Birmingham is
England's second largest city and is bustling with life and
exciting places to visit and things to do.
For a start there is the Bull Ring, an ultra modern shopping
complex right in the heart of the city centre brimming with
stores. Bull Ring has 26 football pitches worth of shops,
boutiques and restaurants and is home to Selfridges and
Debenhams among many, many other top names. the Apple store,
Selfridges is its most famous with its stunning 21st century
exterior..
Not far away is The Mailbox - a shopping centre with a
difference. Every store here is designer - top label names led
by its flagship store Harvey Nichols. But that's not all - along
New Street and Corporation Street there are hundreds of other
shops and shopping malls! The Pallasades, Pavillion Central,
Martineau Place, City Plaza and Great Western Arcade are all
brimming with shops.
Birmingham boasts that it has more miles of canals than Venice
and the city has certainly made the most of them. Brindley Place
in Broad Street is full of waterfront safes, bars and
restaurants. There are pleasant canal side walks and boat trips.
Birmingham has one of the country's best reperatory theatres
staging top class shows. It sits on the far side of Centenary
Square with the Studio Theatre adjoining.
Nearby is the ultra modern International Convention Center which
has 11 conference halls seating from 30 to 3000 people and
linked to the Hyatt Regency Hotel - a glass palace - and an
elegant concert hall.
This is one
of Europe's premier conference centres.
China town
Birmingham
has its own Chinese Quarter, a vibrant community that exists in
the heart of the city not far from New Street Station.
There are many Chinese restaurants and
supermarkets in Birmingham and some fine examples of Chinese
architecture. Birmingham's first Chinese restaurant
opened in 1956 at Holloway Head and was called the Tong Kung.
Jewellery Quarter
Just outside the city centre
is the world famous Jewellery Quarter. It used to be said that
the streets here were lined with gold - literally - as a result
of the goldsmiths sweeping out their shops at night. Whatver you
are looking for in jewellery, you will find it here. The
Jewellery Quarter Museum is located in Vyse Street.
The National Sea Life Centre
There are over 60 displays of freshwater and marine life and
the attraction boasts an enormous one million litre ocean tank
housing giant green sea turtles, black tip reef sharks and
tropical reef fish. Read more about
The National Sea Life Centre
Star City
A fantastic
cinema and leisure complex and the biggest in the UK. Operated
by Warner Bros there are bars, shops and restaurants and plenty
of cinemas, ten pin bowling and amusements. Star City has a
dedicated Gold Class area consisting of three screens which
offer electronic reclining seats and side tables with extra leg
room. Gold Class even has it's own Casablanca Bar which provides
drinks.
Symphony Hall
Birmingham is home to the world famous City of Birmingham
Symphony Orchestra. Since Symphony Hall opened in 1991, it has
been acclaimed as one of the finest concert halls in the world.
Although the majority of performances in the Hall are of
classical music, the programme is complemented by rock, pop,
folk, country and jazz music, and even stand-up comedy. It is
within the International Convention Centre complex.
National Indoor Arena
Birmingham's National Indoor Arena near the canal was opened in
1992 accommodating up to 12,000 spectators.
The
Gladiators use the centre for their popular television show.
Nestling by the canal with it's relaxed atmosphere and a host of
pubs and restaurants.
Barber Institute of Fine Arts
Close to Birmingham University, the Barber Institute of Fine
Arts began from a private bequest by Lady Barber. It now houses
the University's excellent collection of art from the
Renaissance to the 20th century. It includes works by Botticelli,
Bellini, Tintoretto, Rubens, Rembrandt, Watteau, Manet, Monet,
Gainsborough, Constable and Degas.
The Icon Gallery
The Icon
Gallery is a well known art gallery for new and modern art.
Situated in new premises in Oozells Square in Brindley Place.
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
The Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery situated in Chamberlain
Square is one of the finest outside London. It has some of the
world's finest examples of Pre-Raphaelite art. Opened in 1885,
the museum houses prehistoric collections, birds and wildlife
section, paintings and drawings, precious stones and jewellery,
The museum is very pro active in its exhibitions and displays
and is not a place to be rushed. Its art treasures include a
matchless collection of Pre-Raphaelites (Ford Madox Brown,
Arthur Hughes, Dante Gabriel Rossetti and others), as well as
paintings from the 17th to 19th centuries, among them
Canaletto's picture of Warwick Castle (1748), Lely's portrait
(1654) of Oliver Cromwell, Victorian works by David Cox, the
Birmingham landscape painter, and modern art - pictures by Wendy
Ramshaw and sculptures by Henry Moore, Rodin and James Tower.
