Birmingham Places of Brum

We told a few of our work colleagues that we were going to Birmingham for a break and they all looked at us for with dismay, well Birmingham these days is a city break location and actually has lots to offer as a tourist destination.

I have been to Birmingham many times with my family and through one of my previous jobs at  time when they were still revamping The Bullring, but D had never been there except through it on the train when travelling to see family down south from Scotland on the train.  

Birmingham is the UKs second largest city.  Like Cardiff it has changed dramatically over the past decade.  

Library of Birmingham affectionately known by some locals as 'The Cake'.

The glitzy disco ball dome like Bullring.

The famous Birmingham Bull. 

We did not go into the Birmingham Bullring as I had no desire to shop and only admired it from outside, 

Birmingham is known for its cultural, ethnic and religious diversity, so I loved seeing these banners being proudly displayed, but at the same time that evening in the city centre I also witnessed two different faith groups in the city centre trying to out-shout each other with the same message about God, it made my heart sink as it could easily become confrontational.

 Marvelling at reflections of the surrounding architecture.

A Hundred Thousand Welcomes - we were discussing as to how old this sign was? I thought 1980's, D thought much older.  We were both wrong, it is part of Digbeth Public Art Project and the work o an Irish artist called David Sherry, and A hundred thousand welcomes is the English translation of a traditional Irish greeting Caed mil failte.

Here is a link to a short film by Andy Howlett about ghost signs and typography on the streets of Digbeth. 

A We then came across The Electric a stunning building.  The Electric is the UK's oldest working cinema. 

 The Old Crown (1368) is a pub and reputed to be the oldest secular building in Birmingham (1368).  

We also explored the Custard Factory, Arcadian, Brindleyplace and other locations throughout the city.

The Jewellery Quarter

Like an silly teenager, I amused myself over this floral iron urinal from 1880 dubbed as Temple of Relief in the Jewellery Quarter

Back to Library of Birmingham, but this time right from the top where they have what is dubbed as a Secret Garden. It certainly is a nice place to chill from the bustle of the city below.  

However, this was our view.  I remember the last time I was in Birmingham, they were revamping the Bullring and not its other parts, so much work - so we look forward to coming back in a years time to see the changes.h

 We also took a canal ride on one of the Narrow Boats which was most enjoyable.  

As well as the boat ride, we also walked along the canal.

No need to rush, just relax.....yes that is what holidays are for.

Due to our short visit, we did not get to see the Botanical gardens and Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, but it is saved for another time as it is definitely worth visiting.

If you enjoyed this blog post, then please note I will be writing more about Birmingham including its Graffiti Art of which there was so much and then as a Vegetarian what and where we ate, so please do come back.