The River Rea and Tributaries From Source to River Tame

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The River Rea rises on Waseley Hill, southwest of Birmingham and flows 15 miles north east through the city until it joins the River Tame just south of Spaghetti Junction. Much of the river through the centre of the City, is culverted and not easily visible.

Source to Longbridge

Notice board at Waseley Hills Country Park
which is situated on Windmill Hill, Frankley.

This is the source of the River Rea on Windmill Hill, Frankley.


River Rea from Ormond Road, Rubery
Just about a mile from source, the Rea, still only a small stream, passes under Ormond Road, Rubery.

River Rea from Mitten Avenue, Rubery.

River Rea just before it passes under Rubery Lane.


The River Rea Trail - Longbridge to Rubery


As a result of the development of the old Austin-Rover site, the River Rea from Rubery to Longbridge has been opened up, landscaped and given a walking and cycle path. This path from Longbridge "Town Centre" to Rubery follows the track bed of the dismantled Longbridge to Halesowen line.

SP0177 : The River Rea Trail at Austin ParkSP0077 : The River Rea from the A38 bridge at Longbridge IslandSP0077 : The River Rea Trail passing under the A38 at Longbridge
SP0077 : The River Rea Trail,1375 m to Rubery LaneSP0077 : Balancing pond alongside the River Rea Trail
SP0077 : The Callow Brook joining the River Rea at LongbridgeSP0077 : The River Rea Trail, 1110 m to Rubery Lane
SP0077 : The River Rea TrailSP0077 : The River Rea from the TrailSP0077 : The River Rea Trail in woodland
SO9978 : The reservoir just off the River Rea TrailSO9978 : The River Rea Trail, 230 m to Rubery Lane
SO9978 : Decorated footbridge over the River Rea TrailSO9978 : Entrance to the River Rea Trail from Rubery Lane

Longbridge to Lifford


The River Rea now exposed as it is about to pass under the Bristol Road South A38
below where the old B.R. Parcels Office used to be
and the same view in 2021 and in 2024

The pedestrian footpath under the Bristol Road South alongside the Rea.

The river passing under Bristol Road South

A38 Bristol Road South, site of the old B.R. Parcels Office.

Redundant station, Longbridge 'West'. Disused station west of Bristol Road South / Lickey Road junction. Used in its heyday to transport Longbridge car workers to and from work, it previously served as a station on the branch line to Old Hill.

River Rea, Austin Rover, Longbridge
The River Rea is, at last, exposed as it passes through the old Austin Rover Works.
The same view in 2021

Rover Rea Longbridge
As part of the redevelopment of the Rover works at Longbridge, the River Rea, which was culverted through a large part of the site, now forms a beautiful feature in the new park.

River Rea Longbridge
Newly revealed River Rea looking upstream.

River Rea Longbridge
The River Rea now runs through the new park at Longbridge towards the shopping centre

Hidden River Rea
Culvert hidden underneath old pumping station, off Longbridge Lane. At this point the river takes a turn from east to north. See for view of building where this is found.

Brief glimpse of River Rea, Longbridge
The River Rea very briefly surfaces from under the old Austin/Rover works opposite the entrance to Longbridge Railway Station.

River Rea culvert exit, Tessall Lane Bridge. The river has just passed under the Rover works after entering the culvert by the old B.R. ticket office on Bristol Road South

River Rea from Tessall Lane Bridge.
The river has just emerged from the underground culvert taking it from by the old B.R. ticket office on Bristol Road South and under the Rover works.

River Rea from The Ford, Mill Walk, Northfield.

River Rea, off Mill Lane, Northfield.

The Ford near the railway

River Rea, here in Northfield
Just after it passes under Coleys Lane it is little more than a large stream.

River Rea at West Heath Road Bridge

Plaque at bridge across river on West Heath Road, Northfield, where River Rea crosses under. The inscription reads "West Heath Road Bridge rebuilt by Birmingham City Council as part of the River Rea Improvement Scheme Completed in August 2001".

The Rea near Middlemore Road

The Rea Valley Cycle route at Popes Lane

The Rea from Popes Lane bridge

The Rea and Weir near Popes Lane


River Rea flood weir
This overflow weir allows the river to flood into a holding area in order to balance the flow at times of high water after heavy rains. The bridge carries the Rea Valley walkway .

River Rea looking towards Wychall Road Bridge.
Taken from just off the River Rea walkway.

River Rea from Wychall Road Bridge. Looking north towards city.

The Rea passing through Kings Norton Nature Reserve

River Rea with small brook joining from right.
River just off Wychall Lane opposite Downcroft Avenue.

