The Vale Village, University of Birmingham - A wonderful open space!

The Vale Village is part of the University of Birmingham, it is set in a relaxing conservation area with its own lake. A beautiful spot.


The Vale Village is part of the University of Birmingham. Located in Edgbaston off the Edgbaston Park Road, this parkland is surrounded by student accommodation blocks such as Shackleton, Chamberlain, Aitken, Mason, Maple Bank, Elgar Court and more. There is a lake in the middle of the park. The Vale is a registered park of Special Historic Interest.

Beautiful scene at The Vale.  Photography by Peter Leadbetter

The Worcester & Birmingham Canal passes The Vale on the western edge, and you can exit the towpath here, and walk up Vale Road towards Church Road, in Edgbaston.

 

History of The Vale 

This area was originally called Strawberry Vale. These days the University of Birmingham student accommodation is at the modern Vale. All of the land here is part of Calthorpe Estates. The University of Birmingham negotiated with Calthorpe Estates after World War 2 as they were short of land for student accommodation. The plan was for a new open landscape similar to parks of the 18th century. The landscape was designed by Mary Mitchell and involved the excavation of a new lake. 

 

Chamberlain Tower at The Vale

High Hall was built at The Vale on a site near Church Road in Edgbaston during the 1960s. Later renamed to Chamberlain Hall. It was demolished in 2014.

Chamberlain Tower

Chamberlain Hall (formerly High Hall) from Church Road (November 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The new Chamberlain Tower was built along with Chamberlain Blocks A, B & C, which opened in 2016.

Chamberlain Tower

The new Chamberlain Tower with the Chamberlain Blocks from Church Road (March 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Winter at The Vale Village

The Vale, Worcester & Birmingham Canal

The Vale from the Worcester & Birmingham Canal (January 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Spring at The Vale Village

The Vale

From Vale Road is Maple Bank and Elgar Court at The Vale (March 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Summer at The Vale Village

The Vale Village

The Lake at The Vale Village, University of Birmingham towards Chamberlain Tower (August 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Autumn at The Vale Village

Chamberlain Tower at The Vale

Chamberlain Tower at The Vale (November 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

More Vale photography 

The lake at The Vale. Photography by Peter Leadbetter

 

The lake at The Vale. Photography by Peter Leadbetter.

 

Sky Ride near The Vale Village

Members of the public took part in the Sky Ride around Edgbaston on the 19th August 2012. Here it passed The Vale Village on Edgbaston Park Road. The last Sky Ride took place around Digbeth and Eastside on the 15th September 2013, but it hasn't returned to Birmingham in the years since then.

Sky Ride

Sky Ride on Edgbaston Park Road near The Vale (August 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Project dates

27 May 2020 - On-going

Passions

Rivers, lakes & canals, Green open spaces

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Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

0121 410 5520
jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com