The second-largest city in the United Kingdom, Birmingham tends to play second fiddle to London for most people, but not for anyone who knows better, and understands that Birmingham boasts culture, cuisine, and waterways in abundance. Located in the middle of the West Midlands region, the once great manufacturing center has now evolved into a must-visit location thanks to its stunning architectural landscape, incredible gastronomic offerings, and a vibe that is simultaneously old-world and cutting-edge. For anyone traveling to Birmingham for business or pleasure, passing by some of the city’s must-see sights is sure to result in missed opportunities. Here are three such sights that you definitely don’t want to pass up.
Logistically speaking, getting to Birmingham from the south may be a breeze when done right. Though there are trains to and fro London every day, a lot of people like to use their cars because they want to take the picturesque journey through the Home Counties. However, if your travel plans involve a pickup from a suburb before taking either the M1 or M6, then arranging for transport in advance will ensure a smooth experience. Take, for example, reserving Taxis Hemel, which may help ease the transition from suburbia to metro in an instant. Upon arrival in Birmingham, the buzz becomes evident straightaway, and that is where we start our adventure!
To start off with what you must not miss is the Jewellery Quarter, which is a protected heritage site and produces 40% of jewellery in Britain. Exploring this area will give you the feel of Victorian era along with the modern culture. While you are walking through this historic area, do not limit yourself to window shopping only, but get in touch with the museum and enjoy the tour at Museum of the Jewellery Quarter which will help you experience the factory work process since 1981. There you can see melting, cutting, polishing of gold in hand of skilled workers. Apart from the museum, there are many gin distilleries and art coffee shops in this area. Do not forget to visit the Saint Paul’s House to have afternoon tea in this place. What makes this area unique is that you will be able to feel the history as you will be holding a piece of silver which has been made in Birmingham. If you are trying to find what is unique about Birmingham then the chimneys with the glass galleries explain it all.
Should the notoriously fickle weather of West Midlands descend into grey skies, you will never regret making your way to Birmingham where two amazing indoor attractions await you. Secondly, and definitely not to be missed, comes a combination attraction of the Library of Birmingham and the Bullring & Grand Central food venues – although not in the sense that you might think! First off is the Library of Birmingham, an ultra-modern building featuring stacked golden circles and glass. Then hop into the elevator up to the Shakespeare Memorial Room, and from there make your way up to the secret garden on the top floor.Just continue for five minutes and reach the Bullring, which includes the Selfridges building, known for having 15,000 pieces of aluminum discs. But do not go for any restaurant chains and visit the Indoor Market (operating from Tuesday to Saturday). It is here that you can taste the famed Birmingham Balti, an Indian dish invented in this very city in the 1970s. This particular curry dish is different from the regular Indian curry since it is cooked in pressed steel wok. The Balti will be served sizzling with hot naan bread. Enjoying it within the hustle and bustle of the market is quintessentially Birmingham.
For individuals who traveled to this area using transportation services for their specialized purposes, this area is conveniently accessible from almost all drop-off locations. In case your trip included taking an aircraft into one of the satellite airports around London in order to save some money on the cost of transport, you may well have availed yourself of some specialized transport services. For instance, people traveling to Luton will likely have arranged Hemel Hempstead Airport Taxis to get them started on their northern route, which eventually drops them off in the middle of the West Midlands transport center.
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The third point you cannot miss is the canal system. Birmingham boasts more miles of canals than the city of Venice—with over 35 miles of navigable canal winding around Birmingham. However, visitors rarely even glance into the canals. Do not overlook this aspect of the city. Visit Brindleyplace or the Gas Street Basin area to see the narrow boats painted red and blue moored at the old warehouses. The best way to see this is by taking a 45-minute round trip canal cruise. You will move underneath bridges that are too low, experience historic locks, and see the rear of the ICC and Arena Birmingham. During the summer months, the towpath becomes alive with pop-up bars, street art installations, and movie screenings. During winter, the mist emanating from the warm water amidst the cold brickwork gives off a mysterious and romantic feel. Do not simply take the path; get on a boat. The tour guides here are all retired canal boat workers and they have wonderful stories about the role played by these waterways during the industrial revolution. If you want to do something unique, there are even self-drive electric boats available for hire that you can take out into the waterway for a picnic on the waterway. Ignoring the canals would be like visiting Rome and skipping the Colosseum—they are the lifeblood of the city.
In order to get the best experience from all these three sites, purchase a West Midlands Day Ranger rail and tram ticket, which will give you easy access to the Jewellery Quarter, the city center, and even the Black Country Living Museum, where Peaky Blinders was filmed. Avoid visiting on Monday morning in case you wish to see the Indoor Market open, and remember to reserve your place for jewelry making workshops beforehand since they get booked weeks in advance. Lastly, make sure you have good walking shoes, as the distance between all sites is quite extensive.
Birmingham has stopped being either a joke or a place to make a quick pitstop. Birmingham is a city of doers, diners, and daydreamers. You can see the true face of the West Midlands by visiting its Jewelry Quarter, its cultural centers, and its canal network. Do not just visit the city; spend the weekend there. You will take back with you a sterling silver ring and a very full stomach.
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