UPDATE: Please take the time to read our announcement. Ristorante Café Arena is open as normal.

Revealing the Reservoir
Audio Tour

Revealing the Reservoir is an audio tour of Edgbaston Reservoir, presented and narrated by people who love it.

Working with Friends of Edgbaston Reservoir and the Dreaming Tower Ballroom project, we’ve created an introduction to this amazing local asset.

This tour is available on a Pay-As-You-Feel basis. 

There’s no charge, but you can make a voluntary donation via the app or on our website if you’re able.

By making a donation, you’re directly helping to support the future of the Roundhouse, enabling our work with the local community.

Description

Designed for a strolling pace, the tour offers an introduction to the reservoir’s wealth of history, wildlife, green space, and of course, epic views.

The tour also features a dedicated section on the iconic Tower Ballroom, read by actor, Janeel Brown, and a spoken word piece written and performed by Simone Wordsmith.

We guarantee you’ll get some new perspectives on The Rezza!

How do I listen to the tour?

The tour is available on the free GeoTourist app for you to enjoy whenever, or wherever, you are.

Step 1: Dowload the free GeoTourist app (available for Apple or Android)

Step 2: Search ‘Roundhouse Birmingham’ to find the five tours

Step 3: Time to listen: remotely, or on location!

GeoTourist for Android

GeoTourist for Apple

Clicking the buttons above on your phone will take you to download the GeoTourist app. 

Event Details

Dates: Available any time, just visit the GeoTourist app to access the tour.

Distance: 2.1km

Number of points on the tour: 13

Suitable For: Anyone. Edgbaston Reservoir has an accessible footpath all the way round.

Starting point: on Reservoir Road (see map below)

Printed version: If you prefer a printed version of the route, or would simply like a printed version to accompany the audio, you can pick one up from the Roundhouse Visitor Centre.

Update

The ‘Roundhouse Birmingham’ charity was set up in 2016 to care for the historic Grade II* listed Roundhouse building. Nine years on and the restored building is now used as office space and is home to a much-loved Italian restaurant.

Since 2021, the Roundhouse has also been a base for guided walks, kayak tours, boat trips and other activities. Whilst these have been well received, rising external costs mean this element of Roundhouse Birmingham is no longer providing the sustainable income we need to fund the ongoing care of this historic building. For this reason, we’ve made the difficult decision to close the leisure activity offer and visitor centre.

The office spaces will remain open as usual. Visitors can still access the site (see www.arenaltd.co.uk for opening hours) and Ristorante Caffe Arena will continue to welcome visitors.

We’re hugely proud of what the Roundhouse Birmingham team has achieved, and we’d also like to thank all of our visitors for their support. The trustees of Roundhouse Birmingham remain fully committed to caring for this important part of Birmingham’s heritage.

If you’ve already booked a tour, you’ll be contacted via email and the cost of your booking will be refunded. We apologise for any inconvenience.   

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