Birmingham

Birmingham, in the West Midlands, is Britain's second-largest city. Known in the Victorian era as the "City of a Thousand Trades" and the "Workshop of the World", Brum as locals call the city, is enjoying a 21st-century resurgence as a great shopping and cultural destination. The city will host the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Birmingham (the h is silent) was at the heart of the UK's industrial revolution, and its wealth was built upon the multitude of trades that were spawned. This led to a massive canal network, with more miles of canals than Venice or Amsterdam (though they're very different types of canal).

Much of the city centre was destroyed during the Blitz, and the replacement buildings added little to the city. However, since the 1990s, Birmingham has been undergoing a radical change and many of the post war buildings have been replaced. The majority of the city centre is now pedestrianised, and the canals cleaned up to make for attractive walkways. Locals credit the City Council for the transformation, as the city retains its industrial heritage while now appearing modern and forward looking.

The city's notable associations are as diverse as HP Sauce, Tony Hancock, Cadbury's chocolate, the Lunar Society (whose members included James Watt and Matthew Boulton), Black Sabbath, UB40, Jasper Carrot and the Spitfire and the Mini (car, not skirt).

Birmingham has many literary associations - not only JRR Tolkien, but also Washington Irving, who wrote Rip Van Winkle while lodging here with his sister's family, and Conan Doyle, who bought a violin in Sherlock Street while a medical student in Birmingham. The authors Jim Crace, Judith Cutler and David Lodge are also residents.

The nearby locations of Shropshire, Warwick, and Stratford-Upon-Avon provide more of the stereotypical images of "olde" England. However, Birmingham has many of its own tourist attractions, has an extremely lively night life, and the shopping is arguably one of the best outside of London.

The City of Birmingham metropolitan borough as it stands today encompasses a very large array of former towns and villages surrounding the original town of Birmingham, that have been incorporated into it over the years. As a result, the City Council is the largest regional body in the EU, with 120 councillors representing 10 so-called constituencies (districts), further divided into 40 wards. Therefore, even if a point of interest is officially in Birmingham, it can be located quite far away from the actual city centre, in what can appear a separate small town or even countryside. Addresses are often given including the name of the suburb, to help locate them. Do not assume than any place with a Birmingham address is easily accessible once you are in the city.

Some of the more known districts and wards of Birmingham include Aston (home to the Aston Hall and Aston Villa football team) Edgbaston (where the main campus of University of Birmingham is located), Longbridge (with the MG factory) and Selly Oak (secondary campus and student town). The city centre of Birmingham officially falls into the ward of Ladywood, which itself has little to do with the actual centre.

Other areas in the metropolitan borough include Perry Barr, Sutton Coldfield and Moseley.

The centre of Birmingham is confined by a dual-carriageway ringroad officially called the A4540, also called the Middle Ring Road. The former Inner Ring Road, or A4400, was viewed as an urban planning failure and parts of it were dismantled and redeveloped. The A38 runs across the city centre, partially underground. The very central point of Birmingham is Victoria Square. The main railway hub is New Street station, next to the huge Bullring shopping centre, which is also an orientation beacon and leads up all the way to another railway station called Moor Street.

Birmingham city centre can be divided into several areas of different characteristics:

• Core City Centre - extends northwestwards of the New Street station, inside the confines of the A38 and includes much of the surviving pre-war historic buildings of Birmingham, a number of important institutions and the historically prime addresses such as New Street or Colmore Row
• Westside - extends southwest of New Street and beyond the former Inner Ringroad, and includes much of the remaining canals in central Birmingham. Alongside them much new development took place, including civic buildings such as the International Congress Centre or Library of Birmingham, and multi-functional commercial projects such as Brindleyplace or The Mailbox
• Eastside - the area southeastwards of the New Street station, or more precisely behind the nearby Moor Street station. This formerly industrial area which included the long-disused Curzon Station as well now contains large swathes of unused, cleared land that undergoes redevelopment as parts of large urban planning projects. Some of them are already finished, but many are still to commence, giving this part of town a modern yet unfinished appearance
• Southside - the part southeast of New Street station retains a more traditional ambiance with small buildings along narrow streets. Parts of it are occupied by Birmingham's Gay Village and Chinese Quarter.
• Deritend and Digbeth - the area directly eastwards of the Bullring centre contains much industrial and pre-industrial architectural heritage, and it has become a hub for everything creative and a rather pleasant area, which also includes Birmingham's Irish Quarter.
• Jewellery Quarter - true to its name, workshops in the quarter still produce 40% of the UK's jewellery, and includes the country's largest Assay Office, and several museums. As such, it retained its 19th-century appearance lost by other industrial parts of Birmingham and became a tourist attraction itself.
• Gun Quarter - north of Jewellery Quarter and for decades known for firearms manufacturing, but now not seeing much commercial or municipal interest and of little interest to tourists as well.
• Moseley is a suburb. Much of Moseley Village dates from Victorian times and is a conservation area. There is also a dovecote which pre-dates this at Moseley Hall hospital, on Alcester Road. It is occasionally open to the public on certain Sundays during the year. Take the number 50 bus from the city centre - it goes straight down Moseley Road (A435) to Moseley village. The journey takes about 15 minutes. Alternatively, take the number 1 or 35 buses which stop by Cannon Hill Park Gooch Street

Core City Centre - extends northwestwards of the New Street station, inside the confines of the A38 and includes much of the surviving pre-war historic buildings of Birmingham, a number of important institutions and the historically prime addresses such as New Street or Colmore Row

Westside - extends southwest of New Street and beyond the former Inner Ringroad, and includes much of the remaining canals in central Birmingham. Alongside them much new development took place, including civic buildings such as the International Congress Centre or Library of Birmingham, and multi-functional commercial projects such as Brindleyplace or The Mailbox

Eastside - the area southeastwards of the New Street station, or more precisely behind the nearby Moor Street station. This formerly industrial area which included the long-disused Curzon Station as well now contains large swathes of unused, cleared land that undergoes redevelopment as parts of large urban planning projects. Some of them are already finished, but many are still to commence, giving this part of town a modern yet unfinished appearance

Southside - the part southeast of New Street station retains a more traditional ambiance with small buildings along narrow streets. Parts of it are occupied by Birmingham's Gay Village and Chinese Quarter.

Deritend and Digbeth - the area directly eastwards of the Bullring centre contains much industrial and pre-industrial architectural heritage, and it has become a hub for everything creative and a rather pleasant area, which also includes Birmingham's Irish Quarter.

Jewellery Quarter - true to its name, workshops in the quarter still produce 40% of the UK's jewellery, and includes the country's largest Assay Office, and several museums. As such, it retained its 19th-century appearance lost by other industrial parts of Birmingham and became a tourist attraction itself.

Gun Quarter - north of Jewellery Quarter and for decades known for firearms manufacturing, but now not seeing much commercial or municipal interest and of little interest to tourists as well.

Moseley is a suburb. Much of Moseley Village dates from Victorian times and is a conservation area. There is also a dovecote which pre-dates this at Moseley Hall hospital, on Alcester Road. It is occasionally open to the public on certain Sundays during the year. Take the number 50 bus from the city centre - it goes straight down Moseley Road (A435) to Moseley village. The journey takes about 15 minutes. Alternatively, take the number 1 or 35 buses which stop by Cannon Hill Park Gooch Street

Birmingham doesn't have a reputation for being especially picturesque, but there is a lot of interesting architecture in the city centre that the shops and crowds sometimes obscure. For such a (relatively) large population centre, the countryside (in the form of country parks such as the Lickey Hills, Waseley Hills, etc.) is surprisingly close.

For a place with a strong industrial heritage, Birmingham does not have the large range of historical attractions you may expect, however, this is offset by the arts being extremely well-represented.

• Aston Hall, Trinity Rd, Aston (Train to Aston or Witton or #7 bus, +44 121 327-0062. Restored Jacobean mansion built between 1618 and 1635, containing period rooms and artwork. Cannon damage from the English Civil War is still visible. The Hall was visited by Arthur Conan Doyle and Washington Irving, inspiring the latter's 'Bracebridge Hall'. Aston Hall by Candlelight is a popular Christmas event that takes place every two years (even numbers) where the whole grounds are lit by candles for 17th-century festivities (fee charged). Closed when Aston Villa are playing at home. Admission to grounds is free. £8 (adults).
• Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TS (on the University of Birmingham campus, off Edgbaston Park Rd, train to University or #61, #62 or #63 bus, +44 121 414-7333. M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. Small gallery with an excellent eclectic permanent collection, including many pre-Raphaelites. Good Britain Guide gallery of the year 2004. Free (donations welcome).
• Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Chamberlain Square, B3 3DH (Central, +44 121 303-2834. M-Th Sa 10AM-5PM, F 10:30AM-5PM, Su 12:30PM-5PM. Large museum with some local history, several temporary exhibitions and large permanent collection including an extensive collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings. Home to part of the stunning Anglo-Saxon hoard, the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold metal work discovered in the UK in 2009. Includes the Gas Hall and Waterhall Gallery of Modern Art. Free (donations welcome).

• IKON Gallery, 1 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, B1 2HS (off Broad St, +44 121 248-0708. Tu-Su 11AM-6PM. Small gallery with two or three temporary modern and conceptual art installations. Excellent cafe (see below). Free (donations welcome).
• Lapworth Museum of Geology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TS (on the University of Birmingham campus, off Edgbaston Park Rd, train to University or #61, #62 or #63 bus. free.
• Sarehole Mill, Cole Bank Rd, Hall Green B13 OBD (* 4, #5, #6 #11 buses, +44 121 777-6612. Apr-Oct, Tu-Su 11:30AM-4PM (closed Mondays except Bank Holidays). Built in 1765, Sarehole Mill is a fine example of one of more than fifty water mills that existed in Birmingham at one time. Matthew Boulton used the Mill for making buttons and for metal rolling until he moved his operations to Soho in 1761. In the late 1890s Sarehole was the childhood haunt of Hobbit author J.R.R. Tolkien, and famously influenced 'The Shire' in The Lord of the Rings. See website for special events. Nearby is Moseley Bog (see 'Parks and nature', below) a woodland said to have inspired Fangorn Forest. Admission to the grounds is free. Adults £6.
• Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, 4, Brook Street (Off St. Paul's Square. Metro: St. Paul's Square. Independent art gallery; frequent temporary exhbitions and works for sale. Free entrance.
• Soho House, Soho Ave, Handsworth, B18 5LB (Located off Soho Rd, Buses: 74, 78 and 79, Metro: Benson Road (there is a steep uphill walk to the house), +44 121 554-9122. W, Th, firs Su. 11:30AM-4PM (plus some Bank Holidays & specal occasions). The elegant home of industrial pioneer Matthew Boulton, who lived at the house from 1766 to 1809. Here, he met with some of the most important scientists, engineers and thinkers of his time - the Lunar Society. Entry by guided tour only: 11.30am, 1pm and 2.30pm. Adult £7; concsession £5; child £3.
• Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum, Millennium Point, Curzon St (directions, +44 121 202-2222. Daily 10AM-5PM (last admission 4PM). Science museum with lots of hands-on activities, vehicles and industrial machines, however the activities all smell of their popularity. IMAX cinema (see Cinema section) in the same building. £6.95 (concessions £5, children £4.95. Family and IMAX combination tickets available).

• Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, 75-79 Vyse Street, Hockley, Birmingham B18 6HA, +44 121 554-3598. Tu-Sa 10:30AM-4PM (last admission one hour before), closed Sunday and Monday except Bank Holiday Mondays. Jewellery workshop abandoned in working condition, later reopened as a museum. Visits are by tour, lasting approximately one hour. Worth seeing, especially in the context of the wider, still working commercial Jewellery Quarter. Adults: £7.

• Birmingham Back to Backs, 55-63 Hurst Street/50-54 Inge Street, B5 4TE. Tours must be booked a few days in advance, usually open daily except M, 10AM (or Tu-Th 1PM) - 5PM. Last surviving set of these 19th-century cramped, working-class houses in Birmingham, restored and preserved by the National Trust. £8.55.

• The Coffin Works, 13-15 Fleet St, +44 121 233 4785. W-Su 10:45AM-3PM, last tour starts at 3PM. An industrial heritage museum in the Jewellery Quarter, dedicated to educating visitors about the social and industrial history and importance of the site which was in operation as a coffin furniture factory from 1894 to its closure in 1998. Ornaments made by the Newman Brothers decorated the coffins of Sir Winston Churchill, Joseph Chamberlain, and many others. Many of the historic rooms, among which the "stamp" room, can be viewed and visited. Guided tours are highly recommended and start at 1 pm, 2 pm and 3pm. £6.60 for adults, £4.40 for children, free under age of 5.
• Blakesley Hall, Blakesley Rd (take bus 97 and get off at Station Road bus stop, +44 121 348 8120. Tu-Su 11AM-4PM. One of the oldest buildings in Birmingham and a typical example of "black & white" Tudor architecture, constructed in 1590 by Richard Smalbroke as a timber-framed farmhouse. Many historic artefacts are on display in the museum, including authentic candlesticks and pewter goblets. Tours take place at 11:15AM, 12:15PM, 1:15PM and 2:15PM, and last approximately 45 minutes. The Gilbertstone, moved in local folklore by the Giant named Gilbert, is displayed in the grounds of the museum. Adults £7, students and elderly £5, children younger than 15 £3.

Aston Hall, Trinity Rd, Aston (Train to Aston or Witton or #7 bus, +44 121 327-0062. Restored Jacobean mansion built between 1618 and 1635, containing period rooms and artwork. Cannon damage from the English Civil War is still visible. The Hall was visited by Arthur Conan Doyle and Washington Irving, inspiring the latter's 'Bracebridge Hall'. Aston Hall by Candlelight is a popular Christmas event that takes place every two years (even numbers) where the whole grounds are lit by candles for 17th-century festivities (fee charged). Closed when Aston Villa are playing at home. Admission to grounds is free. £8 (adults).

Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TS (on the University of Birmingham campus, off Edgbaston Park Rd, train to University or #61, #62 or #63 bus, +44 121 414-7333. M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. Small gallery with an excellent eclectic permanent collection, including many pre-Raphaelites. Good Britain Guide gallery of the year 2004. Free (donations welcome).

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Chamberlain Square, B3 3DH (Central, +44 121 303-2834. M-Th Sa 10AM-5PM, F 10:30AM-5PM, Su 12:30PM-5PM. Large museum with some local history, several temporary exhibitions and large permanent collection including an extensive collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings. Home to part of the stunning Anglo-Saxon hoard, the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold metal work discovered in the UK in 2009. Includes the Gas Hall and Waterhall Gallery of Modern Art. Free (donations welcome).

