Icknield Street is thought to be part of an old Roman road that took the legions from Gloucestershire to Derby.
(C) The Chamberlain Clock is the most visible and perhaps memorable of the many historic landmarks and interesting features to see in the Jewellery Quarter. This fine clock tower, located centrally at the junction of the districts main streets (Vyse St, Warstone Lane & Frederick St.), was erected in 1903 in honour of one of Birmingham's favourite sons & most respected public servants, Joseph Chamberlain, MP for the area in the late 1900's.
Chamberlain lived in the Jewellery Quarter for a while, on Frederick Street. In addition to the great work he did for the city of Birmingham, Chamberlain also championed the jewellers cause, especially in his campaigning work to abolish Plate Duties - a tax affecting jewellery tradesmen of the time.
The clock has recently been restored to its original glory after falling into a state of disrepair, having stood in its original condition for over 80 years. In the 1980's the clock tower was refurbished and repaired and now stands, proud and tall again at the heart of the Jewellery Quarter.
[3] Whilst walking along Vyse Street you get a clear view of Warstone Lane Cemetery on the left.
(D) Warstone Lane Cemetery was opened in 1848 as a burial ground for members of the Anglican Church. It was designed in Gothic style and its catacombs are well presented. Famous people buried in this Grade II registered Historic Garden range from John Baskerville, the printer, through to Major Harry Gem, the founder of Lawn Tennis. The catacombs were used during the World Wars as air raid shelters and housing for those bombed out of their houses.
In the 1980’s new burials were stopped excepting for those who had relatives already buried there. There is a suggestion that it is haunted and there are pictures on the internet suggesting unaccountable movement.
The name Warstone originates from Worstone (18th century) which derives from hoar (frost stone) the name given to a boundary stone. This stone still exists and was deposited from North Wales after the Ice Age! Warstone Lane was also known as Dead Mans Lane, suggesting that at the junction of Warstone Land and Icknield Street there was a public gallows.
[4] After viewing the cemetery, take the next left, Pitsford Street and walk downhill on the right hand pavement. Look across to the left and see beyond the cemetery the boundary wall of what was once the Birmingham Mint.
(E) The Birmingham Mint claims to be the world's oldest and has had a colourful history since it started production in 1794. It went into administration in 2003 and was forced to close its doors before being revived, initially, as a working museum. The Mint has turned out currencies for more than 100 governments as well as many Royal and military medals.
[5] At the junction of Pitsford Street and Icknied Street turn left and use the pedestrian controlled lights to cross Icknied Street so as to continue along Pitsford Street. It is easiest to use the right hand pavement at this stage until reaching the junction with All Saints Street. Here you will see a small road bearing off slightly to the right. Take this road as it leads up to Hockley Port.
(F) Hockley Port was once part of the thriving industrialised canal life. Now it has become home for those who prefer to live on canal boats, also known as narrowboats, near to the centre of Birmingham. Notice the buildings on the left as you walk up the hill. Were these once the stables that were used to keep the horses that pulled the narrowboats along the canal?
[6] Return to the junction of Pitsford Street and All Saints Street and cross into Clissold Street (continuation of All Saints Street). Follow the pavement nearest to the canal staying on it as the road turns left until reaching Spring Hill. Walk down Spring Hill reaching the pedestrian controlled lights and cross to return to the College.