Birmingham: Some of my favourite architecture from this city

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As I mentioned earlier in my last blog, I visited Birmingham around two or three days after a long lockdown so there were still many places closed. With this, I found myself wondering around this unfamiliar city and discovering some of its amazing architecture.

Birmingham City Council House

This is Birmingham City Council House one of the largest buildings in the city, its that large it has its own postcode.

Birmingham town hall and Chamberlain Memorial

The building that looks like the Pantheon in Rome is actually Birmingham’s town hall. The Chamberlain Memorial fountain is a monument to Joseph Chamberlain, a former buissness man, Mayor and member of parliament.

These two sit in Chamberlain square which is in the heart of Birmingham. Dare I say it! It felt like being in a little part of Rome, especially because we actually had some sun this day. The architecture in this square in incredible.

St Martin Parish Church

Both from a different era, but the contrast of the two is strikingly beautiful.

This is St Martin parish Church of the city of Birmingham. The church is a replacement of a 13th century church and was built in 1873.

The great British fudge Company is a family run buisness set up in 2017 that provides a unique fudge experience. They launched the fudge bus in 2018.

Hall of Memory

The hall of memory is a war memorial dedicated to 12, 320 Birmingham citizens who died in world war I

Sep 20

Birmingham uk: A stroll down Gas Street Basin

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It’s weird to think that before April of this year I had never even considered visiting Birmingham before. Like many others, I always thought of Birmingham as being an industrial city that I wasn’t really bothered about visiting. Also I’m a little ashamed to admit, I didn’t even know it was the second largest city in England either🙈. I think it’s fair to say, like many others I also underrated this city.

Nevertheless, it was a case of escaping to anywhere. My city had been on lockdown for six months, and overseas travel was restricted well, forbidden for anyone who was not leaving for buisness. When I seen that I could get here on a £1.80 return ticket with National express I seized the opportunity to visit.

unfortunately I visited two days after lockdown so many things were still closed, but I still managed to find things to share with you.

The Mail Box

My first stop was the Mail box a shopping centre which used to be the royal mails largest sorting office in the country. It has now been transformed into a stylish place for entertainment such as an overnight stay , shopping, dining, pampering or to go and see a film. Not only this, but it also features a rooftop canal side that bings you out onto the canal.

Once you cross over the bridge, which the padlock people have began to padlock, you can walk along the canal and arrive at Gas Street Basin.

Gas Streer Basin

Gas Street Basin is a canal basin that connects the Birmingham and Worcester canals with the BCN Line. Gas Street basin is lined with trendy pubs, bars, restaurants and cafés, and where the narrow boats and barges are moored. Its definitely a case of old meets new where its old industrial past is embedded in its new cosmopolitan living.

If you decide to visit Birmingham do give Gas Street Basin a visit. It’s one of the most fundamental features in Birmingham, especially since it was once the nation’s central of the waterway networks, and today now one of the most charming parts of the city.

The Waterbus

Although there’s the option to take a stroll down the canal like myself, there is an option to take a waterbus.

The water bus runs every 30mins between 10.30 and 5pm and stops at most of the waterside locations such as Brindley Place, Sherborne Wharf, Gas Street Basin, King Edwards Wharf and the mailbox. It cost £4 for a 30 minute round trip or £1 per stop.

Thanks for stopping by

Until next time

Natalie x

Sep 13

Birmingham: England’s second largest city

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Hi all, welcome and thank you for coming back to the blog. It’s a new travel location! Over the next few blogs I will be sharing posts from my visit to this pleasantly surprising city. I hope you will enjoy what’s to come.

About Birmingham

Birmingham is situated in the West Midlands in England. It is one of the UK’S major cities and has the nickname of ‘City of a thousand trades’ due to its past central involvement of being one of the most manufacturing places in the world. You can still see some of the old warehouses and factories in and around the city, some which have been renovated into shopping centre’s, apartments and pubs etc.

Birmingham is the second largest city in the United Kingdom after London and is often one of the most overlooked and underrated cities in the UK. In fact, I have on several occasions heard people mistake other cities as being the second city.

It may well be overlooked, but this is a thriving metropolitan city and has a lot to offer such as its spectacular canal networks, parentage of food and cuisine, Art, famous rock music, night-life, cultural intent and more.

Here are some incredible facts about this city

More canals than Venice

Yes that’s right! Myth- Kind of! Birmingham does not have more canals than Venice, but it does have more miles of canals. Birmingham has 35miles of canals while Venice only has 26 miles of canals.

Largest public library in Europe

The library of Birmingham is the largest public library in Europe to date. Not only this, but it has the largest Shakespeare book collection in the world and also has a Victorian Shakespeare room.

Largest Christmas market in the UK

Not only does it have the largest Christmas market in the UK it’s one of the biggest in Europe. The only other two which are larger are Germany and Austria.

The second youngest city in Europe

It is the second youngest city in Europe after Bradford. It has the largest fraction of under 25 year olds whereas Bradford has the largest fraction of under 16 year olds.

Curry capital of the UK

Curry houses started to appear here in the1960s and became considerably popular by the 1970s, it was at this point when the Balti dishes started to appear. It has been considered as the birthplace of the Balti however, it has been hugely debated that the Balti was invented in Pakistan. Either way it is considered as the curry capital of the UK with many curry and Balti houses, and not forgetting their famous Balti Triangle wich consists of over 50 Balti houses.

Inspiration for the popular tv show (Peaky Blinders)

The show tells the stories of the real peaky blinders gang who originated from Birmingham and operated on the streets here. Now there are many inspired peaky blinders themed experiences to enjoy in the city.

Thank you for reading

Until next time

stay blessed 🙏🏾

Natalie x