Birmingham Museum of Science and History
Close to the Post Office in Newhall Street, the Museum of
Science and Industry celebrates Birmingham's industrial history.
It has fine collections of machinery and motor cars.
Aston Hall
Aston Hall was built by Sir Thomas
Holte in 1618 although work was not completed until 1635 and is
one of England's greatest Jacobean Country Houses,
Aston Hall is
now the property of Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.
The Holte's of Aston Hall are buried in nearby Aston Church here
alongside the grave of other prominent locals.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
The
Birmingham Botanical Gardens is spread over 15 acres of
beautiful gardens and is located in Edgbaston on Westbourne
Road. There are spectacular glass houses with tropical plants
and it is the home of the National Bonsai collection. There is a
play area for children and the Botanical Gardens also has some
waterfowl and exotic birds.
Birmingham Nature Centre
The Nature
Centre is not a zoo but a haven for animal lovers spread over a
six acre site in Edgbaston with over 130 species of animals.
There is also a Lilliput Village for the younger children.
Whilst they do charge an entrance fee for adults, children are
admitted free of charge.
The Custard Factory
The
original home of Bird's Custard, the Custard Factory is now home
to artists, dancers and musicians and features a lake side cafe
and exhibitions.
Gas Street Basin
Located
just off Broad Street the basin is the old central hub of
Birmingham's Canal System and is now full of colourful barges.
From here you can take a canalside stroll to Brindley Place or
The Mailbox.
Millenium Point
Millennium Point is Birmingham’s flagship Millennium project,
built to celebrate and encourage science, technology and
education in Birmingham and the wider region. Millennium Point
is also home to two pioneering education initiatives for school
aged children - the University of the First Age and the Young
People's Parliament. The public areas of Millennium Point,
including the stunning central hub with its soaring atrium, are
open free of charge every day except 25 December.
The Shakespeare Express and Railway Museum
Vintage Trains is one of the U.K.'s
leading operators of main line steam train excursions abd during
the summer operates a popular Sundays only steam train service
between Birmingham and Stratford-upon-Avon. The
Birmingham Railway Museum is situated on the Warwick Road (A41)
in Tyseley.
Birmingham Central Library
This one of the biggest libraries in Europe.
NIGHTLIFE
Birmingham' night scene is buzzing - not surprising as it is
Europe’s youngest city and with more students than any other UK
city outside London, Whether you are after the bustle of the
bars and clubs in Broad Street, some of the city’s hippest
nightspots in the Mailbox or the newest restaurants in Brindley
Place, from old school hip hop through to jazz and Cuban funk
all tastes are catered for.
DINING OUT
An ethnically diverse city, it's no surprise that whatever
your taste in food, you will find it here. Birmingham lays claim
to be England's curry capital - no surprise as it is the
birthplace of the balti and there is even a balti trail.
NEAR BIRMINGHAM
Dudley Zoo and Castle
This
well known British Zoo has breathtaking views over the Black
Country. The zoo is built within the grounds of Dudley Castle
which was
was built
by the Normans. The infamous John Dudley rebuilt the castle in
the Renaissance style only to be beheaded by Queen Mary for
trying to put Lady Jane Grey on the throne of England.
National Motorcycle Museum
The National Motorcycle Museum is located in Solihull, near
Birmingham, Coventry and is recognised as the finest and largest
motorbike collection in the world.
National Exhibition Centre
Now 25 years
old the NEC is the largest exhibition centre in Europe. It was
opened in 1976 by HM The Queen and the first exhibition was the
Spring Fair. It has staged over 2000 major exhibitions and is
world renowned having attracted over 70 million visitors since
it was built. There are 20 exhibition halls with a total space
of 190,000 square metres.
Walsall Arboretum
Walsall Arboretum is a magnificent park near the centre of
Walsall. It has quite extensive grounds and a large and popular
children's play area and for six weeks every year it
stages a state of the art light and laser show.
West Midlands Safari Park
This
extensive Safari and Leisure Park spans 200 acres. It is
targeted at family entertainment and visitors get the chance to
drive through the Safari Park and then spend time at the Park's
amusements. From Birmingham: Take the main Hagley Road to
the Quinton Expressway A456 through Hagley and Blakedown
following Safari Park signs through Kidderminster to Bewdley.
Drayton Manor Park and Zoo
One of Britain's leading family theme parks with the added
attraction of a zoo.
r and the finest names in everything from fashion to
food. Newcastle is a lively, bright city with a history going
back 2,000 years and where the locals - known as Geordies -
renowned for their friendliness.
Situated in the north east of England and resting on the
banks of the River Tyne, it is surrounded by the scenic beauty
of Northumbria and is an ideal place to tour the local coastline
with its unspoiled sandy beaches. Inland you will find Hadrian's
Wall and many old castles dotted across the landscape.
The city itself is vibrant with exciting shops, choice
restaurants, traditional pubs and a lively night life.
THE QUAYSIDE
Located in North East England, Newcastle (on the north bank
of the River Tyne) and Gateshead (on the south bank) have been
transformed into a single visitor destination called
NewcastleGateshead. In the last decade
NewcastleGateshead has transformed itself into one of Europe‘s
most exciting places, a mix of the modern and historic
boasting superb shopping and a buzzing night life.
But it also has beautiful architecture including the
ancient city walls and castle. The quayside is perfect for a
leisurely lunch with waterfront bars and galleries. With a
year-long programme of events and festivals going on, Newcastle
is a perfect base for exploring the rest of North East England.
Or if you’re planning a holiday in Scotland, spend a few days
in NewcastleGateshead.
The Sage Gateshead is the latest addition to the growing
quayside area and this centre for music has rapidly established
itself as a sought after venue for musicians and singers from
across the globe.
TOURS OF NEWCASTLE
If you want a superb view of the city, visit the Castle
Keep which is open every day. Built by Henry II in 1168-1178 on
the site of the 'New Castle', built in 1080 by Robert Curthose
the building from which the city takes its name overlies Roman
fortification of Pons Aelius. There is a small museum within the
keep and the roof offers spectacular views of NewcastleGateshead.
You can take in Newcastle's riverside scenery with a a
river cruise. The Premier River Tyne Sightseeing Cruise Company
offers three hour quay-to-sea cruise or a two hour quayside to
countryside cruises taking you from past to present, from
maritime heritage to world renowned landmarks, such as the Tyne
Bridge, Gateshead Millennium Bridge, The Sage Gateshead and
Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art. Or take a trip on the
Newcastle sightseeing bus or do a walking tour.
MUSEUMS AND ARTS
Newcastle has a lively arts scene with a wide range of arts
centres and venues offering dance, theatre, exhibitions, film,
music and much more. Top comedy acts can be found at The Hyene
club in Leazes Lane.
Dance City is the National Dance Agency for the North East
of England. A new home for Dance City opened in the autumn of
2005. The purpose built dance centre boasts five dance studios,
a 250 seat performance space, a devoted dance library resource
centre, 5 offices for independent dance companies, 2 alternative
treatment rooms, a Pilates stud
Most
of the museums in Newcastle are free of charge. Highlights
include the Hancock Museum which is the North's premier natural
history museum (The Hancock is currently closed for re-furbishment
due to re-open 2009), and the Discovery Museum which is
Newcastle's largest museum. It is a good attraction for learning
about the history of Newcastle from Roman times onwards
and incorporates Science Maze and Waterworks which is great fun
for children. For anyone interested in archaeology the Museum of
Antiquitiesis the
principal museum in the North East and the Shefton Museum
boasts a Greek collection.
ENTERTAINMENT AND NIGHT LIFE
The nightlife in Newcastle is buzzing. Head to the
quay if your taste is young and loud, the Bigg Market for
excitement and noise and Jesmond if you fancy things a little
less frantic although there are still plenty of traditional pubs
where you can still enjoy a hand pulled pint.
For cinema-goers, Newcastle has a number of top choice
cinemas to choose from and has three casinos.