IKON Gallery, 1 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, B1 2HS (off Broad St, +44 121 248-0708. Tu-Su 11AM-6PM. Small gallery with two or three temporary modern and conceptual art installations. Excellent cafe (see below). Free (donations welcome).

Lapworth Museum of Geology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TS (on the University of Birmingham campus, off Edgbaston Park Rd, train to University or #61, #62 or #63 bus. free.

Sarehole Mill, Cole Bank Rd, Hall Green B13 OBD (* 4, #5, #6 #11 buses, +44 121 777-6612. Apr-Oct, Tu-Su 11:30AM-4PM (closed Mondays except Bank Holidays). Built in 1765, Sarehole Mill is a fine example of one of more than fifty water mills that existed in Birmingham at one time. Matthew Boulton used the Mill for making buttons and for metal rolling until he moved his operations to Soho in 1761. In the late 1890s Sarehole was the childhood haunt of Hobbit author J.R.R. Tolkien, and famously influenced 'The Shire' in The Lord of the Rings. See website for special events. Nearby is Moseley Bog (see 'Parks and nature', below) a woodland said to have inspired Fangorn Forest. Admission to the grounds is free. Adults £6.

Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, 4, Brook Street (Off St. Paul's Square. Metro: St. Paul's Square. Independent art gallery; frequent temporary exhbitions and works for sale. Free entrance.

Soho House, Soho Ave, Handsworth, B18 5LB (Located off Soho Rd, Buses: 74, 78 and 79, Metro: Benson Road (there is a steep uphill walk to the house), +44 121 554-9122. W, Th, firs Su. 11:30AM-4PM (plus some Bank Holidays & specal occasions). The elegant home of industrial pioneer Matthew Boulton, who lived at the house from 1766 to 1809. Here, he met with some of the most important scientists, engineers and thinkers of his time - the Lunar Society. Entry by guided tour only: 11.30am, 1pm and 2.30pm. Adult £7; concsession £5; child £3.

Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum, Millennium Point, Curzon St (directions, +44 121 202-2222. Daily 10AM-5PM (last admission 4PM). Science museum with lots of hands-on activities, vehicles and industrial machines, however the activities all smell of their popularity. IMAX cinema (see Cinema section) in the same building. £6.95 (concessions £5, children £4.95. Family and IMAX combination tickets available).

Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, 75-79 Vyse Street, Hockley, Birmingham B18 6HA, +44 121 554-3598. Tu-Sa 10:30AM-4PM (last admission one hour before), closed Sunday and Monday except Bank Holiday Mondays. Jewellery workshop abandoned in working condition, later reopened as a museum. Visits are by tour, lasting approximately one hour. Worth seeing, especially in the context of the wider, still working commercial Jewellery Quarter. Adults: £7.

Birmingham Back to Backs, 55-63 Hurst Street/50-54 Inge Street, B5 4TE. Tours must be booked a few days in advance, usually open daily except M, 10AM (or Tu-Th 1PM) - 5PM. Last surviving set of these 19th-century cramped, working-class houses in Birmingham, restored and preserved by the National Trust. £8.55.

The Coffin Works, 13-15 Fleet St, +44 121 233 4785. W-Su 10:45AM-3PM, last tour starts at 3PM. An industrial heritage museum in the Jewellery Quarter, dedicated to educating visitors about the social and industrial history and importance of the site which was in operation as a coffin furniture factory from 1894 to its closure in 1998. Ornaments made by the Newman Brothers decorated the coffins of Sir Winston Churchill, Joseph Chamberlain, and many others. Many of the historic rooms, among which the "stamp" room, can be viewed and visited. Guided tours are highly recommended and start at 1 pm, 2 pm and 3pm. £6.60 for adults, £4.40 for children, free under age of 5.

Blakesley Hall, Blakesley Rd (take bus 97 and get off at Station Road bus stop, +44 121 348 8120. Tu-Su 11AM-4PM. One of the oldest buildings in Birmingham and a typical example of "black & white" Tudor architecture, constructed in 1590 by Richard Smalbroke as a timber-framed farmhouse. Many historic artefacts are on display in the museum, including authentic candlesticks and pewter goblets. Tours take place at 11:15AM, 12:15PM, 1:15PM and 2:15PM, and last approximately 45 minutes. The Gilbertstone, moved in local folklore by the Giant named Gilbert, is displayed in the grounds of the museum. Adults £7, students and elderly £5, children younger than 15 £3.

The West Midlands region has been the hub for automotive production and development ever since the invention of the motor car, and even today two car factories remain operational within the city limits of Birmingham, both offering factory tours. There is also a chocolate factory for some sweeter treats.

• Jaguar Castle Bromwich Assembly, Chester Road, Castle Vale, +44 24 7620-5716. The north of Birmingham hosts Jaguar's Castle Bromwich Assembly plant, which makes most Jaguar's models, and especially the high-end ones. Factory visits are available, and have to be pre-booked by specifically contacting the Visitors Centre by phone or email.
• Cadbury World, Linden Rd, Bournville, B30 2LU (train to Bournville, +44 845 450 3599. Opening times vary enormously but tend to be daily 10AM-4PM in the spring, summer and autumn. Huge chocolate factory south of the city centre. Tour includes the history of chocolate and the Cadbury company, plus a brief look at some of the factory floor. Some free chocolate, plus relatively cheap mis-shapes in the shop. £13.90 (concessions £10.50, children £10.10. Combined train and entry tickets available).
• Land Rover has its main assembly plant in nearby Solihull.

Jaguar Castle Bromwich Assembly, Chester Road, Castle Vale, +44 24 7620-5716. The north of Birmingham hosts Jaguar's Castle Bromwich Assembly plant, which makes most Jaguar's models, and especially the high-end ones. Factory visits are available, and have to be pre-booked by specifically contacting the Visitors Centre by phone or email.

Cadbury World, Linden Rd, Bournville, B30 2LU (train to Bournville, +44 845 450 3599. Opening times vary enormously but tend to be daily 10AM-4PM in the spring, summer and autumn. Huge chocolate factory south of the city centre. Tour includes the history of chocolate and the Cadbury company, plus a brief look at some of the factory floor. Some free chocolate, plus relatively cheap mis-shapes in the shop. £13.90 (concessions £10.50, children £10.10. Combined train and entry tickets available).

Land Rover has its main assembly plant in nearby [[Solihull]].

Birmingham's population is very diverse, and communities from just about any country in the world can be found somewhere. This is turn has led to numerous centres for all the world's major religions.

• Birmingham Cathedral, Colmore Row, +44 121 262-1840. M-F 7:30AM-6:30PM (5PM from late Jul to early Sep), Sa Su 8:30AM-5PM. Church of England cathedral, built between 1709 and 1715 and the centre of the Diocese of Birmingham. Grade 1 listed building in the UK, designed as a parish church in the Baroque style by Thomas Archer. Contains four spectacular pre-Raphaelite stained glass windows.
• Birmingham Peace Pagoda, Osler St, Ladywood, +44 121 455-0650. Situated in a remote residential corner of Birmingham, the gold-roofed pagoda is a sight to behold. The pagoda is designed as symbol of peace, compassion and the noble exemplary qualities of the Buddha.
• St Chad's Cathedral, St Chad's Queensway, +44 121 236-2251. M-F 8AM-5PM, Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 9AM-1PM. Catholic cathedral built in 1841 and designated a Minor Basilica in 1941. Contains the Shrine of St. Chad.

• St Martin in the Bull Ring, Bull Ring (between the shopping complex and the markets. Daily 10AM-5PM. St. Martin is the parish church of Birmingham, or "The Cathedral of the Bull Ring", as some would say. The first church was probably Norman, but was rebuilt in the 13th century. As it stands today, most of the church dates from 1875, though inside you can see the 1325 effigy of the Lord of the Manor Sir William de Bermingham. The church is Grade II* listed.
• St. Paul's Church, St. Paul's Square.
• St. Thomas' Church and Peace Gardens.

Birmingham Cathedral, Colmore Row, +44 121 262-1840. M-F 7:30AM-6:30PM (5PM from late Jul to early Sep), Sa Su 8:30AM-5PM. Church of England cathedral, built between 1709 and 1715 and the centre of the Diocese of Birmingham. Grade 1 listed building in the UK, designed as a parish church in the Baroque style by Thomas Archer. Contains four spectacular pre-Raphaelite stained glass windows.

Birmingham Peace Pagoda, Osler St, Ladywood, +44 121 455-0650. Situated in a remote residential corner of Birmingham, the gold-roofed pagoda is a sight to behold. The pagoda is designed as symbol of peace, compassion and the noble exemplary qualities of the Buddha.

St Chad's Cathedral, St Chad's Queensway, +44 121 236-2251. M-F 8AM-5PM, Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 9AM-1PM. Catholic cathedral built in 1841 and designated a Minor Basilica in 1941. Contains the Shrine of St. Chad.

St Martin in the Bull Ring, Bull Ring (between the shopping complex and the markets. Daily 10AM-5PM. St. Martin is the parish church of Birmingham, or "The Cathedral of the Bull Ring", as some would say. The first church was probably Norman, but was rebuilt in the 13th century. As it stands today, most of the church dates from 1875, though inside you can see the 1325 effigy of the Lord of the Manor Sir William de Bermingham. The church is Grade II* listed.

St. Paul's Church, St. Paul's Square.

St. Thomas' Church and Peace Gardens.

Birmingham holds a wealth of architectural heritage from different eras, including also buildings with no touristically viable function. Some of them are listed below.

• BT Tower, Lionel St. Completed in 1966, it is the tallest structure in Birmingham at 152 m, and serves solely as the support for some 80 transmission antennas mounted atop it. It has no viewing platform or other accessible floors at all, but it can serve as a landmark and orientation point as it is clearly visible from many parts of town. Its square profile sets it apart from many other similar structures in the world

• Library of Birmingham, Cambridge St / Centenary Square. M-F 8AM-8PM, Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 11AM-4PM. The new ziggurat-shaped library building at Centenary Square was opened in September 2013 to replace the very controversial brutalist Birmingham Central Library in Paradise Circus, which incidentally employs an inverted-ziggurat design and was demolished in 2016. It is the single largest public library in the UK and one of the largest in the whole of Europe. The project, which involved years of planning and preparation and a major architectural contest, was hailed as the cornerstone of Birmingham's urban revival. The building was designed by the Dutch firm Mecanoo architecten, and took four years to be completed. It includes an intricate facade decoration, despite the very simple form of the building, as well as a number of innovative sustainable solutions. To explore the building take the lift to the top (9th) floor to see the Shakespeare Memorial Room, a fine wooden panelled library, which used to be in the city's library built in 1882. There is also a viewing window to look over the city. There are outside garden spaces on the 7th and 3rd floors which give different city views. The four lower floors house the public library, laid out in an impressive style. Free.
• Bell Edison Telephone Building, 17 & 19 Newhall Street. A signature, Grade-I-listed, building for the red-brick-and-terracota Victorian style prevalent in the late 19th century in Birmingham, which lacked natural stone and battled sooting problems due to air pollution. It is also a symbol of modernisation of Birmingham, as it was built to house the Central Telephone Exchange for the city; the logos of the Bell-Edison company are still visible within the building. As the telephone exchange relocated many decades ago, the building now houses offices and a bar.
• The Old Crown, 188 High St, Deritend. The Old Crown lays claim to being the oldest building in Birmingham (allegedly standing there since 1368), and retains a timber-framed construction, rare to find in the city. Saved from demolition multiple times, it remains an operational pub until today.
• Curzon Street station. The Curzon Street station was the original main railway station of Birmingham, offering connections to London since 1838 and to Liverpool and Manchester since 1839. It was quickly overshadowed by the first Birmingham New Street station, built in 1854, and saw less and less traffic, becoming a goods station only in the 20th century, before being put completely out of use in 1996 with its tracks later dismantled. The only surviving remainder is one wall, and the original station entrance building, which is Grade I listed and quite elegant in form. As of 2019, it stands next to an open plot of land which is awaiting redevelopment as the terminus for the HS2 railway. The building is not open for visiting and only occasionally hosts arts events and such.
• Rotunda. The Rotunda is the only surviving part of the 1960s Bull Ring centre, devised as a 25-storey office building in a round shape, from which it derives its name. In many ways, it was a groundbreaking and daring engineering and architectural feat when it was constructed, and because of its significance it became Grade II listed. In the 2000s, as the Bullring centre was redeveloped, the Rotunda was thoroughly refurbished into a residential tower with 232 luxury apartments. Those on floors 19 and 20 are available for short term stays via Staying Cool, who operates them. The building is not accessible to the public.
• Hall of Memory, Centenary Square, Broad Street. M-Sa 10AM-4PM. A war memorial built in 1925 for the 12,320 Birmingham citizens killed in the First World War. free.

• Town Hall. A concert venue and meeting hall, known for its occasional lunchtime organ recitals.
• Council House. The seat of local government. Not open to the public, except for special events and council meetings.
• Singers Hill Synagogue.
• Birmingham School of Art, Margaret Street. Built in 1885 in High Victorian red brick style as a new seat for the Birmingham School of Art, the building retains its original function as its original occupier survived several educational institution mergers and is now the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design within Birmingham City University. The building itself is Grade I listed.
• Victoria Law Courts, Corporation Street. A prime example of Birmingham's red-brick-and-terracota architecture, covered not only with deep red terracota on the outside, but also with rich terracota decorations on the inside. Located in the grand Corporation Street among other buildings similar in style. First opened in 1891, it continues to house a court of law, the Birmingham Magistrates' Court.
• Methodist Central Hall, 196-224 Corporation Street. The hall was built in 1904 in a similar red-brick-and-terracota style to the Victoria Law Courts it faces. It is distinguished by its tall tower. It also retail premises at street level, some with original shop fronts. The building ceased to perfom its original function and has been converted into a very large night club. It is Grade II listed.
• Hudson's Coffee House, 122-124 Colmore Row. The former coffee house is a rare, Grade I listed, example of a wall-to-wall townhouse in the Arts & Crafts style. It was built to house offices of the Eagle Insurance Company in 1900.
• Red Palace, 1-7 Constitution Hill. A thin corner building in the red-brick-and-terracota style was devised to house industrial workshops, with incorporated machinery and infrastructure. The building, distinguished by its ornamental tower at the very corner, ended up housing consecutive ethnic restaurants, most recently Syrian.

