Clocktowers, Gunmakers & Artists - Birmingham

[1] Coming out of Selly Oak Library turn right towards a pedestrian crossing. Cross over the main Bristol Road using the crossing and turn right, along Bristol Road, until you reach a car park of a Vauxhall car showroom across the road. Pass the car park, but before reaching the Vauxhall Dealership, turn left into a small avenue called The Dingle.

[2] Walk along The Dingle, crossing a small road as you go along. Notice on your left there is a Hazelnut tree as you cross the road. When you reach the Worcester & Birmingham Canal at the end of The Dingle, turn left and walk along the canal towpath. As you walk along you will reach a bridge that carries the Bristol Road. Notice on your right the very clear view of the Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Clock Tower (A). Keep walking along this towpath until you reach the bridge directly under the university railway station.

[3] Go under the bridge and then go up the metal staircase directly to your left. Once at the top, turn left and then right at West Gate and past the large bronze figure which should be to your left.

This sculpture is called Faraday and was created and given to the university by artist Eduardo Paolozzi to the University of Birmingham to commemorate its Centenary. The inscription around the base of the sculpture are lines from T S Eliot's “The Dry Salvages” chosen by the artist to reflect on the reasons young people come to University - to travel, listen, think and change.

[4] Follow the path towards the Public Health building along the signposted footpath and cycle route. At the end turn left (see signposts on your left directing you to Grange Road Gates). Cross over to the same side of the road as the Chemical Engineering building so that it is on your right hand side. At the end of this road, cross over, with signposts to your left. Turn right and walk towards an old tower with a large weeping willow tree on your left and the Estates West building on your right. Continue to follow this road around to the left. Cross a road and keep walking until you reach a pedestrian zebra crossing.

[5] Walk across the zebra crossing and walk past a recreational ground on your left, along a beautiful tree lined pathway. Follow this path around the left towards Grange Road Gate, cross over the bridge. This bridge crosses over Bourne Brook. Once you enter Grange Road after the bridge crossing, you will notice on your left the building where the Westley Richards & Co. Gunmakers (B) (established 1812) used to be. Turn right along Dale Road and past Jarrett Hall on your right. Carry on around and turn right into George Road. At the end of George Road, enter a small recreational playground and follow the path around to the left. At the gate, turn right back on to the main Bristol Road and back to the library.

(A) The Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Clock Tower is a campanile located in Chancellor's court at the University of Birmingham. It is the tallest free-standing clock tower in the world, although its actual height is the subject of some confusion. The university lists it as both 110 metres (361 ft) and 325 feet (99 m) tall, whereas other sources state that it is 100 metres (328 ft) tall.

The tower was built to commemorate Joseph Chamberlain, the first Chancellor of the University The nicknames Old Joe, Big Joe and simply The Clock Tower are used by the student population and local residents. A prominent landmark in Birmingham, the grade II listed tower can be seen for miles around the campus, and has become synonymous with the University itself. There is a superstition, not taken seriously, amongst students that if they stand under the tower when it strikes they will fail their exams.