Birmingham Information

Birmingham is the second largest city in the UK, and was mentioned in the Domesday Book. It probably originated around today's area of Digbeth during the 7th century. By 1538 it was producing tools and knives and by 1639 was manufacturing arms, and it supplied swords to the Parliamentarian side during the Civil War. In the late 18th century, Mathew Bolton and James Watt perfected the design of the steam engine in Birmingham. And it soon became the main centre of industry and commerce, due to its canal network and its close proximity to the iron and coal deposits in north Warwickshire. It is still an important manufacturing centre, famous in particular for cars, jewellery and chocolate, and is known as ‘the city of a thousand trades'.

Many interesting old buildings show off their superb architecture throughout the city. These include the Town Hall, which was built in the 1830s, and is a wonderful example of Victorian architecture. It has 40 Corinthian columns of Anglesey marble, inspired by classical Roman temples! The Council House was built in Renaissance style in the 1870s, and has a famous clock known locally as ‘Big Brum'. St Martin's Church dates back to the 13th century, and has some great stained glass by Birmingham's famous son, Edward Coley Burne-Jones, as has 18th century St Philip's Cathedral which also has a magnificent Baroque tower.

The Church of St Chad was the first Roman Catholic church to be built after the Reformation – designed in 1839-41 by Pugin, it is brick-built in the 14th century Gothic style.
Birmingham has great shopping and excellent restaurants, including authentic Kashmiri food along the ‘Balti Mile'. Other interesting attractions include art galleries - the Ikon Gallery is one of Europe's premier galleries for new art, the Barber Institute of Fine Arts has works by Gainsborough, Turner, Renoir, Monet and Degas, and Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is very fine. Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter produces most of the jewellery made in Britain today, and you can visit the museum there.


More modern attractions include the National Sea Life Centre, with over 3,000 creatures and a 360 degree transparent underwater tunnel, allowing you to stand suspended mid-ocean! Millenium Point is a landmark millennium project, and Thinktank is an interactive museum of sciency and discovery.
There are three important venues in Birmingham. The International Convention Centre hosts meets of world leaders in industry and politics, and is also the home of the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. The National Indoor Arena hosts shows and sporting events. And the National Exhibition Centre is important for trade shows and major concerts.
And for some major self-indulgence for children and adults, go to Cadbury World in Bournville and eat chocolate to your heart's content and find out all about this famous chocolate manufacturer.

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