BT Tower, Lionel St. Completed in 1966, it is the tallest structure in Birmingham at 152 m, and serves solely as the support for some 80 transmission antennas mounted atop it. It has no viewing platform or other accessible floors at all, but it can serve as a landmark and orientation point as it is clearly visible from many parts of town. Its square profile sets it apart from many other similar structures in the world

Library of Birmingham, Cambridge St / Centenary Square. M-F 8AM-8PM, Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 11AM-4PM. The new ziggurat-shaped library building at Centenary Square was opened in September 2013 to replace the very controversial brutalist Birmingham Central Library in Paradise Circus, which incidentally employs an inverted-ziggurat design and was demolished in 2016. It is the single largest public library in the UK and one of the largest in the whole of Europe. The project, which involved years of planning and preparation and a major architectural contest, was hailed as the cornerstone of Birmingham's urban revival. The building was designed by the Dutch firm Mecanoo architecten, and took four years to be completed. It includes an intricate facade decoration, despite the very simple form of the building, as well as a number of innovative sustainable solutions. To explore the building take the lift to the top (9th) floor to see the Shakespeare Memorial Room, a fine wooden panelled library, which used to be in the city's library built in 1882. There is also a viewing window to look over the city. There are outside garden spaces on the 7th and 3rd floors which give different city views. The four lower floors house the public library, laid out in an impressive style. Free.

Bell Edison Telephone Building, 17 & 19 Newhall Street. A signature, Grade-I-listed, building for the red-brick-and-terracota Victorian style prevalent in the late 19th century in Birmingham, which lacked natural stone and battled sooting problems due to air pollution. It is also a symbol of modernisation of Birmingham, as it was built to house the Central Telephone Exchange for the city; the logos of the Bell-Edison company are still visible within the building. As the telephone exchange relocated many decades ago, the building now houses offices and a bar.

The Old Crown, 188 High St, Deritend. The Old Crown lays claim to being the oldest building in Birmingham (allegedly standing there since 1368), and retains a timber-framed construction, rare to find in the city. Saved from demolition multiple times, it remains an operational pub until today.

Curzon Street station. The Curzon Street station was the original main railway station of Birmingham, offering connections to London since 1838 and to Liverpool and Manchester since 1839. It was quickly overshadowed by the first Birmingham New Street station, built in 1854, and saw less and less traffic, becoming a goods station only in the 20th century, before being put completely out of use in 1996 with its tracks later dismantled. The only surviving remainder is one wall, and the original station entrance building, which is Grade I listed and quite elegant in form. As of 2019, it stands next to an open plot of land which is awaiting redevelopment as the terminus for the HS2 railway. The building is not open for visiting and only occasionally hosts arts events and such.

Rotunda. The Rotunda is the only surviving part of the 1960s Bull Ring centre, devised as a 25-storey office building in a round shape, from which it derives its name. In many ways, it was a groundbreaking and daring engineering and architectural feat when it was constructed, and because of its significance it became Grade II listed. In the 2000s, as the Bullring centre was redeveloped, the Rotunda was thoroughly refurbished into a residential tower with 232 luxury apartments. Those on floors 19 and 20 are available for short term stays via Staying Cool, who operates them. The building is not accessible to the public.

Hall of Memory, Centenary Square, Broad Street. M-Sa 10AM-4PM. A war memorial built in 1925 for the 12,320 Birmingham citizens killed in the First World War. free.

Town Hall. A concert venue and meeting hall, known for its occasional lunchtime organ recitals.

Council House. The seat of local government. Not open to the public, except for special events and council meetings.

Singers Hill Synagogue.

Birmingham School of Art, Margaret Street. Built in 1885 in High Victorian red brick style as a new seat for the Birmingham School of Art, the building retains its original function as its original occupier survived several educational institution mergers and is now the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design within Birmingham City University. The building itself is Grade I listed.

Victoria Law Courts, Corporation Street. A prime example of Birmingham's red-brick-and-terracota architecture, covered not only with deep red terracota on the outside, but also with rich terracota decorations on the inside. Located in the grand Corporation Street among other buildings similar in style. First opened in 1891, it continues to house a court of law, the Birmingham Magistrates' Court.

Methodist Central Hall, 196-224 Corporation Street. The hall was built in 1904 in a similar red-brick-and-terracota style to the Victoria Law Courts it faces. It is distinguished by its tall tower. It also retail premises at street level, some with original shop fronts. The building ceased to perfom its original function and has been converted into a very large night club. It is Grade II listed.

Hudson's Coffee House, 122-124 Colmore Row. The former coffee house is a rare, Grade I listed, example of a wall-to-wall townhouse in the Arts & Crafts style. It was built to house offices of the Eagle Insurance Company in 1900.

Red Palace, 1-7 Constitution Hill. A thin corner building in the red-brick-and-terracota style was devised to house industrial workshops, with incorporated machinery and infrastructure. The building, distinguished by its ornamental tower at the very corner, ended up housing consecutive ethnic restaurants, most recently Syrian.

There are small parks and green spaces all over the city and suburbs, and the countryside is only about thirty minutes away in any direction. The country parks and nature reserves usually contain a wealth of information about local flora, fauna and conservation efforts.

• Birmingham Botanical Gardens & Glasshouses, Westbourne Rd, Edgbaston (* 22, #23, #24 or #29 bus, +44 121 454-1860. M-Sa 9AM-7PM, Su 10AM-7PM (closes at 5PM or dusk Oct-Mar). Large botanical gardens with a huge range of plants and workshops throughout the year. £6.10 (concessions £3.60, family tickets available).
• Birmingham Nature Centre, Pershore Rd, B5 7RL (* 45 or #47 bus, adjacent to Cannon Hill Park, +44 121 472-7775. Apr-Oct: daily 10AM-5PM; Nov-Mar: Sa Su 10AM-4PM. Six-acre centre with lots of animals and birds, including deer, otters, owls and two rare Red Pandas. £1.70 (concessions £1.10, children free).
• Cannon Hill Park, Pershore Rd (* 45 or #47 bus, +44 121 442-4226. Well-maintained park with flowerbeds, tennis, bowling and water features. Contains tea rooms and the Midlands Arts Centre. Free admission.
• Moseley Bog & Joy's Wood Nature Reserve, Wake Green Road, Moseley (Bus 2, 3, 3a, +44 121 454-1199. A small woodland area that is said to be the Inspiration for Fangorn Forest in the Lord of The Rings. The area is well looked after with a series of wooden platforms and walkways creating pathways to follow. A visit can also be linked in with Sarehole Mill (see above), another haunt of young Tolkien. Free.
• Cannon Hill Park. Take a walk around on the Moseley/Edgbaston border. The park has a boating lake and is home to the Midlands Arts Centre. This has a theatre, an 'art-house' cinema and year-round exhibitions.
• National Sea Life Centre, Brindleyplace, +44 121 643-6777, +44 121 633-4700 (info line). 10AM-6PM (last admission M-F 4PM, Sa Su 5PM). Large sea life centre with a multitude of aquatic animals, including piranhas, turtles, sea horses, rays and otters. Feeding demonstrations throughout the day. £9.95 (concessions £6.95, family tickets available).
• RSPB Sandwell Valley, 20 Tanhouse Ave, Great Barr, B43 5AG (Train to Hamstead; No 16 bus; or signposted from local roads, +44 121 357-7395. Tu-F 9AM-5PM, Sa Su 10AM-5PM (closes at dusk in winter). A bird reserve on the border with Sandwell which organises regular guided walks, talks and family activities. free entrance.
• Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield (train to Sutton Coldfield or #66A bus, +44 121 355-6370. Enormous (over 900 hectare) park including heathland, wetland, marshes, woodland and lakes. Designated an English Nature National Nature Reserve in 1997. Lots of activities on offer including golf, angling, cycling and bird watching. Free admission.
• Winterbourne House and Garden, 58 Edgbaston Park Road, Edgbaston, B15 2RT (on the University of Birmingham campus.
• Woodgate Valley Country Park, Bartley Green (* 23 bus, +44 121 421-7575. 450-acre meadow, hedgerow and woodland park containing Woodgate Valley Urban Farm and Hole Farm Trekking Centre. Best visited in spring and summer when there are hundred of wild flowers and butterflies. Free.
• Eastside City Park. More of a public square than a true park.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens & Glasshouses, Westbourne Rd, Edgbaston (* 22, #23, #24 or #29 bus, +44 121 454-1860. M-Sa 9AM-7PM, Su 10AM-7PM (closes at 5PM or dusk Oct-Mar). Large botanical gardens with a huge range of plants and workshops throughout the year. £6.10 (concessions £3.60, family tickets available).

Birmingham Nature Centre, Pershore Rd, B5 7RL (* 45 or #47 bus, adjacent to Cannon Hill Park, +44 121 472-7775. Apr-Oct: daily 10AM-5PM; Nov-Mar: Sa Su 10AM-4PM. Six-acre centre with lots of animals and birds, including deer, otters, owls and two rare Red Pandas. £1.70 (concessions £1.10, children free).

Cannon Hill Park, Pershore Rd (* 45 or #47 bus, +44 121 442-4226. Well-maintained park with flowerbeds, tennis, bowling and water features. Contains tea rooms and the Midlands Arts Centre. Free admission.

Moseley Bog & Joy's Wood Nature Reserve, Wake Green Road, Moseley (Bus 2, 3, 3a, +44 121 454-1199. A small woodland area that is said to be the Inspiration for Fangorn Forest in the Lord of The Rings. The area is well looked after with a series of wooden platforms and walkways creating pathways to follow. A visit can also be linked in with Sarehole Mill (see above), another haunt of young Tolkien. Free.

Cannon Hill Park. Take a walk around on the Moseley/Edgbaston border. The park has a boating lake and is home to the Midlands Arts Centre. This has a theatre, an 'art-house' cinema and year-round exhibitions.

National Sea Life Centre, Brindleyplace, +44 121 643-6777, +44 121 633-4700 (info line). 10AM-6PM (last admission M-F 4PM, Sa Su 5PM). Large sea life centre with a multitude of aquatic animals, including piranhas, turtles, sea horses, rays and otters. Feeding demonstrations throughout the day. £9.95 (concessions £6.95, family tickets available).

RSPB Sandwell Valley, 20 Tanhouse Ave, Great Barr, B43 5AG (Train to Hamstead; No 16 bus; or signposted from local roads, +44 121 357-7395. Tu-F 9AM-5PM, Sa Su 10AM-5PM (closes at dusk in winter). A bird reserve on the border with Sandwell which organises regular guided walks, talks and family activities. free entrance.

Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield (train to Sutton Coldfield or #66A bus, +44 121 355-6370. Enormous (over 900 hectare) park including heathland, wetland, marshes, woodland and lakes. Designated an English Nature National Nature Reserve in 1997. Lots of activities on offer including golf, angling, cycling and bird watching. Free admission.

Winterbourne House and Garden, 58 Edgbaston Park Road, Edgbaston, B15 2RT (on the University of Birmingham campus.

Woodgate Valley Country Park, Bartley Green (* 23 bus, +44 121 421-7575. 450-acre meadow, hedgerow and woodland park containing Woodgate Valley Urban Farm and Hole Farm Trekking Centre. Best visited in spring and summer when there are hundred of wild flowers and butterflies. Free.

Eastside City Park. More of a public square than a true park.

Birmingham hosts some of the largest events, exhibitions and conferences in the country, which may or may not be of interest to a visitor.

• National Exhibition Centre, Marston Green, Solihull (train to Birmingham International or #900 bus, +44 870 909 4133. A huge exhibition centre, staging more than 180 exhibitions each year in 21 halls totalling 200,000 m². Also has a 12,000-seat arena hosting national and international sporting and entertainment events. Free-£40 (price varies with event)..
• Arena Birmingham, King Edwards Rd., B1 2AA, +44 870 909 4133. A fairly large, modern arena hosting many national and international sporting and entertainment events. Prices vary with event and seating.
• International Convention Centre (ICC), Broad St, +44 121 200-2000. A modern convention centre sharing a building with Symphony Hall.
• The Custard Factory, Gibb Street. Self-styled "Birmingham's Creative Quarter" this eclectic venue plays host to various events, as well as club nights on weekends and some weekdays in what was an actual custard factory in its former life. On bigger nights the large pool at the centre of the venue is drained and turned into a dancefloor with a heated marquee over it.

National Exhibition Centre, Marston Green, Solihull (train to Birmingham International or #900 bus, +44 870 909 4133. A huge exhibition centre, staging more than 180 exhibitions each year in 21 halls totalling 200,000 m². Also has a 12,000-seat arena hosting national and international sporting and entertainment events. Free-£40 (price varies with event)..

Arena Birmingham, King Edwards Rd., B1 2AA, +44 870 909 4133. A fairly large, modern arena hosting many national and international sporting and entertainment events. Prices vary with event and seating.

International Convention Centre (ICC), Broad St, +44 121 200-2000. A modern convention centre sharing a building with Symphony Hall.

The Custard Factory, Gibb Street. Self-styled "Birmingham's Creative Quarter" this eclectic venue plays host to various events, as well as club nights on weekends and some weekdays in what was an actual custard factory in its former life. On bigger nights the large pool at the centre of the venue is drained and turned into a dancefloor with a heated marquee over it.

The live music scene in Birmingham is vibrant and varied, and something can be experienced just about any night of the week. Libraries, tourist information offices and music-related bars and shops will stock copies of The Fly or "Ryan's Gig Guide" free publications with exhaustive listings of every music event going on in the city and surrounding area.

• Symphony Hall, Broad St, +44 121 200-2000, +44 121 780-3333 (box office). Internationally renowned concert venue with two to four classical concerts per week. Also offers Sounds Interesting free pre-concert talks. £7.50-40 (price varies with seating. Some £5 tickets available 1 month in advance. Student standbys £3.50 from 10AM or 1PM on performance day).
• CBSO Centre, Berkley St (off Broad St), +44 121 616-6500, +44 121 780-3333 (ticket line). Modern rehearsal facilities for the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO). Concerts usually once a week, including Centre Stage intimate chamber music. £5-12.
• O2 Institute, 78 Digbeth, +44 121 633-8311, +44 870 907 0999 (ticket line). O2 Institute (formerly The Institute, HMV Institute, etc) is a new name. Focusing on alternative, pop and urban music, the venue has 3 stages, hosting gigs from local and touring bands. Also hosts regular club nights. Tickets £6-25 (price varies with band fame).
• O2 Academy Birmingham, 16-18 Horsefair, Bristol St, +44 121 622-8850, +44 905 020 3999 (info line). Relocated from its previous Dale End location, O2 Academy is a large music venue hosting many gigs from local and touring artists. The Venue has 3 separate arenas, O2 Academy, Academy 2 and Academy 3 and each venue may be open consecutively with up to 3 different gigs on some nights. The venue mainly focuses on alternative rock and indie. Weekend Gig tickets usually allow entry to the club night going on afterwards. £6-25 (price varies with band fame).

