Aerial view of Birmingham: The panoramic image shows a densely built-up city with modern and historic buildings. A busy street and a church with a pointed tower can be seen in the foreground. Behind them, skyscrapers and a large, modern, silver-coloured, wave-shaped building stand out. The scene is brightly lit and conveys a sense of urban activity and development.
Aerial view of Birmingham: The panoramic image shows a densely built-up city with modern and historic buildings. A busy street and a church with a pointed tower can be seen in the foreground. Behind them, skyscrapers and a large, modern, silver-coloured, wave-shaped building stand out. The scene is brightly lit and conveys a sense of urban activity and development.

Birmingham - Jewel of the English Midlands

Published: 07 November 2024, 09:30

Whether feasting in the Balti Triangle, shopping in the Bullring or following in the footsteps of J.R.R. Tolkien - there's never a dull moment in Birmingham, the UK's second largest city. The city in central England is an architectural mosaic in which old industrial buildings, Victorian splendour and modern buildings blend harmoniously. The famous library, one of the largest libraries in Europe, is particularly eye-catching with its ornamental façade. With 35 miles of waterways, the Midlands metropolis is said to have more canals than Venice. Birmingham also has plenty of culinary delights to offer with numerous street food festivals and curry houses. The world-famous Balti curry was created here. Last but not least, the city is known for its jewellery tradition, which is still lived and told in the workshops and studios in the Jewellery Quarter.

Numbers, data, facts

  • Time difference: - one hour
  • Population: 1.14 million
  • Official language: English
  • Currency: British pound (GBP)

"Be there or be square" - cool squares and neighbourhoods

The picture shows a deserted square surrounded by flowerbeds and several historic and modern buildings. In the foreground is a round monument with a dome-shaped roof. Skyscrapers with glass facades can be seen behind it. On the right of the picture is a striking modern building, which stands out due to its eye-catching architecture with a lattice pattern and a golden round dome. The sky is blue and clear.
In the city centre and the starting point for important sights: Centenary Square is home to the modern library, Symphony Hall and the Hall of Memory. © dudlajzov/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows a large Victorian house with an impressive façade and cupola. In the foreground are wide steps with people sitting on them. A large sculpture can be seen on the left.
The centrepiece of Birmingham: On Victoria Square, people like to meet on the grand staircase in front of the town hall, a neoclassical building from the 19th century. © senicer/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows an illuminated church with a pointed tower and a clock at night. To the left is a modern, blue-lit building with a curved façade.
Modern and historic architecture on the Bullring: people pray in St Martin's Church while shopping in the futuristic mall next door. © dudlajzov/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows several colourful canal boats. Old brick buildings can be seen in the background. A larger building with a modern extension and chimney bears the lettering "Regency Wharf".
Canals instead of cobblestones: The Gas Street Basin delights with colourful houseboats, pubs and picturesque paths that invite you to stroll along the waterfront. © Jackie Davies/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows house facades with signs from jewellers and tailors. These are attached to wrought-iron brackets on red brick houses.
To the north-west of the city centre lies the Jewellery Quarter - a district that has been home to jewellery shops for more than 200 years. A museum tells the story. © Chris Lawrence/stock.adobe.com

Between castles, villages and national parks: the Midlands

William Shakespeare's homeland, lush green landscapes and medieval castles - welcome to the Midlands, a region in central England that is relatively unknown to tourists but incredibly charming. The heart of Birmingham beats in the centre of this region, from where it is easy to plan day trips to the surrounding area.

The Peak District, England's first national park, offers an extensive network of hiking trails through green valleys and along craggy cliffs. Traditional England with its charming villages and golden limestone houses can be experienced in the Cotswolds, south of Birmingham. The clocks still tick very differently here.

An absolute must for anyone interested in culture is Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of the famous poet William Shakespeare. Just a few kilometres from Stratford is the imposing Warwick Castle, one of the best-preserved medieval castles in England. In short, the Midlands have a lot to offer culture vultures and nature lovers alike.

On the road: Exciting day trips

The picture shows a green landscape at sunset. A winding road meanders through green hills lined with steep cliffs. A wide valley with fields can be seen in the background
Hiking in the Peak District: The national park with its green valleys, moors, caves and charming villages is located an hour north of Birmingham. © Tim Hill/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows an idyllic village with traditional English stone houses stretching along a small shallow river. A bridge crosses the water. The village is surrounded by woodland and the sky is bathed in warm colours
Traditional villages like Castle Combe in the Cotswolds: the region south of Birmingham is known for its pretty stone cottages. © U-JINN Photography/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows a street with historic half-timbered houses. One of the buildings is black and white, bears the lettering "Shakespeare" and is decorated with hanging baskets of flowers. There is a church in the background
"To be or not to be, that is the question here.": If you want to get to the bottom of this Shakespeare quote, you should travel to Stratford-upon-Avon, the poet's birthplace. © EleSi/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows a large medieval castle with high towers, surrounded by lush nature. A river with a small, pink-coloured boat can be seen in the foreground.
A place steeped in ancient myths and legends: Warwick Castle from the 11th century is the largest and best-preserved castle in northern and central England. © Leonid Andronov/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows a Gothic cathedral with three pointed towers, surrounded and partially obscured by trees and manicured green spaces. In the foreground, a small river runs alongside a well-tended garden with benches
Interesting architecture in the county of Staffordshire: with its three spires, the medieval cathedral in Lichfield is unique in the whole of England. © arenaphotouk/stock.adobe.com

Birmingham from BER

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Birmingham Airport (BHX)

Five travel tips for ...

1. Sarehole Mill in Hall Green: The historic mill where Tolkien lived as a child. The still rural Sarehole is said to have been Tolkien's inspiration for the Shire.

2. Moseley Bog: The woodland where he spent a lot of time as a boy and which is said to have been the inspiration for the woods in his books.

3. Perrott's Folly + Edgbaston Waterworks: The towering spires are said to have inspired Tolkien's two towers in "Lord of the Rings".

4. Oratory Church of St Philip Neri: The church that Tolkien often visited as a child.

5. Tolkien Trail: The self-guided tour leads to places and landscapes that influenced his literary works.

1. Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery: Extensive art collection

2. Museum Jewellery Quarter: Insights into jewellery making

3. Barber Institute of Fine Arts: Works of art by European masters

4. Hall of Memory: Remembering the victims of the world wars

5. Ikon Gallery: Contemporary gallery in an old Baptist church

 

1. Sea Life - aquarium with more than 2,000 sea creatures

2. Cadbury World - paradise for chocolate lovers

3. Thinktank Science Museum - interactive science museum

4. Wildlife Conservation Park – an animal park with wild animals

5. Cannon Hill Park - playgrounds, boat hire and mini golf 

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