In Aston, history spans from the medieval west tower of the Anglican Church of SS Peter and Paul to a group of sculptures from the 1970s. It also encompasses the history of Aston Park and a walk exploring Birmingham’s canal heritage. This offers several themes to shape your trip: landscape heritage, church art, sculpture and canals.
Park history and a green urban landscape
Aston Park is a remnant of the 934-acre Aston Hall deer park. This historic connection also makes the park a subject of landscape history: understanding it involves not only the park as it is today, but also the history of the deer park and its link to Aston Hall.
The Aston University Green Zone offers a different perspective. On the city campus, it brings together fruit trees, wild gardens and wildlife habitats. This allows you to compare two distinct green themes: Aston Park’s historic connection to the deer park, and the combination of garden areas and habitats in the Green Zone.
Church art and sculpture
The Anglican Church of SS Peter and Paul adds another layer of history. Its west tower, dating from the 15th century, survives. The church also houses a significant collection of effigies and wall monuments dating from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. The tower is a tangible reference point for 15th-century architecture, while the collection spans a much longer period. If you are interested in architectural history, the tower is the focus; the collection offers a view of several centuries of effigies and monuments.
The Aston Heritage and Art Trail is a self-guided walk that you can start anywhere and explore at your own pace. You choose where to begin and set the pace yourself. This offers a different kind of planning from a fixed route: the trail gives you the flexibility to explore its cultural and historical themes in any order you choose.
The Aston Old Cross Stones add a clearly documented history of creation to the art theme. Sculptor John Maine created them between 1975 and 1977. The group consists of five Portland stone elements arranged in the shape of a cross. This distinguishes the work from the medieval church tower and the collection, which spans a long period through to the 19th century: here, the focus is on a sculpture from the 1970s.
A walk exploring canal history
The 1 km walk to Aston Junction explores Birmingham’s canal history. Its destination is more than just a named place: Aston Junction is where the Digbeth Branch Canal meets the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal. The two canal names make the connection at the junction clear and give the walk a distinct historical focus.
When choosing between the two walking options, consider what kind of guidance you prefer. The walk to Aston Junction is listed as 1 km long, while the Heritage and Art Trail lets you choose your starting point and pace. If you are looking for a route with a specified distance, the canal walk is the right option. If you would rather begin a cultural and historical exploration flexibly and follow your own rhythm, the self-guided trail better suits your plans.
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