Symphony Hall, Broad St, +44 121 200-2000, +44 121 780-3333 (box office). Internationally renowned concert venue with two to four classical concerts per week. Also offers Sounds Interesting free pre-concert talks. £7.50-40 (price varies with seating. Some £5 tickets available 1 month in advance. Student standbys £3.50 from 10AM or 1PM on performance day).

CBSO Centre, Berkley St (off Broad St), +44 121 616-6500, +44 121 780-3333 (ticket line). Modern rehearsal facilities for the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO). Concerts usually once a week, including Centre Stage intimate chamber music. £5-12.

O2 Institute, 78 Digbeth, +44 121 633-8311, +44 870 907 0999 (ticket line). O2 Institute (formerly The Institute, HMV Institute, etc) is a new name. Focusing on alternative, pop and urban music, the venue has 3 stages, hosting gigs from local and touring bands. Also hosts regular club nights. Tickets £6-25 (price varies with band fame).

O2 Academy Birmingham, 16-18 Horsefair, Bristol St, +44 121 622-8850, +44 905 020 3999 (info line). Relocated from its previous Dale End location, O2 Academy is a large music venue hosting many gigs from local and touring artists. The Venue has 3 separate arenas, O2 Academy, Academy 2 and Academy 3 and each venue may be open consecutively with up to 3 different gigs on some nights. The venue mainly focuses on alternative rock and indie. Weekend Gig tickets usually allow entry to the club night going on afterwards. £6-25 (price varies with band fame).

In addition to the main venues mentioned below, there are several small theatres scattered around the city and the suburbs; pick up a What's On guide from a library or tourist information office for full listings.

• Alexandra Theatre, Station St., +44 870 607 7533. Edwardian theatre showing pre- and post-West End plays and musicals. £6-50 (price varies with seating).
• Birmingham Hippodrome, Hurst St, +44 121 870 730 1234. Large, refurbished theatre showing varied performing arts, including ballet, musicals, comedy, opera and drama. Home of the Patrick Centre for the Performing Arts and the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Preferred venue for the Welsh National Opera. £6-50 (price varies with seating. Concessions £3-5 off or £10-15 student & seniors (plus non-student/senior friend) standby 24 hours in advance. 3%-6% transaction fee if not paying by cash).
• Crescent Theatre, 20 Sheepcote St (off Broad St, +44 121 643-5858. Box office M-F 4:30PM-7PM, Sa noon-7PM. Independent local theatre company performing both old and modern plays. £7-12 (concessions £1-1.50 off).
• Midlands Arts Centre (MAC). See Cinema. £5-20.
• Old Rep Theatre, Station Street, +44 121 303-2323. Home of the Birmingham Stage Company, puts on both professional and amateur productions. £5-15.
• Repertory Theatre, Centenary Square, Broad Street, +44 121 236-4455. Well-established theatre putting on classical and modern plays. Supports new work through The Door. £5-15.
• Old Joint Stock Theatre, 4 Temple Row West. In a beautiful 1864 building that was built as a bank, this intimate (only 95 seats) theatre hosts guest performances, two resident companies, a Musical Theatre Group, and a regular Theatre Group. It is the main venue for the comedic Foghorn Improv. Downstairs is a pub in the preserved Victorian bank hall with a glass dome and lavish decorations.

Alexandra Theatre, Station St., +44 870 607 7533. Edwardian theatre showing pre- and post-West End plays and musicals. £6-50 (price varies with seating).

Birmingham Hippodrome, Hurst St, +44 121 870 730 1234. Large, refurbished theatre showing varied performing arts, including ballet, musicals, comedy, opera and drama. Home of the Patrick Centre for the Performing Arts and the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Preferred venue for the Welsh National Opera. £6-50 (price varies with seating. Concessions £3-5 off or £10-15 student & seniors (plus non-student/senior friend) standby 24 hours in advance. 3%-6% transaction fee if not paying by cash).

Crescent Theatre, 20 Sheepcote St (off Broad St, +44 121 643-5858. Box office M-F 4:30PM-7PM, Sa noon-7PM. Independent local theatre company performing both old and modern plays. £7-12 (concessions £1-1.50 off).

Midlands Arts Centre (MAC). See Cinema. £5-20.

Old Rep Theatre, Station Street, +44 121 303-2323. Home of the Birmingham Stage Company, puts on both professional and amateur productions. £5-15.

Repertory Theatre, Centenary Square, Broad Street, +44 121 236-4455. Well-established theatre putting on classical and modern plays. Supports new work through The Door. £5-15.

Old Joint Stock Theatre, 4 Temple Row West. In a beautiful 1864 building that was built as a bank, this intimate (only 95 seats) theatre hosts guest performances, two resident companies, a Musical Theatre Group, and a regular Theatre Group. It is the main venue for the comedic Foghorn Improv. Downstairs is a pub in the preserved Victorian bank hall with a glass dome and lavish decorations.

Birmingham's cinemas are quite reasonably priced due to stiff competition for the student market. Don't expect a huge range of "alternative" films, as even the independent places screen mainstream blockbusters to keep their revenues up.

• The Electric Cinema, 47-49 Station St, +44 121 643-7879. The oldest still-operating cinema building in the UK (opening in 1909), famous for its Art Deco interiors, home baking and cocktail bar. Features sofa seating, waiter service and the best in mainstream and independent films. Daily, doors open 30 minutes before the film starts. £6 (concessions £4, sofa seat £10).
• mac, Cannon Hill Park, Edgbaston/Moseley (* 1, #45 or #47 bus, +44 121 440-3838. M-Sa 9AM-11PM; Su 9AM-10:30PM. The mac, located in the leafy suburb of Edgbaston has a small but perfectly formed arthouse cinema, and a cafe, hosts art exhibitons, and is a concert and theatre venue. £6 (concessions £4.50).
• The Giant Screen, Millennium Point, Curzon St., +44 121 202-2222. Daily 10AM-5PM. Part of the Thinktank science museum. 2D and 3D films shown on an enormous (five story) screen. Some mainstream films, mainly documentaries. £9.60 (concessions £7.60, children under 16 £7.60, family and joint Thinktank tickets available).
• AMC, 220 Ladywood Middleway, Broadway Plaza, +44 870 755 5657. Daily 10AM-1AM. A large modern multiplex showing recent mainstream films. £5 (£3.50 concessions and before 6:30PM).
• Cineworld, 181 Broad St, +44 871 200 2000. Daily 10AM-1AM. A large modern multiplex showing recent mainstream films. £5.50 (£3.50 concessions and before 6:30PM, family tickets available).
• Odeon, New Street, +44 871 224 4007. Cinema showing mainstream films, near to Bullring shopping centre and New Street station. You can't really call it much of a multiplex. It is a 1930s building with very few screens and the seats are so close together your legs hurt after the advertisements. £5.20 (£4 before 5PM M-F).
• Vue, 29 Star City, +44 871 224 0240. Multiplex within the Star City entertainment complex north east of the town center (which also boasts restaurants, bars, nightclubs, bowling and a large casino). The cinema offers 24 screens, including 3 gold class screens with larger, more comfortable seats, at-seat service, free popcorn and a bar. £5.70-6.60 (£8-15 for gold class).

The Electric Cinema, 47-49 Station St, +44 121 643-7879. The oldest still-operating cinema building in the UK (opening in 1909), famous for its Art Deco interiors, home baking and cocktail bar. Features sofa seating, waiter service and the best in mainstream and independent films. Daily, doors open 30 minutes before the film starts. £6 (concessions £4, sofa seat £10).

mac, Cannon Hill Park, Edgbaston/Moseley (* 1, #45 or #47 bus, +44 121 440-3838. M-Sa 9AM-11PM; Su 9AM-10:30PM. The mac, located in the leafy suburb of Edgbaston has a small but perfectly formed arthouse cinema, and a cafe, hosts art exhibitons, and is a concert and theatre venue. £6 (concessions £4.50).

The Giant Screen, Millennium Point, Curzon St., +44 121 202-2222. Daily 10AM-5PM. Part of the Thinktank science museum. 2D and 3D films shown on an enormous (five story) screen. Some mainstream films, mainly documentaries. £9.60 (concessions £7.60, children under 16 £7.60, family and joint Thinktank tickets available).

AMC, 220 Ladywood Middleway, Broadway Plaza, +44 870 755 5657. Daily 10AM-1AM. A large modern multiplex showing recent mainstream films. £5 (£3.50 concessions and before 6:30PM).

Cineworld, 181 Broad St, +44 871 200 2000. Daily 10AM-1AM. A large modern multiplex showing recent mainstream films. £5.50 (£3.50 concessions and before 6:30PM, family tickets available).

Odeon, New Street, +44 871 224 4007. Cinema showing mainstream films, near to Bullring shopping centre and New Street station. You can't really call it much of a multiplex. It is a 1930s building with very few screens and the seats are so close together your legs hurt after the advertisements. £5.20 (£4 before 5PM M-F).

Vue, 29 Star City, +44 871 224 0240. Multiplex within the Star City entertainment complex north east of the town center (which also boasts restaurants, bars, nightclubs, bowling and a large casino). The cinema offers 24 screens, including 3 gold class screens with larger, more comfortable seats, at-seat service, free popcorn and a bar. £5.70-6.60 (£8-15 for gold class).

Council-run leisure centres are liberally scattered throughout Birmingham, typically offering swimming pools, sports courts, fields and exercise equipment, all available at much lower prices than you'd expect to pay at privately-run gyms. There's also plenty of golf courses, both municipal and private, across the city including the world famous Belfry complex.

• Watch football (i.e. Association football, or soccer): the Birmingham conurbation has professional three teams.
  • Aston Villa play at Villa Park, B6 6HE (Bus 7 or train from New Street to Witton, 200 yards from the stadium., +44 871 423-8100. Villa were promoted in 2019 and now play in the Premier League, the top tier of English football. Their 42,736-capacity stadium is 2 miles north of city centre.
  • Birmingham City play at St Andrews, B9 4NH (Train to Bordesley, +44 871 226-1875. City play in the Championship, the second tier of English football. Their 30,016 capacity stadium is one mile east of city centre. The women's team play in the Women's Super League, with home games at Solihull Moor.
  • West Bromwich Albion play at The Hawthorns. West Brom play in the Championship. Their stadium, capacity 26,000, is four miles northwest of Birmingham city centre.
• Watch cricket at Edgbaston Cricket Ground, B5 7QU, 0870 062 1902 (non-geographic number). Stadium of 25,000 capacity, home of Warwickshire County Cricket Club, one of the 18 "First Class Counties" comprising the first tier of English cricket. These county matches last 3-4 days, day tickets £6-£15, and you'll find few others there for a mid-week county match. Edgbaston frequently also hosts international (or "Test") matches, lasting up to 5 days, day tickets £20-£70. The stadium is about a mile south of city centre, walk along Pershore Rd (A441), or take bus 45 or 47.
• Alexander Stadium, Stadium Way, Perry Barr, B42 2LR, +44 121 344-4858. Alexander Stadium, situated in Perry Barr, is Birmingham's only large athletics stadium and plays host to international meets and trials to decide the English/British teams for major events as well as being the base for the Birchfield Harriers athletics club. The stadium's various sporting facilities are also open to public use. £1-2, capacity 7,000. Expansion is planned, in time for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
• Edgbaston Priory, Sir Harrys Rd, Edgbaston, B15 2UZ, +44 121 440 2492. Edgbaston Priory is the main tennis club in Birmingham, with 29 tennis courts, 10 squash courts, 2 swimming pools and a gym available to the public. Every June the club also hosts the DFS Classic, a woman's tennis tournament that acts as a warm-up for Wimbledon. DFS Classic tickets £8-20.
• The Belfry, Lichfield Rd, Sutton Coldfield, B76 9PR, 0870 900 0066 (non-geographic number). The Belfry Golf Club runs three courses just to the north east of Birmingham, including the world famous Brabazon course which has been used for the Ryder Cup and continues to play host to tournaments on the PGA European Tour. Green fees £25-140, tournament spectator tickets £7.50-20.
• Grand Prix Karting, Adderley Rd South, B8 1AD, +44 121 327-7700. Large go-karting centre just east of the city centre. £10-50.
• The Ackers, Golden Hillock Rd, Small Heath, B11 2PY, +44 121 772-5111. The Ackers is an outdoor activity centre offering a range of activities, ranging from kayaking and archery to rock climbing and dry slope skiing. Prices vary depending on activity. Skiing/snowboarding sessions £11 for one hour.
• Birmingham Speedway, Perry Barr Stadium, Aldridge Road, Perry Barr, B42 2ET, +44 870 840 7410. Open W 7:45PM. Premier League speedway racing
• Creation Skate Park, 582 Moseley Rd, +44 121 449 8000. skateboarding or BMX-ing

Watch football (i.e. Association football, or soccer): the Birmingham conurbation has professional three teams.

• Aston Villa play at Villa Park, B6 6HE (Bus 7 or train from New Street to Witton, 200 yards from the stadium., +44 871 423-8100. Villa were promoted in 2019 and now play in the Premier League, the top tier of English football. Their 42,736-capacity stadium is 2 miles north of city centre.
• Birmingham City play at St Andrews, B9 4NH (Train to Bordesley, +44 871 226-1875. City play in the Championship, the second tier of English football. Their 30,016 capacity stadium is one mile east of city centre. The women's team play in the Women's Super League, with home games at Solihull Moor.
• West Bromwich Albion play at The Hawthorns. West Brom play in the Championship. Their stadium, capacity 26,000, is four miles northwest of Birmingham city centre.

Watch football (i.e. Association football, or soccer): the Birmingham conurbation has professional three teams.

• Aston Villa play at Villa Park, B6 6HE (Bus 7 or train from New Street to Witton, 200 yards from the stadium., +44 871 423-8100. Villa were promoted in 2019 and now play in the Premier League, the top tier of English football. Their 42,736-capacity stadium is 2 miles north of city centre.
• Birmingham City play at St Andrews, B9 4NH (Train to Bordesley, +44 871 226-1875. City play in the Championship, the second tier of English football. Their 30,016 capacity stadium is one mile east of city centre. The women's team play in the Women's Super League, with home games at Solihull Moor.
• West Bromwich Albion play at The Hawthorns. West Brom play in the Championship. Their stadium, capacity 26,000, is four miles northwest of Birmingham city centre.

Watch football (i.e. Association football, or soccer): the Birmingham conurbation has professional three teams.

