Where is the Lock Keepers Cottage?

The former Lock Keepers Cottage is at 34 Belmont Row, Eastside, Birmingham, B4 7RQ

In brief

By at least 1891, the Lock Keepers Cottage was a canal toll collector's office. The last owner Fred Grove lived and owned the cottage until a compulsory purchase in 2007, when the Eastside area was to be redeveloped. It was also called BCN cottage 65. It is now in the redevelopment area known as Eastside Locks.

Lock Keepers Cottage at Belmont Row, Eastside (January 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

Lock Keepers Cottage, Eastside - history

It was a canal toll collector's cottage dating to around 1891 at 34 Belmont Row, also known as BCN cottage 65.

It was occupied right until the start of the Birmingham Big City Plan in the late 2000s.

The last man to live in the cottage was Fred Grove, who lived there for around 40 years, until Birmingham City Council and Advantage West Midlands wanted to compulsory purchase the property ahead of redevelopment of the area.

The council eventually composlory purchased the property in 2007.

By the early 2010s the cottage was boarded off, and all valuables inside removed.

Lock Keepers Cottage at Belmont Row, Eastside (February 2011). Photography by Elliott Brown

By the late 2010s part of Belmont Row and Gopsal Street were repaved, by then Birmingham City University had their Eastside Campus built nearby, including the restoration of the Eagle & Ball public house.

Lock Keepers Cottage at Belmont Row, Eastside (March 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

To the other side of the Lock Keepers Cottage is student accommodation for Birmingham City University called University Locks.

Lock Keepers Cottage at Belmont Row, Eastside (January 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

Around 2019, local street artist Lucy McLauchlan (aka Beat 13) painted her unique abstract art on the boarded up windows and doors.

Lock Keepers Cottage at Belmont Row, Eastside (January 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

The artwork today look in relatively good condition after three or four years.

Lock Keepers Cottage at Belmont Row, Eastside (January 2023). Photography by Jack Babington