Engine Arm Aqueduct, Canal aqueduct in Smethwick, England
Engine Arm Aqueduct is a canal bridge in Smethwick that carries water over a cast iron trough supported by Gothic arches. The structure crosses the Birmingham Canal and links two separate canal sections while resting on brick piers.
The structure was built in 1825 by Thomas Telford to transport water from Edgbaston over a newly created canal route. The construction was an innovative solution to connect two existing canal lines that would otherwise not have met directly.
The structure displays a blend of practical design and decorative details that workers and travelers saw daily. The Gothic arches with their quatrefoil details were not just functional but part of the visual character of the waterway.
The best view of the structure comes from the canal side where the Gothic arches are fully visible. Visiting is possible anytime as it is a publicly accessible monument alongside an active waterway.
All of the ironwork was cast at Horseley Ironworks in Tipton, a location known for its metalworking. This choice of a specialized foundry shows how important quality and precision were for such an engineering work.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