• Aston Villa play at Villa Park, B6 6HE (Bus 7 or train from New Street to Witton, 200 yards from the stadium., +44 871 423-8100. Villa were promoted in 2019 and now play in the Premier League, the top tier of English football. Their 42,736-capacity stadium is 2 miles north of city centre.
• Birmingham City play at St Andrews, B9 4NH (Train to Bordesley, +44 871 226-1875. City play in the Championship, the second tier of English football. Their 30,016 capacity stadium is one mile east of city centre. The women's team play in the Women's Super League, with home games at Solihull Moor.
• West Bromwich Albion play at The Hawthorns. West Brom play in the Championship. Their stadium, capacity 26,000, is four miles northwest of Birmingham city centre.

Watch cricket at Edgbaston Cricket Ground, B5 7QU, 0870 062 1902 (non-geographic number). Stadium of 25,000 capacity, home of Warwickshire County Cricket Club, one of the 18 "First Class Counties" comprising the first tier of English cricket. These county matches last 3-4 days, day tickets £6-£15, and you'll find few others there for a mid-week county match. Edgbaston frequently also hosts international (or "Test") matches, lasting up to 5 days, day tickets £20-£70. The stadium is about a mile south of city centre, walk along Pershore Rd (A441), or take bus 45 or 47.

Alexander Stadium, Stadium Way, Perry Barr, B42 2LR, +44 121 344-4858. Alexander Stadium, situated in Perry Barr, is Birmingham's only large athletics stadium and plays host to international meets and trials to decide the English/British teams for major events as well as being the base for the Birchfield Harriers athletics club. The stadium's various sporting facilities are also open to public use. £1-2, capacity 7,000. Expansion is planned, in time for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Edgbaston Priory, Sir Harrys Rd, Edgbaston, B15 2UZ, +44 121 440 2492. Edgbaston Priory is the main tennis club in Birmingham, with 29 tennis courts, 10 squash courts, 2 swimming pools and a gym available to the public. Every June the club also hosts the DFS Classic, a woman's tennis tournament that acts as a warm-up for Wimbledon. DFS Classic tickets £8-20.

The Belfry, Lichfield Rd, Sutton Coldfield, B76 9PR, 0870 900 0066 (non-geographic number). The Belfry Golf Club runs three courses just to the north east of Birmingham, including the world famous Brabazon course which has been used for the Ryder Cup and continues to play host to tournaments on the PGA European Tour. Green fees £25-140, tournament spectator tickets £7.50-20.

Grand Prix Karting, Adderley Rd South, B8 1AD, +44 121 327-7700. Large go-karting centre just east of the city centre. £10-50.

The Ackers, Golden Hillock Rd, Small Heath, B11 2PY, +44 121 772-5111. The Ackers is an outdoor activity centre offering a range of activities, ranging from kayaking and archery to rock climbing and dry slope skiing. Prices vary depending on activity. Skiing/snowboarding sessions £11 for one hour.

Birmingham Speedway, Perry Barr Stadium, Aldridge Road, Perry Barr, B42 2ET, +44 870 840 7410. Open W 7:45PM. Premier League speedway racing

Creation Skate Park, 582 Moseley Rd, +44 121 449 8000. skateboarding or BMX-ing

• Drayton Manor, B78 3TW, +44 870 872 5252. Located just outside Tamworth in Staffordshire, is the fourth most popular theme park in the UK, with 35 rides set in 280 acres of land as well as a 15 acre zoo. To get to the park during school holidays simply catch the special E22 bus in the mornings (typically just before 9 and 10) from Carrs Lane stop DK (near the Pavilions Shopping Centre). A return ticket should cost £10. Outside of school holidays you'll need to catch bus 110, which runs every half hour from Bull Street stop BF (near Snow Hill station) and get off at Fazeley. The return fare is £4. If you're unsure of where exactly the stop is (and it's easy to miss) ask the driver to signal you when you need to get off. Admission £18.95-20.95.

Drayton Manor, B78 3TW, +44 870 872 5252. Located just outside [[Tamworth (England)|Tamworth]] in [[Staffordshire]], is the fourth most popular theme park in the UK, with 35 rides set in 280 acres of land as well as a 15 acre zoo. To get to the park during school holidays simply catch the special E22 bus in the mornings (typically just before 9 and 10) from Carrs Lane stop DK (near the Pavilions Shopping Centre). A return ticket should cost £10. Outside of school holidays you'll need to catch bus 110, which runs every half hour from Bull Street stop BF (near Snow Hill station) and get off at Fazeley. The return fare is £4. If you're unsure of where exactly the stop is (and it's easy to miss) ask the driver to signal you when you need to get off. Admission £18.95-20.95.

Since the beginning of the 21st century Birmingham has developed enormously as a regional shopping centre, with the old Bull Ring complex (once a notorious 1960s eyesore) being demolished to make way for a large shopping centre that includes Selfridges.

The city and suburbs have the usual assortment of supermarkets, newsagents and corner shops. The city centre is especially well-served, with three Tesco, two Sainsbury's and one Co-op outlets.

• Bull Ring. A great place to pick up cheap food (including fresh fruit and veg).
• The Mailbox. Home to the region's only Harvey Nichols, as well as many other designer boutiques.
• Grand Central. Located directly above New Street Station. The Mall at the Grand Central features a large John Lewis Store and provides a fast link from the Debenhams side of the Bull Ring directly into New Street Station, with relatively little pedestrian traffic.
• Martineau Place. Martineau Place is a small shopping centre, which holds a Gap, H&M, O'Neill Store and Freespirit, as well as an obligatory Starbucks Coffee House.
• Great Western Arcade. A traditional shopping arcade built in 1875 over the Great Western railway line, which cut through the city. It has an ornate entrance on the Temple Row side, and a less impressive one from Colmore Row and a clock with carillion. There is a mixture of all kinds of shops, all pleasantly fitting within the late 19th-century theme with their decorations.
• Picadilly Arcade, New Street. A historic shopping arcade with painted plafonds and a potpourri of specialist premises right next to the New Street station.

Bull Ring. A great place to pick up cheap food (including fresh fruit and veg).

The Mailbox. Home to the region's only Harvey Nichols, as well as many other designer boutiques.

Grand Central. Located directly above New Street Station. The Mall at the Grand Central features a large John Lewis Store and provides a fast link from the Debenhams side of the Bull Ring directly into New Street Station, with relatively little pedestrian traffic.

Martineau Place. Martineau Place is a small shopping centre, which holds a Gap, H&M, O'Neill Store and Freespirit, as well as an obligatory Starbucks Coffee House.

Great Western Arcade. A traditional shopping arcade built in 1875 over the Great Western railway line, which cut through the city. It has an ornate entrance on the Temple Row side, and a less impressive one from Colmore Row and a clock with carillion. There is a mixture of all kinds of shops, all pleasantly fitting within the late 19th-century theme with their decorations.

Picadilly Arcade, New Street. A historic shopping arcade with painted plafonds and a potpourri of specialist premises right next to the New Street station.

The principal shopping streets are New Street, High Street and Corporation Street. All include the usual assortment of high street chain-stores and discount outlets. Birmingham's High Street has become run down as of late, holding mainly discount stores, due to the attraction of the Bull Ring to larger name stores. However, New Street, going towards Victoria Square has many upmarket stores.

• Bull Ring Markets, The Bull Ring, +44 121 303-0300. Indoor Market: M-Sa 9AM-5:30PM, Rag Market: Tu Th-Sa 9AM-5PM, Open Market: Tu-Sa 9AM-5PM. The markets comprise the original trading centre that Birmingham was built upon. There are hundreds of stalls, and you'll be able to get everything from food to underwear to gaffa tape relatively cheaply.
• New Street Farmers' Market, New Street (in the City Centre. The market is held on the first and third Wednesday of every month, plus the second Wednesday in December. Other such markets are held in the suburbs of Moseley and Sutton Coldfield.
• The Frankfurt Christmas Market. Every Nov/Dec, the city centre hosts this unique Christmas market which is the largest such market outside of Germany and Austria.

Bull Ring Markets, The Bull Ring, +44 121 303-0300. Indoor Market: M-Sa 9AM-5:30PM, Rag Market: Tu Th-Sa 9AM-5PM, Open Market: Tu-Sa 9AM-5PM. The markets comprise the original trading centre that Birmingham was built upon. There are hundreds of stalls, and you'll be able to get everything from food to underwear to gaffa tape relatively cheaply.

New Street Farmers' Market, New Street (in the City Centre. The market is held on the first and third Wednesday of every month, plus the second Wednesday in December. Other such markets are held in the suburbs of Moseley and Sutton Coldfield.

The Frankfurt Christmas Market. Every Nov/Dec, the city centre hosts this unique Christmas market which is the largest such market outside of Germany and Austria.

• Nostalgia & Comics, 14-16 Smallbrook Queensway, +44 121 643-0143. M-W 9:30AM–5:30PM, Th-Sa 9AM-6PM, Su noon-4PM. Comics, graphic novels, manga and the usual alternative oddities. Ideal if you want to catch up on your favourite series while on the road.
• Oasis, 112-114 Corporation St, +44 121 233-4488. M-Sa 10AM-5PM. A large and intertwining collection of several small retailers over four floors, specialising in goth and alternative clothing and accessories.
• The Jewellery Quarter. To the north of the city centre, specialises in jewellery and contains many small workshops and retailers.
• Day In, The Arcadian Centre, +44 121 622 6182. Chinese supermarket with a wide range of Asian foods.
• One Earth Shop, 54 Allinson St, Digbeth, +44 121 632-6909. M-Sa 10AM-5PM. Specialty vegan wholefoods and other ethical essentials.

Nostalgia & Comics, 14-16 Smallbrook Queensway, +44 121 643-0143. M-W 9:30AM–5:30PM, Th-Sa 9AM-6PM, Su noon-4PM. Comics, graphic novels, manga and the usual alternative oddities. Ideal if you want to catch up on your favourite series while on the road.

Oasis, 112-114 Corporation St, +44 121 233-4488. M-Sa 10AM-5PM. A large and intertwining collection of several small retailers over four floors, specialising in goth and alternative clothing and accessories.

The Jewellery Quarter. To the north of the city centre, specialises in jewellery and contains many small workshops and retailers.

Day In, The Arcadian Centre, +44 121 622 6182. Chinese supermarket with a wide range of Asian foods.

One Earth Shop, 54 Allinson St, Digbeth, +44 121 632-6909. M-Sa 10AM-5PM. Specialty vegan wholefoods and other ethical essentials.

• Farmer's Market. 4th Saturday of every month. There is a selection of farm produce, but many stalls selling all manner of local foodstuffs (pies, jam, deli foods, etc.). It was a finalist in the best farmer's market in the UK competition.
• Moseley Arts Market. 4th Saturday of the month, March - December.. Specialist arts and crafts from the best local designers, makers and artisans
• Woodbridge Gallery, 47 Woodbridge Road, +44 121 449 5581. is a small gallery in a someone's back-yard! It's only open for specific exhibitions which last a few days at a time. These usually display work by local artists. There is no admission charge.
• Nima Delicatessan, 103 Alcester Road, +44 121 442 4205. A well-stocked deli, selling cooked meats, cheese, coffee and a wide selection of ethnic and organic foods and ingredients.

Farmer's Market. 4th Saturday of every month. There is a selection of farm produce, but many stalls selling all manner of local foodstuffs (pies, jam, deli foods, etc.). It was a finalist in the best farmer's market in the UK competition.

Moseley Arts Market. 4th Saturday of the month, March - December.. Specialist arts and crafts from the best local designers, makers and artisans

Woodbridge Gallery, 47 Woodbridge Road, +44 121 449 5581. is a small gallery in a someone's back-yard! It's only open for specific exhibitions which last a few days at a time. These usually display work by local artists. There is no admission charge.

Nima Delicatessan, 103 Alcester Road, +44 121 442 4205. A well-stocked deli, selling cooked meats, cheese, coffee and a wide selection of ethnic and organic foods and ingredients.

Birmingham is the balti capital of England, and the balti was invented here in 1977. It is a type of curry served in a thin, pressed-steel wok called a "balti bowl". The much-promoted "balti triangle" covers around 50 restaurants on Ladypool Road and Stratford Road in Sparkbrook (often referred to as Little Somalia), about 2 miles south of the city centre. Travel West Midlands has a deal with eight of the larger eateries whereby you can get a 15% discount for travelling by bus, pick up a Balti Triangle by Bus leaflet for full details. A taxi to the area will take around 10 minutes and cost £5. Although the area looks a bit run-down, there is little crime as the abundance of restaurants ensure that the streets are always busy.

Birmingham has a large student population, and the usual cottage industries have sprung up in campus areas to cater for their lack of cash. There are around a dozen cheap eateries in the Selly Oak area of Bristol Road, mainly Indian but also Chinese, Italian and English.

The usual fast food chains, kebab shops and burger vans are also scattered around the city and surrounding areas.

• Simply Baguette, Corporation Street (opposite The Square Peg. A large variety of baguettes ranging from 50-75p.
• Wok Delight, +44 121 357-0018.
• Canalside Cafe, 35 Worcester Bar, Gas St, +44 121 248-7979. Daily 9AM-4PM. Fairly small cafe with a good range of organic and vegetarian foods. Excellent in the summer, as it's (unsurprisingly) right on the canalside. £3-12.
• Edwardian Tea Rooms, Chamberlain Square (inside Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, +44 121 303-2834. M-Th Sa 10AM-5PM, F 10:30AM-5PM, Su 12:30PM-5PM. Authentic Edwardian cafe in the heart of the museum. The food is a lot better than the price suggests. £3-12.
• Cafe Face, 519 Bristol Rd, Selly Oak, +44 121 415-4651. M-Su 8AM-6PM. Absolutely excellent cafes, big helpings not shy on the cheese, garlic mayonnaise and chilli sauce if you were to order them. Excellent reputation for their roasted vegetables or jacket potatoes. £3-7.
• Whats Cooking: Rooster Chicken, Bottom of Harrow Road. 11AM-4AM. Delicious, slightly suspect chicken in huge quantities but don't order off the board or you'll be waiting all day £3.

Simply Baguette, Corporation Street (opposite The Square Peg. A large variety of baguettes ranging from 50-75p.

Wok Delight, +44 121 357-0018.

Canalside Cafe, 35 Worcester Bar, Gas St, +44 121 248-7979. Daily 9AM-4PM. Fairly small cafe with a good range of organic and vegetarian foods. Excellent in the summer, as it's (unsurprisingly) right on the canalside. £3-12.

Edwardian Tea Rooms, Chamberlain Square (inside Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, +44 121 303-2834. M-Th Sa 10AM-5PM, F 10:30AM-5PM, Su 12:30PM-5PM. Authentic Edwardian cafe in the heart of the museum. The food is a lot better than the price suggests. £3-12.