River Rea approaching Lifford from Lifford Lane.

Lifford to Highgate

River Rea from Fordhouse Lane, Breedon Cross.

The Bourn joins the River Rea, Ten Acres, Stirchley just in the junction of Pershore Road and Cartland Road, the Bourn reaches the River Rea. It started out in Northfield as Merritts Brook, flowed into Griffins Brook before becoming the Bourn and passing through Cadbury's factory.

Halcyon day on the River Rea
Birmingham was originally founded on a crossing of the River Rea in the centre of present-day Birmingham. Here it flows through Ten Acres, Stirchley, at the end of Bewdley Road. Halcyon days - as I walked through some scrub land to take the photograph I disturbed a kingfisher which flew off along the River. All this just a few yards from the busy A441 Pershore Road in a densely built-up area.

Brick footbridge over the River Rea, Ten Acres.

Dogpool Lane Bridge
An example of an early reinforced concrete bridge over the River Rea.

A new bridge at Dogpool Lane has now replaced the one shown above.

River Rea downstream of Dogpool Lane Bridge.

Cycle path along the River Rea looking north. This is part of National Cycle Network Route 5.

The River Rea, Cannon Hill Park

The River Rea rises in Waseley Hills Country Park, Worcestershire and flows 14 miles northwards to join the River Teme. For most of its course it is an urban river flowing through Birmingham.

River Rea in Cannon Hill Park

View from the bridge on the River Rea, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham

River Rea by Cannon Hill Park looking in the opposite direction (downstream) to previous photp. The waterside path changes sides at the bridge that is the viewpoint.

The Bourn Brook joins the River Rea, Cannon Hill Park

Evening reflections, River Rea view along riverside path, approaching the new rebuilt Midland Arts Centre on edge of Cannon Hill Park.

Riverside walk, Edgbaston Walk alongside River Rea, running alongside car park
(above on right), in direction of MAC, Cannon Hill Park entrance and Nature Centre.

Edgbaston Road, River Rea
In leafy Edgbaston, close to Edgbaston Cricket Ground, view looking north along the River Rea towards ornate Edgbaston Road bridge.

Picturesque, River Rea
A little smelly, but beautifully lit on a sunny Summer's afternoon. View from under Edgbaston Road bridge looking north.

Rea Rea, Balsall Heath looking towards the city centre



Highgate to Saltley

River Rea passing Warwickshire CCC Ground taken from Edgbaston Road looking towards the city.

River Rea from Edward Road looking towards the city

River Rea, a glimpse of the river as it passes through Nechells. Any view of the Rea along this stretch is hard to find at this point.

River Rea from Balsall Heath Road looking towards the city

River Rea from Macdonald Street, looking South

Bridge over River Rea in "Beorma Ingas Ham"
Here the River Rea passes under Gooch Street and the bridge has a metalwork inscription on either side of the road.

Bridge over River Rea "Near This River Crossing Was Founded Birmingham"
Bridge over the River Rea at Gooch Street with metalwork inscription.

River Rea after passing under Gooch Street. The Rea has just passed under Gooch Street with the bridge decorated with metalwork inscriptions on either side telling of the founding of Birmingham by the Anglian King Beorma.

River Rea from Macdonald Street, looking North

River Rea from Moseley Street, Digbeth.
Here the River Rea heads towards the heart of Birmingham, culverted and well hidden from general view.

River Rea, Highgate
Tributary of the River Tame, seen here from the Gooch Street bridge.

River Rea, Highgate
Despite its importance in the development of Birmingham, it is largely ignored by the population and is mainly culverted in the central area of the city.

River Rea alongside Floodgate Street from derelict ground off Deritend High Street

River Rea glimpsed from a train entering Moor Street Station

River Rea
Digbeth High Street typical of the urban section of the river through Birmingham.

River Rea from Fazeley Street looking north.

River Rea passes under Duddeston Mill Road

Saltley to River Tame

River Rea from bridge over Saltley Viaduct looking north.

River Rea passes Star City, Birmingham
At this point the River Rea has less than half a mile to flow before joining the River Tame.

River Rea, just before it ends, Birmingham.
Here the River Rea has nearly completed its journey from the Waseley Hills to the River Tame by the M6 Motorway. Less than half a mile to go.

River Rea - Heartlands Parkway
A typical concrete invert and brick walled channel section has been covered with a deep concrete slab.

River Rea - The End
Joining the River Tame Birmingham's River Rea completes the journey from Waseley Hills and joins the River Tame in the shadow of the elevated section of the M6 Motorway just south of Spaghetti Junction.

Next Page - Tributaries of the River Rea

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