Birmingham Things to Do Tips by J_P_B

Symphony Hall Symphony Hall Review

It's quite a piece of engineering, Birmingham's Symphony Hall. The can alter the height of the roof to change the acoustics depending on what is being done in there. Furthermore, is is constructed on a floating base with acoustic curtains and a reverberation chamber. The effect is breathtaking sound. They have all sorts of music here, from Rock Concerts to the CBSO. Even the Shaolin Monks performed here! I graduated here too.

Directions: Inside the ICC, between Centenary Square and Brindley Place.

Birmingham's Rebirth Brindley Place Review

It may come as something of a shock to you the Brindley Place used to be a large industrial waste ground. Years of manufacturing decline has led to dirty canals, disused warehouses and unmanned production lines. Then some bright spark came up with the idea of flattening it and starting again and we are eternally grateful that they did! What was once something that Birmingham was ashamed of, is now one of our proudest achievements and the driving force behind the regeneration of our city. There is a lot to see and do here, from people watching to eating some of the finest cuisine on offer. You can go to the Ikon Gallery or the Sea Life Centre, or catch a canal cruise. It is somewhere you must visit if you come to Birmingham. You won't have a proper idea of the city until you have been.

Chamberlain's Grand Square Centenary Square Review

A grand open space right at the heart of the city, this is where Birmingham comes to party. Every New Year's Eve, there is a celebration held here and also at certain times of the year, e.g. St. Patrick's day. It is where our hall of memory is located too. There are a few public works of art here, although recently some teenage vandals set light to the monument known as "Forward". Whilst this was an absolutely outrageous act, most Brummies were quite happy to see the back of it, as it was more of a condescending statement on Birmingham's industrial heritage than anything to be proud of. We are hoping that the council doesn't try to commision yet more guff from the same artist to replace it, but that's a different story.

International Convention Centre (ICC) International Convention Centre (ICC) Review

Many visitors to Birmingham only come because of the ICC - it's hosted NATO, the G8 summit and countless global conventions. It was opened in 1991 and contains 7 halls and Symphony Hall. The main central trhoughfare is a good way of getting between Centenary Square and Brindley Place. It has a cafeteria and an Art Gallery in it too.

Directions: Sandwiched between Centenary Square and Brindley Place - it is extremely well signposted!

Website: http://www.theicc.co.uk/

New Street

A pleasant leafy boulevard in the centre of the city, with many shops ranging from book stores to chemists, clothes shops to jewellers. Worth a wander for window shopping, or if you are unsure where to find something, it's not a bad place to start. They are building a visitors centre here at the moment, so it will also be good to go to for tourist information soon. Other than that, you can people watch and there are usually street performers busking, performing tricks and the like too. You also get religious people yelling at the top of their voices quotes from the Bible and Koran, as well as all sorts of political activists asking for your signature on petitions to stop everything from fox hunting to nuclear weapons. It's a great place to experience the whole melting pot known as Birmingham.

Moor Street Station Bull Ring Review

Another part of the regeneration project in the Bull Ring area of Birmingham. It's been restored to its Victorian glory days. they've done a fantastic job. It's such a pity that we're going to have to wait a few more years before trains can once again grace this truly beautiful station.

Website: http://www.bullring.co.uk/

Birmingham Old & New Bull Ring Review

Two of Birmingham's landmarks, St. Martin's Church and the new Selfridges Building. They're side by side - a really odd juxtaposition, but quite fantastic. St. Martin's has been cleaned as part of the redevelopment of the Bull Ring and the Selfridges building... what can I say? It looks like something has landed from out of space. Quite fantastic! Apparently it is meant to resemble a sequin dress.

Website: http://www.bullring.co.uk/

Cadbury World Cadbury World Review

If you're a chocoholic, this is the place for you. Home of Cadbury's Chocolate. Involves a tour and chocolate shop. Not for those on a diet.

Directions: Bournville

Website: http://www.cadburyworld.co.uk

Canals Canals Review

Birmingham has a lot of canals - loads of them in fact. In Victorian Times, canals were the main backbone of the British transport network and Birmingham being very important for industry (and right in between London and Manchester) was very well connected. Up until not that long ago, they were in a bit of a state, but about 15 years ago, they were cleaned up considerably. You can take tours on the canals or just walk along them. More and more people are living on canal barges in Birmingham as house prices rocket. It's a much more affordable way of living in the city centre.

It's quite a pleasant way to while away a summer day. I would suggest walking from Brindley place (by the convention centre) to the Mailbox and maybe getting a cocktail in Santa Fe whilst sitting outside people watching. It's easy to forget your in a city of a million people sometimes...

Directions: Gas Street Basin

Sarehole Mill and Moseley Bog

Forget New Zealand. Peter Jackson may have filmed Lord Of The Rings over there, but Sarehole Mill is what Tolkein based the shire on. He used to live over the road from it and when he died, he left a load of money to restore it. Moseley Bog is adjacent to it and also influenced Tolkein a great deal.

Directions: On the border of Hall Green and Moseley. The number 1 bus and the number 11 bus go right past it.