Cafe Face, 519 Bristol Rd, Selly Oak, +44 121 415-4651. M-Su 8AM-6PM. Absolutely excellent cafes, big helpings not shy on the cheese, garlic mayonnaise and chilli sauce if you were to order them. Excellent reputation for their roasted vegetables or jacket potatoes. £3-7.

Whats Cooking: Rooster Chicken, Bottom of Harrow Road. 11AM-4AM. Delicious, slightly suspect chicken in huge quantities but don't order off the board or you'll be waiting all day £3.

The mid-range chain eateries are much the same as the ones you'd find in any British city, and you'll rarely be more than a few hundred yards away from one.

• Cafe IKON, 1 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, +44 121 248-3226. M noon-11PM, Tu-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su 11AM-6PM. Modern cafe attached to the art gallery with efficient and friendly staff. £6-20.
• Celebrity Balti Restaurant, 44 Broad St (above the Brasshouse pub, +44 121 643-8969. Decent Indian dishes. £12-35.
• Chung Ying Cantonese Restaurant, 16-18 Wrottesley St (off Hurst St, +44 121 622-5669. The Chinese Restaurant in Birmingham, established since 1981. Opposite Arcadian Centre. £10-35.
• Chung Ying Garden, 17 Thorp St (off Hurst St, +44 121 666-6622. Large, well-known Cantonese place. Huge menu, always full of Chinese people. Also offers private rooms for groups, karaoke and disco. £10-40.
• The Green Room, Arcadian Centre, Hurst St, +44 121 605-4343. M-W 11AM-11PM, Th 11AM-midnight, F Sa 11AM-2AM, Su noon-12:30AM. Varied contemporary menu, chilled-out atmosphere. Popular with the theatre crowd. £10-30.
• The Kitchen Garden Cafe, 17 York Road, Kings Heath. Picturesque area in the middle of a busy and bustling Birmingham suburb. Quality vegetarian options and excellent service.
• Pasta Di Piazza, 11 Brook St (St. Paul's Square, +44 121 236-5858. Daily noon-midnight. Upmarket Italian place, can be a bit crowded. £12-30.
• Thai Edge, 7 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, +44 121 643-3993. Daily noon-2:30PM and 5:30PM-11PM. Contemporary Oriental surroundings. Wide range of Thai dishes. £12-40.
• Yasser Tandoori, +44 121 433-3023.
• V2, 73-75 Pershore St, +44 121 666-6683. Home-style Chinese cooking, popular with the local Chinese community. Clean and bright inside with trendy decor.
• Varsha, +44 121 743-8100.
• Wagamama, Bullring plaza, (under Borders), B5 4QL, +44 121 633-6033. M-Sa noon-11PM, Su 12:30PM-10PM. Birmingham's restaurant of the Wagamama chain, tidy and minimal inside with a good, varied noodle menu. Specials change frequently and there are a few good vegetarian dishes. Can get busy, with a typical wait from 10-15 minutes during peak shopping times.
• Woktastic, Paradise Place, B3 3HJ (Located just outside Paradise forum on the same side as the theatres and ICC, +44 121 236-3130. M-Sa noon-11PM, Su noon-10PM. Japanese, surprisingly given the name. Fluorescent, authentic, accommodating, great. £7-10.

Cafe IKON, 1 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, +44 121 248-3226. M noon-11PM, Tu-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su 11AM-6PM. Modern cafe attached to the art gallery with efficient and friendly staff. £6-20.

Celebrity Balti Restaurant, 44 Broad St (above the Brasshouse pub, +44 121 643-8969. Decent Indian dishes. £12-35.

Chung Ying Cantonese Restaurant, 16-18 Wrottesley St (off Hurst St, +44 121 622-5669. The Chinese Restaurant in Birmingham, established since 1981. Opposite Arcadian Centre. £10-35.

Chung Ying Garden, 17 Thorp St (off Hurst St, +44 121 666-6622. Large, well-known Cantonese place. Huge menu, always full of Chinese people. Also offers private rooms for groups, karaoke and disco. £10-40.

The Green Room, Arcadian Centre, Hurst St, +44 121 605-4343. M-W 11AM-11PM, Th 11AM-midnight, F Sa 11AM-2AM, Su noon-12:30AM. Varied contemporary menu, chilled-out atmosphere. Popular with the theatre crowd. £10-30.

The Kitchen Garden Cafe, 17 York Road, Kings Heath. Picturesque area in the middle of a busy and bustling Birmingham suburb. Quality vegetarian options and excellent service.

Pasta Di Piazza, 11 Brook St (St. Paul's Square, +44 121 236-5858. Daily noon-midnight. Upmarket Italian place, can be a bit crowded. £12-30.

Thai Edge, 7 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, +44 121 643-3993. Daily noon-2:30PM and 5:30PM-11PM. Contemporary Oriental surroundings. Wide range of Thai dishes. £12-40.

Yasser Tandoori, +44 121 433-3023.

V2, 73-75 Pershore St, +44 121 666-6683. Home-style Chinese cooking, popular with the local Chinese community. Clean and bright inside with trendy decor.

Varsha, +44 121 743-8100.

Wagamama, Bullring plaza, (under Borders), B5 4QL, +44 121 633-6033. M-Sa noon-11PM, Su 12:30PM-10PM. Birmingham's restaurant of the Wagamama chain, tidy and minimal inside with a good, varied noodle menu. Specials change frequently and there are a few good vegetarian dishes. Can get busy, with a typical wait from 10-15 minutes during peak shopping times.

Woktastic, Paradise Place, B3 3HJ (Located just outside Paradise forum on the same side as the theatres and ICC, +44 121 236-3130. M-Sa noon-11PM, Su noon-10PM. Japanese, surprisingly given the name. Fluorescent, authentic, accommodating, great. £7-10.

Birmingham has quite a few upmarket places, mainly due to the number of high-rolling businesspeople that drift in for conferences and other dealings.

• Aria Restaurant, 2 Bridge St (In Hyatt lobby, +44 121 643-1234. Daily 6:30AM-10:30PM. 3-course pre-concert table d'hôte menu.
• Rectory Bar & Restaurant, 50-54 St Pauls Square, +44 121 605-1001. Ideal venue for both drinking and dining with a fabulous reputation for food. Quality steaks, fresh fish, set price menu and superb wine list. The bar is vibrant every weekend and is open to 1AM. It's a stylish place but friendly and attracts a great mix of people. £15-20.
• Metro Bar & Grill, 73 Cornwall St, +44 121 200-1911. Seasonal seafood, pasta, salads and cocktails. £15-40.
• Opus Restaurant, 54 Cornwall St, +44 121 200-2323. Fresh seasonal produce with an unpretentious feel. Michelin Star quality without the price. £15-40.
• The Jam House, 1 St. Paul's Square, +44 121 200-3030. Varied menu and live music most nights. £20-50.
• Turners, 69 High Street, Harborne, B17 9NS, +44 121 426-4440. One Michelin star. Lunch from £40, Dinner £50 - £208.
• Purnell's, 55 Cornwall St, +44 121 212-9799. One Michelin star. ~£30-70.

Aria Restaurant, 2 Bridge St (In Hyatt lobby, +44 121 643-1234. Daily 6:30AM-10:30PM. 3-course pre-concert table d'hôte menu.

Rectory Bar & Restaurant, 50-54 St Pauls Square, +44 121 605-1001. Ideal venue for both drinking and dining with a fabulous reputation for food. Quality steaks, fresh fish, set price menu and superb wine list. The bar is vibrant every weekend and is open to 1AM. It's a stylish place but friendly and attracts a great mix of people. £15-20.

Metro Bar & Grill, 73 Cornwall St, +44 121 200-1911. Seasonal seafood, pasta, salads and cocktails. £15-40.

Opus Restaurant, 54 Cornwall St, +44 121 200-2323. Fresh seasonal produce with an unpretentious feel. Michelin Star quality without the price. £15-40.

The Jam House, 1 St. Paul's Square, +44 121 200-3030. Varied menu and live music most nights. £20-50.

Turners, 69 High Street, Harborne, B17 9NS, +44 121 426-4440. One Michelin star. Lunch from £40, Dinner £50 - £208.

Purnell's, 55 Cornwall St, +44 121 212-9799. One Michelin star. ~£30-70.

Considering its size, Birmingham does not have a wide range of vegetarian-specific places to eat. All the eateries mentioned above will have vegetarian options, but the Indian and Chinese places tend to have better variety. If you are vegan ask for your balti/curry to be cooked without ghee (clarified butter). Naan breads are generally not vegan whilst rotis are.

• Jyoti, 569-571 Stratford Rd, Hall Green (4 miles south of the city. #5 or #6 bus, +44 121 766-7199. Tu-F 6PM-9:15PM (last orders), Th F noon-2:30PM, Sa Su 1PM-9:15PM (last orders), closed M. Excellent Indian food, but relatively small portions. Extremely popular, so book ahead. £5-20.
• The Warehouse Cafe, 54 Allison St, +44 121 633-0261. Tu-F noon-12:30PM, Sa noon-3PM, F Sa 6PM-9PM. Wholesome organic vegetarian and vegan fare. Closely linked with Friends of the Earth. £5-20.
• Chennai Dosa, 169-171 Hagley Road, +44 121 454-1111. Edgbaston. A popular restaurant serving South Indian cuisine, which is known for its Dosas. Has vegan options. £4-10.
• Mr Singh's All Vegetarian Pizza, 103 Cornwall Rd, +44 121 552-3529. Handsworth Wood. Vegan and vegetarian pizza restaurant. £4-10.
• Land Restaurant, 26 Great Western Arcade, B2 5HU, +44 121 236 2313. Tue-Thur 12.00-14.30 & 17.00-20.30, Fri-Sat 12.00-14.30 & 17.00-21.00. Plant focused, casual dining restaurant. Dishes highlight seasonal ingredients. £12-40.

Jyoti, 569-571 Stratford Rd, Hall Green (4 miles south of the city. #5 or #6 bus, +44 121 766-7199. Tu-F 6PM-9:15PM (last orders), Th F noon-2:30PM, Sa Su 1PM-9:15PM (last orders), closed M. Excellent Indian food, but relatively small portions. Extremely popular, so book ahead. £5-20.

The Warehouse Cafe, 54 Allison St, +44 121 633-0261. Tu-F noon-12:30PM, Sa noon-3PM, F Sa 6PM-9PM. Wholesome organic vegetarian and vegan fare. Closely linked with Friends of the Earth. £5-20.

Chennai Dosa, 169-171 Hagley Road, +44 121 454-1111. Edgbaston. A popular restaurant serving South Indian cuisine, which is known for its Dosas. Has vegan options. £4-10.

Mr Singh's All Vegetarian Pizza, 103 Cornwall Rd, +44 121 552-3529. Handsworth Wood. Vegan and vegetarian pizza restaurant. £4-10.

Land Restaurant, 26 Great Western Arcade, B2 5HU, +44 121 236 2313. Tue-Thur 12.00-14.30 & 17.00-20.30, Fri-Sat 12.00-14.30 & 17.00-21.00. Plant focused, casual dining restaurant. Dishes highlight seasonal ingredients. £12-40.

Selly Oak is in South Birmingham and has its own railway station with frequent services from Birmingham New Street. It can also be reached by bus, with a stop along Bristol Road. The University of Birmingham is located nearby, and hence the majority of residents in Selly Oak are students, who live in terraced houses; mainly in a rather poor state.

The shops and services on Bristol Road cater for the student population. There are many take-aways, letting agents, off-licences, cheap restaurants and pubs.

• The Soak. Very cheap and decent food available, as well as a wide range of drinks.
• The Bristol Pear. Again part of the Scream chain but much smaller than the Gun Barrels. Cheap drinks.
• Chick-in. Fried chicken with a fast-food type front end. Curries, bring your own wine.
• Chamon. Indian restaurant, pretty good, cheap and you can bring your own wine.
• Sheratton. Indian restaurant, pretty good, you can bring your own wine and they give you a big discount.
• Cafe Eastern Delight. Pretty Indian restaurant. You will have about five waiters behind your back if you eat there.
• Suzen's Noodle Bar. Food often too oily. Cheap.
• Rimini. Italian restaurant. Prices higher than usual in the area, but quality of food and presentation is usually better than most local restaurants. You can bring your own wine.
• Pizza Land, Mama Wia, Luciano's All little shops that serve very cheap (but good) pizza cooked by people who probably get paid less than the national minimum wage.
• Selly Sausage. Popular cheap student restaurant. Good for paninis, pancakes, omelettes and the like. Host of "the campus mate" - a dating section by the local student newspaper.
• Kebab Land. Name says it all.

The Soak. Very cheap and decent food available, as well as a wide range of drinks.

The Bristol Pear. Again part of the Scream chain but much smaller than the Gun Barrels. Cheap drinks.

Chick-in. Fried chicken with a fast-food type front end. Curries, bring your own wine.

Chamon. Indian restaurant, pretty good, cheap and you can bring your own wine.

Sheratton. Indian restaurant, pretty good, you can bring your own wine and they give you a big discount.

Cafe Eastern Delight. Pretty Indian restaurant. You will have about five waiters behind your back if you eat there.

Suzen's Noodle Bar. Food often too oily. Cheap.

Rimini. Italian restaurant. Prices higher than usual in the area, but quality of food and presentation is usually better than most local restaurants. You can bring your own wine.

Pizza Land, Mama Wia, Luciano's All little shops that serve very cheap (but good) pizza cooked by people who probably get paid less than the national minimum wage.

Selly Sausage. Popular cheap student restaurant. Good for paninis, pancakes, omelettes and the like. Host of "the campus mate" - a dating section by the local student newspaper.

Kebab Land. Name says it all.

• Sabai Sabai, 25 Woodbridge Road, +44 121 449 4498. Thai cuisine, excellent value and quality, although often full and some find it a little packed/claustrophobic.
• Kabbabish, 29 Woodbridge Road. An up-market balti house.
• Java Lounge, 115 Alcester Rd, +44 121 347 6610. An internet cafe offering a wide selection of hot drinks and cakes. Probably more genuine cafe that happens to do internet connections, than your typical scummy internet cafe.
• La Plancha, 113 Alcester Road, +44 121 449 5303. A Spanish tapas bar/restaurant. Bar area downstairs with seating and a tapas menu, upstairs a restaurant with a wider menu. Pretty authentic Spanish fare.
• The Fighting Cocks, 1 St Mary's Row (Alcester Road, +44 121 449 0811. Very pleasant pub with a youngish crowd in the centre offering a selection of traditional pub food and more modern dishes and vast selection of beers and wine. Not cheap for pub food (~£8-10 main) slow service but good quality.
• Dance Cafe, 132A Alcester Road, +44 121 442 2286. Often overlooked outlet offering a selection of hot drinks, cakes and sandwiches. Cafe on ground floor of dance studio/school, very reasonably priced.

