We can’t get enough of Brum! In our second instalment bigging up Birmingham, we take a look at another five reasons why it really is the best.
Walk the Walk
You’d be forgiven for thinking that crossing the busy roads of Birmingham is akin to taking your life in your own hands. So try this one out: leave the 1960s state-of-the-art Bull Ring and head towards the International Convention Centre. The fifteen-minute stroll will only require you to cross one road. We think that’s pretty impressive in a world where the car is king!
Our Very Own Bit of Middle Earth
J R R Tolkien is best known as the author of The Hobbit and its enchanting sequel, The Lord of the Rings. But did you know that the inspiration behind these classics came from some of his childhood haunts in the city? If you are staying in Birmingham city centre serviced apartments or one of its many hotels, consider visiting the village of Sarehole, where he initially lived. It’s widely thought of as the inspiration for Hobbiton and the Shire. And Moseley Bog – an area of wild wood – was the basis for some of the badlands he wrote about.
Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend
Looking for that special something? Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, which was thankfully saved from the 1960s architectural cull, is one of Europe’s only surviving early manufacturing districts, called ‘a national treasure’ by English Heritage – you are almost sure to find that hidden gem! And while you are at it, why not visit city centre serviced apartments in Birmingham like 8waterloostreet?
Iconic Birmingham
Housed in a magnificent Grade II listed neo-Gothic former Victorian boarding school, Birmingham’s Ikon Gallery is at the very heart of the city’s contemporary art scene. An internationally acclaimed venue, it offers free entry for all and encourages public engagement through its exhibits.
Splendour in the Suburbs
The south of the city is home to a host of Birmingham suburbs. This development originated when the Cadbury family created homes for its workers in the 1870s in leafy Bournville. In contrast, the north of the city remains very industrialised.
Birmingham has so much to offer. Take a stroll through the city and immerse yourself in its beauty and heritage.