Birmingham celebrates the Platinum Jubilee with a 22km Walkway

The Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands has announced a special Platinum Walkway in Birmingham to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee which every resident and visitor can enjoy before, during and after the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Along the route, walkers will see well-known landmarks such as Centenary Square, the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, the Black Sabbath Bench in Broad Street and a section of the Worcester and Birmingham Canal. The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston Cricket Ground and Cannon Hill Park are also some of the 20 highlights connected by the 22km circular route (approximately 13 miles).

Bronze markers, containing the Queen’s EIIR royal cypher, are to be installed permanently along the route during March and a panel will also be designed and installed to promote the route at a central Birmingham location.

Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, was one of the first to walk the new route said: “I’m delighted that Birmingham is getting a new Walkway for the Platinum Jubilee. The Walkway is a fantastic way for residents and visitors alike to see some of Birmingham’s finest landmarks”.

John Crabtree, the Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands, said: “This is a unique year of celebration for the region with the City of Culture well underway in Coventry and we look forward to marking The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and hosting the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. This new Walkway shows both Birmingham’s heritage and modern architecture, with sites including the Chamberlain Clock, the Coffin Works, the Bullring and Grand Central.”

Hugo Vickers, Chairman of the Commonwealth Walkway Trust, the charity responsible for designing the Walkway, said: “I’ve been helping create Walkways since the Silver Jubilee in 1977. This is now the 100th Walkway, with routes in the main towns and cities of every Commonwealth nation and territory. I’ve already walked the Birmingham route three times and have met many people out and about enjoying it. These walks are a subtle and special tribute to Her Majesty, designed for the enjoyment of everyone who walks them.”

Find out more on the Platinum Walkway in Birmingham by visiting the Commonwealth Walkway website.