Sabai Sabai, 25 Woodbridge Road, +44 121 449 4498. Thai cuisine, excellent value and quality, although often full and some find it a little packed/claustrophobic.

Kabbabish, 29 Woodbridge Road. An up-market balti house.

Java Lounge, 115 Alcester Rd, +44 121 347 6610. An internet cafe offering a wide selection of hot drinks and cakes. Probably more genuine cafe that happens to do internet connections, than your typical scummy internet cafe.

La Plancha, 113 Alcester Road, +44 121 449 5303. A Spanish tapas bar/restaurant. Bar area downstairs with seating and a tapas menu, upstairs a restaurant with a wider menu. Pretty authentic Spanish fare.

The Fighting Cocks, 1 St Mary's Row (Alcester Road, +44 121 449 0811. Very pleasant pub with a youngish crowd in the centre offering a selection of traditional pub food and more modern dishes and vast selection of beers and wine. Not cheap for pub food (~£8-10 main) slow service but good quality.

Dance Cafe, 132A Alcester Road, +44 121 442 2286. Often overlooked outlet offering a selection of hot drinks, cakes and sandwiches. Cafe on ground floor of dance studio/school, very reasonably priced.

Dress code restrictions are rather common in Birmingham clubs, so be careful to check out each club's policy. Many clubs refuse to admit large groups of males in case of trouble, so go individually or in small groups. The usual excuse that door-staff give is that someone in the party is wearing the wrong type of shoes/coat/trousers etc. The general rule of thumb is no effort, no entry. This usually means shoes, not trainers, and a shirt, not a T-shirt. At the same time being dressed like that can be a hindrance, if you go to one of the cooler bars. It's best to check with someone who's been to the particular bar before. There are a number of areas in the city centre, which are defined below, but other areas to look for a night out are Moseley, Harborne and Selly Oak.

If you are looking for the average drink, virtually any pub or bar will do. If you are a real ale aficionado, there are several excellent pubs to visit, where dress restrictions do not usually apply. Highlights include The Wellington (Bennets Hill), The Shakeseare (Summer Row), another The Shakeseare (Lower Temple Street), The Old Contemptables (Edmund Street, near Snow Hill Station), and the Post Office Vaults (New Street).

• Bull, 1 Price St, B4 6JU, +44 121 333-6757. Quiet and comfortable pub, in the Gun quarter. Home-cooked food, too.
• Figure of Eight, 236 Broad St, B1 2HG, +44 121 633-0917. Large city centre pub belonging to the Wetherspoon chain.
• Bacchus, Burlington Arcade, +44 121 616-7991. Cheerfully ornate, gothic style cellar bar beneath The Burlington Hotel. Discretely hidden just off the bustling New Street. Bacchus is a relaxing oasis away from the buzz of the City Centre. A range of real ales is available. Over 21s only.
• Craven Arms, Upper Gough Street, +44 121 643-6756. Situated out of the rear of the Mailbox complex, has great traditional blue tiled exterior.
• Edmunds Lounge Bar and Eatery, 106-110 Edmund Street, +44 121 200-2423. Popular venue in the financial part of town, great food available every day. Known for quality pub food from local suppliers. £8-12.
• The Malt House, 74 King Edwards Road, B1 2NX (Sandwiched between the ICC and the NIA along the canal, +44 121 633-4171. Noon-11PM. Make no mistake this is a chain pub serving standard food and drinks. However, when the sun is shining it is difficult to find a nicer place to drink along Birmingham's canals as there is a plethora of outdoor seating. Visited by Bill Clinton during his Birmingham visit.
• Old Fox, 54 Hurst St, +44 121 622-5080.
• Old Joint Stock, 4 Temple Row West, B2 5NY (Faces St. Philips cathedral, +44 121 200-1892. Superbly decorated pub in a Grade II listed former bank. Sells mainly Fullers' beers.
• Old Royal, 53 Church St,B3 2DP, +44 121 200-3841. Single bar with large-screen TV. The pub is popular with office workers.
• The Queens Arms, 150 Newhall Street, +44 121 236-3710. A great place to watch live sport and the venue of the best quiz night in Birmingham every Thursday night. It's just £1 to enter and there's no limit on the size of the teams. A great night out for seasoned quiz-goers and first-timers alike. Homemade pizzas and a sausage selection giving a fresh choice every day, also has two for one offers every weekday. Great place for traditional ales and a Cask Marque award winner. £5-12 per dish.
• The Wellington, Bennets Hill (Just of Colmore Row, +44 121 200-3115. An outstanding and frequently-changing selection of well-kept real ales, lagers, ciders and perry (the current list can be viewed on-line), run by knowledgeable CAMRA members. No food served, but condiments, cutlery and crockery are available to people bringing their own (supermarkets and fast-food premsises are nearby).

In the middle of Birmingham's rather small Chinatown, this is an open at the centre shopping arcade which is mostly used by Chinese super markets and restaurants. Right in the middle though, its all bars. It tends to be a bit quieter and less rowdy that broad street and has some of the better clubs in the city. The dress code around here is extremely strict in regard to logos on clothes, they are a definite no! Most of the bars are interchangeable, but recommended are:

• Sobar. Supposedly a noodle bar, as evidence by a small noodle based menu. Really this is just a pretty decent bar. It stocks the standard beers and drinks as well as a number of rarer Asian beers. Has a number of extremely comfortable sofas.
• Bambu. One of the best, but also one of the most pretentious clubs in Birmingham. It's not cheap but is still the place to be seen. The dress code here is very hard to define, they want "cool".

Sobar. Supposedly a noodle bar, as evidence by a small noodle based menu. Really this is just a pretty decent bar. It stocks the standard beers and drinks as well as a number of rarer Asian beers. Has a number of extremely comfortable sofas.

Bambu. One of the best, but also one of the most pretentious clubs in Birmingham. It's not cheap but is still the place to be seen. The dress code here is very hard to define, they want "cool".

Broad Street, the No 1 party street of Birmingham, has a large range of clubs, bars and pubs. This is a good location for a decent English Friday night. However, at the same time it is one of the more rowdy areas, and if trouble happens it will normally be on this road. The chances of this affecting you are slim. Just of to the side of this road is Brindleyplace, a classier and better area of bars, clubs and restaurants. Recommended bars are:

• Revolution. Chain vodka bar. A cut above the normal for Broad Street, though it does get crowded. Great range of Vodka's.
• The Works. Big 3 room club, with a variety of music. Great for kids. Over 23's will feel ancient in here.
• The Pitcher and Piano. Canal side bar with a decent range of beers. Perfect for a nice lunch time drink in the summer months, sitting outside by the canal.
• The Prince Of Wales, King Edward St (behind the I.C.C. 2 minutes from Broad St. Victorian pub with decent menu & many types of fine ales, worth a visit for the beer!

Revolution. Chain vodka bar. A cut above the normal for Broad Street, though it does get crowded. Great range of Vodka's.

The Works. Big 3 room club, with a variety of music. Great for kids. Over 23's will feel ancient in here.

The Pitcher and Piano. Canal side bar with a decent range of beers. Perfect for a nice lunch time drink in the summer months, sitting outside by the canal.

The Prince Of Wales, King Edward St (behind the I.C.C. 2 minutes from Broad St. Victorian pub with decent menu & many types of fine ales, worth a visit for the beer!

Birmingham has a large Irish community and many Irish pubs. Most of the city centre ones are spread along Digbeth High Street beginning with The Bullring Tavern near the Bull Ring and finishing with The Rainbow near Camp Hill.

Some recommendations in Digbeth are:

• Anchor, 308 Bradford St, +44 121 622-4516. Victorian pub near Digbeth Coach Station. Grade II listed.
• Woodman, 106 Albert St, +44 121 643-1959. Grade II listed. Opposite the Thinktank at the Millennium Point.
• Every two weeks an indie night called Panic! is held at the Sanctuary in Dibgeth.
• For a more eclectic mix of music and people take a look at the Medicine Bar in the Custard Factory just off the A34 in Digbeth (it's the big blue building).
• Just around the corner is a club called Air, host to nationally recognised nights such as Godskitchen. The Custard Factory, Gibb Street, Hosts a range of nights, from Drum n Bass to Electro, not to be missed. The Rainbow Pub, An eclectic pub that hosts a variety of nights, one of the best places in Birmingham and is soon to be shut down. Also visit the Rainbow Warehouse, around the corner which is big on the rave scene and often joins with the Rainbow pub to host street parties such as S.L.A.G.

Anchor, 308 Bradford St, +44 121 622-4516. Victorian pub near Digbeth Coach Station. Grade II listed.

Woodman, 106 Albert St, +44 121 643-1959. Grade II listed. Opposite the Thinktank at the Millennium Point.

Every two weeks an indie night called Panic! is held at the Sanctuary in Dibgeth.

For a more eclectic mix of music and people take a look at the Medicine Bar in the Custard Factory just off the A34 in Digbeth (it's the big blue building).

Just around the corner is a club called Air, host to nationally recognised nights such as Godskitchen.

Birmingham has a vibrant and visible gay scene centred around Hurst Street. Every Spring Bank Holiday this area, often referred to by locals as the Gay Village, hosts a gay-pride festival while its bars and clubs attract people from across the Midlands all year round. Hurst Street is well policed and homophobic attacks are rare, though the local fundamentalists may try to 'save your soul'. Birmingham is as gay friendly as Manchester, Brighton, and Blackpool. Birmingham has a large number of gay venues, the best being the Village, Eden, Equator, The Loft Lounge and the Queens Arms. The Fountain and Bolts are men only bars.

Many of the more up-market bars and restaurants are located around St. Paul's Square in the Jewellery Quarter. This is also home to the Jam House, Birmingham's premier jazz club.

• The Vault. Open Thursday till Saturday, 5PM till late. A upscale restaurant bar occupying the vaulted underpinnings of an imposing Victorian building with signature exposed brickwork, bespoke furniture, polished wooden flooring.
• Vertu Bar. Regularly showcases live music on a Thursday evening and showcases various nights including ‘Rizen’ on a Friday where the house DJ plays funky and electro house.

The Vault. Open Thursday till Saturday, 5PM till late. A upscale restaurant bar occupying the vaulted underpinnings of an imposing Victorian building with signature exposed brickwork, bespoke furniture, polished wooden flooring.

Vertu Bar. Regularly showcases live music on a Thursday evening and showcases various nights including ‘Rizen’ on a Friday where the house DJ plays funky and electro house.

Bull, 1 Price St, B4 6JU, +44 121 333-6757. Quiet and comfortable pub, in the Gun quarter. Home-cooked food, too.

Figure of Eight, 236 Broad St, B1 2HG, +44 121 633-0917. Large city centre pub belonging to the Wetherspoon chain.

Bacchus, Burlington Arcade, +44 121 616-7991. Cheerfully ornate, gothic style cellar bar beneath The Burlington Hotel. Discretely hidden just off the bustling New Street. Bacchus is a relaxing oasis away from the buzz of the City Centre. A range of real ales is available. Over 21s only.

Craven Arms, Upper Gough Street, +44 121 643-6756. Situated out of the rear of the Mailbox complex, has great traditional blue tiled exterior.

Edmunds Lounge Bar and Eatery, 106-110 Edmund Street, +44 121 200-2423. Popular venue in the financial part of town, great food available every day. Known for quality pub food from local suppliers. £8-12.

The Malt House, 74 King Edwards Road, B1 2NX (Sandwiched between the ICC and the NIA along the canal, +44 121 633-4171. Noon-11PM. Make no mistake this is a chain pub serving standard food and drinks. However, when the sun is shining it is difficult to find a nicer place to drink along Birmingham's canals as there is a plethora of outdoor seating. Visited by Bill Clinton during his Birmingham visit.

Old Fox, 54 Hurst St, +44 121 622-5080.

Old Joint Stock, 4 Temple Row West, B2 5NY (Faces St. Philips cathedral, +44 121 200-1892. Superbly decorated pub in a Grade II listed former bank. Sells mainly Fullers' beers.

Old Royal, 53 Church St,B3 2DP, +44 121 200-3841. Single bar with large-screen TV. The pub is popular with office workers.

The Queens Arms, 150 Newhall Street, +44 121 236-3710. A great place to watch live sport and the venue of the best quiz night in Birmingham every Thursday night. It's just £1 to enter and there's no limit on the size of the teams. A great night out for seasoned quiz-goers and first-timers alike. Homemade pizzas and a sausage selection giving a fresh choice every day, also has two for one offers every weekday. Great place for traditional ales and a Cask Marque award winner. £5-12 per dish.

The Wellington, Bennets Hill (Just of Colmore Row, +44 121 200-3115. An outstanding and frequently-changing selection of well-kept real ales, lagers, ciders and perry (the current list can be viewed on-line), run by knowledgeable CAMRA members. No food served, but condiments, cutlery and crockery are available to people bringing their own (supermarkets and fast-food premsises are nearby).

Harborne was once a separate village, is now a mainly residential area a bit North of Birmingham University. The old village center, along Harborne High Street, now has a lot of pubs with a mixed crowd; students, faculty and others. There's a tradition among the crazier students; try to have a half pint in every pub in Harborne in one evening. With over 20 pubs and several km of walking involved, and the limited opening hours of British pubs, this takes some doing.

• The Bell, 11 Old Church Rd, +44 121 427-0931. Next to St Peter's Church, this cosy and quiet pub gets busy because of its attraction.
• The Plough, 21 High St, B17 9NT. Cosy, moderately priced, popular with medical and nursing students. pizza £10 -14, wine from £4.60 per glass.
• The Junction, 212 High Street, Harborne, +44 121 428-2635. An odd V shaped pub as the name suggests on the junction of the High Street and Vivian Road. A really nice pub sells some real ales and good selection of lagers. Sells good pub grub as well.

The Bell, 11 Old Church Rd, +44 121 427-0931. Next to St Peter's Church, this cosy and quiet pub gets busy because of its attraction.

The Plough, 21 High St, B17 9NT. Cosy, moderately priced, popular with medical and nursing students. pizza £10 -14, wine from £4.60 per glass.

The Junction, 212 High Street, Harborne, +44 121 428-2635. An odd V shaped pub as the name suggests on the junction of the High Street and Vivian Road. A really nice pub sells some real ales and good selection of lagers. Sells good pub grub as well.

• The Bartons Arms, 144 High St, Aston, B6 4UP (On A34 north of City Centre, and on many bus routes, including #8, inner circle, +44 121 333-5988. Comprehensive Thai menu and bar snacks. Refurbished after having been derelict. Noted for its near-original and highly elaborate Victorian interior. Former customers include Ozzy Osbourne and Laurel and Hardy.

The Bartons Arms, 144 High St, Aston, B6 4UP (On A34 north of City Centre, and on many bus routes, including #8, inner circle, +44 121 333-5988. Comprehensive Thai menu and bar snacks. Refurbished after having been derelict. Noted for its near-original and highly elaborate Victorian interior. Former customers include Ozzy Osbourne and Laurel and Hardy.

The city hosts some of Britain's most popular clubs and events. Student nights are especially fun, with cheap drink and entry offers and busy clubs. Do not miss out on visiting at least one of these brilliant events:

• Gatecrasher, Broad Street. Now the biggest club in Birmingham.
• Ramshackle. Giving visitors a brilliant experience of the UK and International indie scene combined with fantastic prices. Held at the 2000+ capacity Carling Academy, Dale End.
• Snobs. Very similar to Ramshackle; with DJs offering more focus on up and coming music, also with a 60s room. "Big Wednesday"'s are big with the large student population Birmingham has, with shots at just £1 each all night.
• Oceana. The new super club boasts 5+ bars, 2 huge dance floors, and a roof top seating area, all new within the last 2 years. An amazing experience, if a little expensive on popular nights. A good night to go is a Wednesday.

• Risa, Broad Street. One of the most popular clubs among students in Birmingham. However it is being gradually taken over by clubs like Oceana. Still it is good fun on Monday and Wednesday night.
• Rococo Lounge, Broad Street. Best for R'n'B on Broad Street. Get there early on Sundays. Cheap drinks promotion.
• Indi Bar. Dance and R'n'B. Guest DJ's
• Nightingales, Hurst Street. Birmingham's most famous gay club. Often has guest performers
• Rainbow Warehouse. A warehouse club next to the Rainbow pub in Digbeth which hosts a variety of underground events playing Dubstep, Drum & Bass, Breakbeat, and Techno. Check for events.
• PST. Located in Digbeth, PST is a private members club offering underground reggae nights. Check for events.
• Hare & Hounds. A live music venue located in the Kings Heath district, which has earned its reputation hosting nightly events including artists and DJs across almost all musical genres.
• Bull's Head. A live music venue located in the Moseley district, the upstairs transforms into an intimate club environment open til 2AM on Fridays & Saturdays.

Gatecrasher, Broad Street. Now the biggest club in Birmingham.

Ramshackle. Giving visitors a brilliant experience of the UK and International indie scene combined with fantastic prices. Held at the 2000+ capacity Carling Academy, Dale End.

Snobs. Very similar to Ramshackle; with DJs offering more focus on up and coming music, also with a 60s room. "Big Wednesday"'s are big with the large student population Birmingham has, with shots at just £1 each all night.

Oceana. The new super club boasts 5+ bars, 2 huge dance floors, and a roof top seating area, all new within the last 2 years. An amazing experience, if a little expensive on popular nights. A good night to go is a Wednesday.

Risa, Broad Street. One of the most popular clubs among students in Birmingham. However it is being gradually taken over by clubs like Oceana. Still it is good fun on Monday and Wednesday night.

Rococo Lounge, Broad Street. Best for R'n'B on Broad Street. Get there early on Sundays. Cheap drinks promotion.

Indi Bar. Dance and R'n'B. Guest DJ's

Nightingales, Hurst Street. Birmingham's most famous gay club. Often has guest performers

Rainbow Warehouse. A warehouse club next to the Rainbow pub in Digbeth which hosts a variety of underground events playing Dubstep, Drum & Bass, Breakbeat, and Techno. Check for events.

PST. Located in Digbeth, PST is a private members club offering underground reggae nights. Check for events.

Hare & Hounds. A live music venue located in the Kings Heath district, which has earned its reputation hosting nightly events including artists and DJs across almost all musical genres.

Bull's Head. A live music venue located in the Moseley district, the upstairs transforms into an intimate club environment open til 2AM on Fridays & Saturdays.

• The Patrick Kavanagh, 142 Trafalgar Road,, +44 121 449 2598. A 20-somethings pub named after the Irish poet.
• The Prince of Wales, 118 Alcester Rd., +44 121 449 4198. A traditional English pub bought by La Plancha; wide range of real ales.
• The Cuban Embassy, 23 St Mary's Row, +44 121 258 2857. Has an affiliation with the Custard Factory in the city centre.
• La Plancha, 113 Alcester Rd, +44 121 449 5303. A tapas bar opened in 2005.

The Patrick Kavanagh, 142 Trafalgar Road,, +44 121 449 2598. A 20-somethings pub named after the Irish poet.

The Prince of Wales, 118 Alcester Rd., +44 121 449 4198. A traditional English pub bought by La Plancha; wide range of real ales.

The Cuban Embassy, 23 St Mary's Row, +44 121 258 2857. Has an affiliation with the Custard Factory in the city centre.

La Plancha, 113 Alcester Rd, +44 121 449 5303. A tapas bar opened in 2005.

The national dialling code for the city is 0121, followed by a three digit area code, followed by a four digit number. A fully specified Birmingham number will be in the format 0121 000 0000. The minimum requirement is 000 0000 within the national dialling code area.

BT payphones are dotted around the city, and most will take both cash and credit/debit cards. International calls are by no means cheap. There are no telephone centres, so if you're going to be making lots of calls home a pre-paid phone card may be a good option.

All GSM mobile networks have excellent coverage in all areas of the city.

All public libraries, including the central Library of Birmingham, provide free internet access, though the connection can be slow and you may have to queue for a terminal; and you need a library membership card for access.

It is also possible to get online from some BT payphones in the city centre (look for the ones with light blue broadband signs on them).

Wi-Fi is available in a number of cafes (including most of the city centre independents and chains), and other places.

• Dot Comm Cafe, 212 Broad Sreet, +44 121 643-6999. M-Sa 10AM-2:30AM, Su 10AM-4PM. Noisy cafe surrounded by clubs. £2 (free access with food costing £4 or more).
• Express Internet, 181 Brighton Road, Moseley, B12 8QN, +44 121 449-1599. Mon-Sat 8AM-9PM, Sun 9AM-6PM. Internet lounge part of Express Mini Mart. £1 per hour.
• The Java lounge, 115 Alcester Road (King Edwards Rd. is an internet cafe in the centre of Moseley Village.

Dot Comm Cafe, 212 Broad Sreet, +44 121 643-6999. M-Sa 10AM-2:30AM, Su 10AM-4PM. Noisy cafe surrounded by clubs. £2 (free access with food costing £4 or more).

Express Internet, 181 Brighton Road, Moseley, B12 8QN, +44 121 449-1599. Mon-Sat 8AM-9PM, Sun 9AM-6PM. Internet lounge part of Express Mini Mart. £1 per hour.

The Java lounge, 115 Alcester Road (King Edwards Rd. is an internet cafe in the centre of Moseley Village.

Birmingham grew to be a very multicutural population centre, so apart from Christian, religious services for many other faith groups are provided within the city.

• Birmingham Buddhist Centre, 11 Park Rd, Moseley (* 1, #35 or #50 bus, +44 121 449-5279. A centre run by the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order.
• Birmingham Central Mosque, 180 Belgrave Middleway, Highgate (* 35 bus, +44 121 440-5355. Daily noon-30 minutes after Isha (exact time of Isha varies with the seasons). Built in 1969, Birmingham was the second purpose-built mosque in the UK (the first was in Woking). The working capacity is 2500, though this is expanded during special events such as Eid. Tour groups should book at least two weeks in advance.
• Birmingham Central Synagogue, 133 Pershore Rd, +44 121 440-4044. M Th from 7:15AM, Tu W F from 7:30AM, Sa from 9:30AM, Su from 8:30AM. Large modern orthodox synagogue, popular with students.
• Ramgarhia Sikh Temple, Graham St, +44 121 235-5435. Sikh Temple in central Birmingham.
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Harborne Ward, Lordswood Road, +44 121 427-9291. Typical meetinghouse, with services at 10AM on Sundays.
• Shree Geeta Bhawan, 107-117 Heathfield Rd, Lozells (* 46 bus, +44 121 523-7797. M-Sa 9AM-1PM and 5PM-8PM (Tu 9PM), Su 9AM-8PM. Hindu temple, opened in 1967.
• Bull Street Quaker Meeting.

Birmingham Buddhist Centre, 11 Park Rd, Moseley (* 1, #35 or #50 bus, +44 121 449-5279. A centre run by the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order.

Birmingham Central Mosque, 180 Belgrave Middleway, Highgate (* 35 bus, +44 121 440-5355. Daily noon-30 minutes after Isha (exact time of Isha varies with the seasons). Built in 1969, Birmingham was the second purpose-built mosque in the UK (the first was in [[Woking]]). The working capacity is 2500, though this is expanded during special events such as Eid. Tour groups should book at least two weeks in advance.

Birmingham Central Synagogue, 133 Pershore Rd, +44 121 440-4044. M Th from 7:15AM, Tu W F from 7:30AM, Sa from 9:30AM, Su from 8:30AM. Large modern orthodox synagogue, popular with students.

Ramgarhia Sikh Temple, Graham St, +44 121 235-5435. Sikh Temple in central Birmingham.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Harborne Ward, Lordswood Road, +44 121 427-9291. Typical meetinghouse, with services at 10AM on Sundays.

Shree Geeta Bhawan, 107-117 Heathfield Rd, Lozells (* 46 bus, +44 121 523-7797. M-Sa 9AM-1PM and 5PM-8PM (Tu 9PM), Su 9AM-8PM. Hindu temple, opened in 1967.

Bull Street Quaker Meeting.

As with the rest of the UK, in any emergency call 999 or 112 (from a landline if you can) and ask for ambulance, fire or police when connected. For non-emergency police matters, such as reporting crimes after they have occurred, lost property, etc.) call 101.

In general, Birmingham is a safe city. However, like most large cities, there are some good and bad areas. Certain suburbs (see below) have had their share of gun crime problems, but these are extremely unlikely to affect you unless you make yourself part of the larger drug gang problem. Avoid any offers of cheap drugs as you might be lured into a secluded place and then robbed.

Muggers in Birmingham tend to operate in groups of two or three, typically one will ask you a question (to judge whether you are local or likely to hit back) while the others move in behind you so they can force you to the ground. If you find this happening to you, then move to the side, so you have a clear escape path and cannot be grabbed from the rear.

The city centre is well-policed. The only trouble you might witness is a small scuffle on the Broad Street nightlife quarter as the nightclubs turn out in the early hours of the morning. However, take care at either end of Broad Street where the traffic flow speeds up.

It is advisable to stay away from the city centre when football matches between the city's two professional teams occur. Some fans of Aston Villa and Birmingham City have a violent and raw hatred for each other, and violent clashes between them are a common occurrence on match days. On other days, when the teams are playing at home against other teams, it is less likely for major violence to occur in the city centre, but you may encounter pubs full of chanting football supporters, and this may be intimidating (and really annoying) for tourists.

As usual, common sense will keep you safe, avoid walking alone in deserted or poorly-lit areas, especially at night, keep your wits about you at cash machines, and do not get into unmarked taxis. Private hire cars must be pre-booked; black cabs may be hailed. The only higher crime-rate areas that tourists might want to visit are Aston and Sparkbrook: even these are fairly safe during daylight. Canal towpaths at night, if relatively near a road access point, can also be hazardous.

Avoid people who offer you a free "stress test" (especially in New Street, near the junction with Ethel Street) as they are trying to recruit you into the Church of Scientology.

• City Hospital (A&E), Dudley Rd (* 80, #82 or #87 bus, +44 121 554 3801. Daily 24 hours.
• Birmingham Central police station, Snow Hill Queensway (near Snow Hill railway station, 0845 113 5000 (non-geographic number). Daily 24 hours.

City Hospital (A&E), Dudley Rd (* 80, #82 or #87 bus, +44 121 554 3801. Daily 24 hours.

Birmingham Central police station, Snow Hill Queensway (near Snow Hill railway station, 0845 113 5000 (non-geographic number). Daily 24 hours.

Map of places with Wikivoyage articles nearby

• Solihull Contiguous with Birmingham, to the south, includes museums and the National Exhibition Centre.
• Walsall Contiguous with Birmingham, to the north, includes museums and the New Art Gallery Walsall.
• Ironbridge
• London — Virgin Trains is the main operator of trains between London and Birmingham with trains every 20 minutes and a journey time of around 1 hour 20 minutes. They are operated by fast (up to 125 mph) and modern Pendolino trains. These can be cheap if you get an Advance fare from £5 single, but if you are buying tickets on the day or there are no cheap tickets left, it may be worth using one of the two other operators listed below. Chiltern Railways and London Midland run frequent half-hourly/hourly services between Birmingham and London. These take noticeably longer than Virgin Trains, 1 hour 40 minutes - 2 hours 20 minutes, but cheap flexible tickets at around half of the Virgin Trains price can be bought at any time. For example an Off-Peak adult return ticket from London to Birmingham costs £23 (Super Off-Peak) with London Midland, £28.90 (Super Off-Peak) with Chiltern Railways, but £50.50 with any operator, including Virgin Trains. Both Megabus and National Express run several services an hour to London, and competition has lowered the cheapest fares to £1 or less.

[[Solihull]] Contiguous with Birmingham, to the south, includes museums and the National Exhibition Centre.

[[Walsall]] Contiguous with Birmingham, to the north, includes museums and the New Art Gallery Walsall.

[[Ironbridge]]

[[London]] — Virgin Trains is the main operator of trains between London and Birmingham with trains every 20 minutes and a journey time of around 1 hour 20 minutes. They are operated by fast (up to 125 mph) and modern Pendolino trains. These can be cheap if you get an Advance fare from £5 single, but if you are buying tickets on the day or there are no cheap tickets left, it may be worth using one of the two other operators listed below. Chiltern Railways and London Midland run frequent half-hourly/hourly services between Birmingham and [[London]]. These take noticeably longer than Virgin Trains, 1 hour 40 minutes - 2 hours 20 minutes, but cheap flexible tickets at around half of the Virgin Trains price can be bought at any time. For example an Off-Peak adult return ticket from London to Birmingham costs £23 (Super Off-Peak) with London Midland, £28.90 (Super Off-Peak) with Chiltern Railways, but £50.50 with any operator, including Virgin Trains. Both Megabus and National Express run several services an hour to [[London]], and competition has lowered the cheapest fares to £1 or less.