Birmingham

Birmingham, known as the ‘first manufacturing town’ in its role in the industrial revolution. Also known for Cadbury’s chocolate, canals, shopping and music. And that’s just to name a few! As there are so many other aspects to this city and interesting gems to discover.

This is not my first visit to the city, and I doubt it will be the last! I first came for the Christmas Markets. Situated very close to New Street station, so very easy to find your way from the train. The large Christmas market on New Street and Victoria Square offered a wide selection of gifts, trinkets, and food and drink.

I’d researched the city beyond the Christmas Markets and read and heard some interesting things, so I was keen to return again.

Stepping off the train at Birmingham New Street and into the station itself you’ll find a large, busy space. And, of course it’s going to be. With it’s location being right in the centre, great connections to all other major cities in the country, and having the Grand Central Shopping Centre right above it.

Birmingham New Street is said to be the busiest train station in the UK outside of London. It is the largest of the three stations in the city. The other two being Birmingham International and Birmingham Moor Street.

As we walked into the centre point of the station we were greeted with the iconic view of Ozzy the Bull. Named after Ozzy Osbourne, the frontman of the Birmingham band Black Sabbath, after a public vote.

Previously known as Raging Bull, Ozzy was due to be dismantled at the end of the 2022 Commonwealth Games but was saved after a public campaign.

The 10-meter creation was designed as a homage to the city’s contribution to the Industrial Revolution. The bull symbolises the spirit of the city and it’s people.

In the 16th century a man called John Cooper was given the right to bait bulls at a site opposite St Martin’s Church, which became known as the Bull Ring. The area itself was known as Corn Cheaping, and the bull ring referred to the green within the corn cheaping. The ring was the hoop of iron in the corn cheaping that the bulls were tied to through their nose for baiting before slaughter.

Considered a landmark in the city. First built and opened in 1964. The image of the Bull Ring as we see it today was opened in 2003.

It consists of over 160 shops and 40 restaurants/eateries across four levels and is only a short walk from Grand Central shopping centre and New Street station. If you’re into shopping the Bull Ring certainly won’t disappoint! You can easily spend a day, or two here! Just having a walk around and checking out the building itself was a delight.

Sadly, we were only Birmingham for the day so didn’t get to check out the night life. We most definitely will be making it a weekend trip next time though!

We did however, go for a stroll along Broad Street which hosts a string of bars and clubs and is the popular point for night life in the city.

Known for having the most Michelin-Stars outside of London, we knew were in some culinary treats. We pre-booked afternoon tea at the Mark Pierre White restaurant. One of the main reasons being that it’s situated on the 25th floor of the Mail Box, so we had some pretty amazing views of the city as we ate lunch.

After lunch we were keen to try out some of the canal side bars as it was the perfect day to sit outside with a cocktail or two!

We opted to check out The Canal House and Pitcher and Piano at Brindleyplace. Both we’d highly recommend for their service, views of the canal, drinks menu, and feel good vibe.

There were many more appealing looking places to chill for a while longer, if we didn’t need to head back for our train. But, next time Birmingham!

Birmingham has more miles of canals than Venice. 

The canals were used to transport coal, iron, and other goods during the Industrial Revolution.

Sutton Park is home to Europe’s largest urban park outside of a capital city.

The first ever working Steam Engine and the anchor of the Titanic were built in the Black Country.

The first ever hole-in-the heart surgery was carried out in Birmingham’s Children Hospital in 1950.

It’s known for being the youngest city in Europe with 40% of its population being under 25.

Birmingham was home to the great scientists and inventors Matthew Boulton, James Watt and William Murdoch, leading Birmingham to be the first manufacturing town in the world.

Birmingham hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2022.

Birmingham International Airport is the third largest in the UK, and the city sees over one million international visitors each year.

Birmingham is also highly well known for its famous Jewellery Quarter, where a third of the UK’s jewellery is manufactured.

Birmingham is the hometown of many successful musicians, including Duran Duran, Ozzy Osbourne and UB40.

Birmingham Hippodrome is the UK’s busiest and most popular theatre with more than half a million visitors each year.

Birmingham is the homeland of chocolate, with Cadbury’s starting production in Bull Street back in 1824. It is thought that the novel ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ was inspired by Roald Dahl’s experience of Cadbury’s. 

The Library of Birmingham, a huge £189m project which opened its doors in 2013, is the largest public library in the UK, and the largest regional library and cultural space in Europe.