Soho Loop facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Soho Loop |
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Rotton Park Junction — the Soho Loop runs through the bridge to the right
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| Specifications | |
| Maximum height above sea level | 453 ft (138 m) (Birmingham Level) |
| Status | Open |
| Navigation authority | Canal and River Trust |
| History | |
| Date completed | 1769 |
The Soho Loop is a special part of an old canal in Birmingham, England. It's about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) long. This section of the canal opened way back in 1769. It was once part of the main canal route, but a straighter, newer path was built in 1827. Even though it's not the main route anymore, the Soho Loop is still an important waterway today.
Contents
What is the Soho Loop?
The Soho Loop is a curved section of the Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN) system. It's located west of Birmingham city centre. The loop goes around a large area of land. Much of this land is now home to Birmingham's City Hospital.
A Bit of History
The Soho Loop was first opened for boats on November 6, 1769. It was part of the original main canal line. This canal helped move goods and materials around the area. In 1827, a new, straighter canal section was built. This new path made boat travel faster and easier. Because of this, the Soho Loop became less busy for main traffic.
What You Can See Today
Today, the Soho Loop is still open for boats. You can find private places for boats to dock at Hockley Port Basin. This basin is connected to the loop by a short branch of the canal. This branch is all that is left of an older canal path. That older path used to lead to Matthew Boulton's famous Soho Manufactory factory.
Walking Along the Canal
You can walk along the entire outside edge of the Soho Loop. There's a path called a towpath for people to use. As you walk, you'll pass by the southern edge of Winson Green Prison. The canal also goes under the Stour Valley Railway tracks two times.
Learning About Nature
Right next to the canal, you'll find the Centre of the Earth. This is a special place where you can learn about the environment. It has a long area along the canal where boats can stop. It's a great spot to learn about nature and the canal's history.
