Where is the Five Ways Clock Tower?

The Five Ways Clock Tower is located between Harborne Road, Calthorpe Road and Old Calthorpe Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 1QP

In brief

The clock tower at Five Ways was put up to commemmorate the First Coroner of the Borough, John Birt Davis, who held the office for 36 years, in 1878.

Five Ways Clock (January 2023. Photography by Jonathan Bostock

Five Ways Clock Tower - history

The clock tower was erected at Five Ways near Calthorpe Road and Harborne Road, Edgbaston in the late 19th century, to commemorate the first Coroner of the Borough of Birmingham, John Birt Davies (1799 - 1878), who took the roll in 1839, and retired 36 years later, in 1875, at the age of 76. 

Five Ways Clock Tower (May 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

After his death in 1878, the clock was erected in his memory.

Five Ways Clock Tower (June 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

The clock faces many landmarks in Five Ways, including the Marriott Hotel (now Delta Hotels Marriott).

Five Ways Clock Tower (January 2014). Photography by Elliott Brown

In another direction it faced Auchinleck House (now Park Regis Hotel Birmingham).

Five Ways Clock Tower (February 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown

The closest building to it is the Grade II listed, 60 Calthorpe Road, which is now part of a Costa Coffee Drive Thru.

Five Ways Clock Tower (August 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

The clock outlived King Edward VI Five Ways School, which was located in what is now the middle of the island from around 1883 to 1958 (the school relocated to Bartley Green).

Five Ways Clock Tower (July 2022). Photography by Elliott Brown

Seems like the clock has been stuck at 5:40 for quite a while, or the clock no longer works?

Five Ways Clock Tower (January 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown