Did you know that Britain’s second-largest city, Birmingham, is also one that is booming? Next to a brand new modern library, a high ranked University and beautifully renovated Victorian buildings, there are also new parks, public spaces, and extravagant new residential and commercial buildings. Of course we cannot forget to mention the outstanding Mailbox and Bullring shopping malls and the bubbled facade of the iconic Selfridges building.
Alongside galleries, exceptional shopping malls and museums you’ll discover a growing number of great restaurants, secret cocktail bars and charming canals with waterside pubs, attractions and cruises. Birmingham is also famous for its industrial heritage, which you can relive in the Jewellery Quarter, or by a tour around Cadbury’s manufacturing plant or visit an old custard factory that’s been converted into a brand-new creative centre.
If you are still not 100% convinced, below is a summary of some extra reasons why many magazines and bloggers mention Birmingham high on their list as a top tourist destination.
Cosy Canals:
In total Birmingham has more waterways than Venice. The canals are one of the city’s best features – giving a charming backdrop to Birmingham’s stylish Mailbox complex, as well as a photogenic image covering about 35 miles around the city.
You should definitely walk along the Gas Street Basin. It is a pleasant way to spend an afternoon and there are a lot of cosy restaurants and pubs to take a relaxing break in.
Belting Balti:
Birmingham’s curry heritage is well-known worldwide, and with good reason.
The city’s ‘Balti Triangle‘, an area covering Sparkbrook, Balsall Heath and Moseley, contains over 100 Asian restaurants which equals tens of thousands of diners a week.
And that’s not all for the gastronomic visitors; there are a number of Michelin-starred restaurants in Birmingham, as well as over 200 places in the city centre serving food from nearly 30 different countries.
Fewer tourists:
Many magazines make the valid point that there are simply fewer tourists in Birmingham than other cities such as London.
It makes a big difference to your experience when visiting somewhere to not be overrun by map-flapping, slow-walking tourists. It’s much more relaxing, and it gives you the opportunity to visit Birmingham at your own speed.
Pretty Parks:
There are plenty of parks and other green spaces in and around Birmingham where you can go for a walk, have a lovely picnic or just sit and relax with a book and take in the fresh air and flowers.
Within the city you can find Cannon Hill Park, Kings Heath Park, Pype Hayes Park and many others. Or just a short drive out from Birmingham you can find Lickey Hills Country Park, Clent Hills, and Sandwell Valley Country Park.
Mysterious Moseley Bog:
Talking about parks, Moseley Bog was the inspiration for JRR Tolkien’s celebrated fantasy fiction The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. The bog, which is located between Yardley Wood Road and Wake Green Road, has a very rich variety of wildlife and habitats.
The site is also home to two Bronze Age burnt mounds, a former mill pool dam, a pond and water mill. It’s definitely worth passing by if you want to clear your mind or enjoy a day out with the family..
Astonishing Aston Hall:
One of Birmingham’s most cherished buildings; Aston Hall has the reputation to be the most haunted residence in town. Its rich history probably links back to Washington Irving, author of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle. If you want to visit this beautiful building, it’s good to know that the entrance is free on the first Sunday of each month. The rest of the time there is an admission charge for the hall itself, though the gardens, grounds and visitor facilities are always free to visitors.
Curious Jewellery Quarter:
Described by English Heritage as ‘a national treasure’, Jewellery Quarter contains many historical delights. The Quarter is situated in the north of the city of Birmingham (St Paul’s Square) and definitely holds the largest amount of wholesale and retail jewellery manufacturers in all of Europe.
One of the most noteworthy landmarks in the Jewellery Quarter is Chamberlain Clock, located in the middle of the junction of Vyse Street, Warstone Lane and Frederick Street.
Near to the famous Clock, you can visit Warstone Lane Cemetery – which dates back to the late 1840s, where it was once a burial ground for the members of the Anglican Church. An interesting part of the cemetery is the two tiers of catacombs at the back. Well worth a visit!
Creative Custard factory:
Do you want to try out something new, instead of shopping at the city centre malls? Well, it’s worth exploring the Custard Factory in Gibb Street, Digbeth.
The Custard Factory, in Birmingham’s creative quarter and digital district, is packed full with independent and alternative stores, great galleries, the famous Yumm cafe and a theatre. Next to this, you can also find the studios of Maverick TV (How to Look Good Naked, Embarrassing Bodies) and North One TV (The Gadget Show).
Our savvy team have selected some of Birmingham’s greatest features. All that’s left to do now is to plan a trip to check it all out!
More information on Birmingham can be found on their official website.
Have a Great Brummie Time!
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