City of one thousand lights: Birmingham

As our plane descends, our sight is enchanted by the enormous green fields that encircle the city of Birmingham. Situated in the West-Midlands region of England, Birmingham lies at such a position that it almost holds the centre of what is known as the ‘historic heart of England’, where traces of many a medieval town still remain. This quality offers the city a different kind of importance, for the thrill it offers with its gorgeous shopping centres is doubled with the journey it offers into the depths of Britain’s history.
Birmingham is considered to be the second largest city of England. It has a big airport and an efficient railway web, which makes it quite easy to get around. As we leave the airport, we take the first train to the city centre. We are planning to have a quick look at the city, to breathe its unique air. The following day will see a high-rhythm tour of the city. I would like to remind you that there are three big railway stations at the city centre. This may give you an idea about the tourist flow and size of the city.
Unjust promotional campaignBirmingham is mainly famous for being an industrial city. The city's reputation was strengthened as a powerhouse of the Industrial Revolution in Britain. The city was referred to as "the workshop of the world" or the "city of a thousand trades". Today, nothing so old or historic is observable at the city centre. For today's Birmingham is chiefly a product of the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, as its real growth began with the Industrial Revolution.
Mainly Birmingham is marked with being the centre of bubbling nightlife and scintillating shopping. However, this seems to me a monocular way of promoting the city as there is so much in Birmingham both historically and artistically. Not to mention the 17th and 18th century houses scattered around the city; museums in Birmingham boast an elite selection of paintings ranging from those of Rubens, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Monet, Renoir, Degas, and René Magritte. Housing also a science museum, botanical gardens and jewellery quarter; Birmingham is home to two famous football clubs: Aston Villa and Birmingham City. The famous City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, a prominent orchestra worldwide-acknowledged for their memorable performances, offers you an unforgettable soirée of classical music in the gorgeous Symphony Hall. You may get a chance to watch one of the amazing performances of Birmingham Royal Ballet. In brief, Birmingham has something to offer for every taste.
Victoria Square: the heart of the cityWe head for the Victoria Square, which is one of the most vibrant places in the city centre. Crowned with the Victorian-style architecture of Birmingham City Council on one side and Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery on the other, the square is adorned with Dhruva Mistry's sculpture, 'The River'. Everyone is very relaxed in this square, either sunbathing, having a break, taking a drink, or watching spontaneous dance and music shows held in the open space. Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery boasts having the largest collection of Pre-Raphealite art in the world. Do not overlook this experience!
One of the most beautiful buildings in the city centre, Birmingham Cathedral is very close to Victoria Square. I do not want to turn back to the hotel without seeing the four famous Pre-Raphaelite stained-glass windows by Sir Edward Burne-Jones.
Another thing to do before going to the hotel is of course stopping by a pub and drink beer. A tiring day of a long flight can only be celebrated with a lazy ending. Leaving the Victoria Square behind, we head for Brindley Place, a popular waterfront location combining restaurants, bars, cafés and shops. This is the right place for many people who wish to have good food in a pleasant atmosphere. We stop here and sip our drinks taking delight from the enchanting sight of the canal.
Historic heritage of BirminghamAs there is a lot to see in Birmingham, we leave our hotel early in the morning and head for an exceptional experience: Blakesley Hall. This is a 17th century house, still preserving its Tudor style. Delightfully restored, this handsome timber-framed Yeoman farmer’s house is one of the last surviving examples of its kind in Birmingham. Conveniently decorated to reflect the life-style of its time, the house opens a gate into the world of the Tudors. The wood flooring, oak-tree furnishings, painted wall hangings, and specially-designed settings in the rooms promise an unforgettable journey into the past. What is more, Blakesley Hall is set in landscaped grounds with a beautiful herb garden, which supply the owners with various herbs for pharmaceutical purposes, and an orchard.
Another experience of the Tudors is Selly Manor which is home to a stunning collection of furniture dating from 1500 to 1750.
Leaving the enchanting atmosphere of Tudor homes behind, we head for Sarehole Mill, which is rumoured to have provided early inspiration to J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of ‘Lord of the Rings’. A part of the official Tolkien Trail, Sarehole Mill is the only working watermill in Birmingham. The mill we see today was built in the 18th century; however historic evidence shows that there has been a mill on the site since 1542. Sarehole Mill houses various displays of agricultural implements and industrial machinery. Besides, it is located in the exquisite Shire Country Park, which is haven for birds and all kinds of wildlife. If you have the time, a stroll in the park might be relaxing and peaceful.
If you would like to make the most of Birmingham, you need to be on your feet. Fortunately, you can access most places by using the in-city buses.
Our next stop is Soho House. This elegant home once belonged to the industrial pioneer Matthew Boulton, who lived here from 1766 to 1809. This splendid house was the meeting place of Lunar Society – the greatest thinkers and scientists of the age. To much of our dismay, the owner of the house, Boulton, was also an artisan. His works, ranging from silver to ormolu, coins and cut steel are on display at the Soho House. As we walk along the rooms, richly decorated, the house manifests itself like a work of art.
There is the advantage of seeing a high-fashioned Jacobean house in Birmingham; and if you have never seen one before, you must head for Aston Hall. This house dates back to 1618 and boasts of unimaginably beautiful plasterwork, ceilings and exquisite friezes, a magnificent carved oak staircase and a spectacular Long Gallery. The textiles, furniture and paintings are a distinct pleasure to look at.
As the sun sets out to wane, we prepare our minds for a romantic evening and head for the canal to take a boat tour along. Just beside the Brindley Place, there are many boats moored waiting to take passengers on a sweet cruise along the canal. I think it is the best thing to do in order to relax after a tiring day, before hitting the shops.
As our boat sails on accompanied by ducks by the canal, we are charmed by the reflection of cloudy skies on the water.
Unlimited shoppingThere is no limit to shopping in Birmingham. The main street where the shops are located and people flock all day long is New Street. You may find expensive and chic shops side-by-side with the moderate ones. This means shopping for everyone! If you are not yet a shopaholic on your way to Birmingham, you will become one!
Besides moderate shopping centres such as Pallasades and Mailbox, Birmingham has one of the biggest shopping centres in Europe: Bullring. Built at a cost of over £500 million, Bullring brings over 26 football pitches worth of shops, boutiques and restaurants into the centre of town. Situated just at the opposite of the medieval church of St. Martin, Bullring creates a unique effect with its striking contemporary architecture.
Rubens, locomotives and precious gemsAnother day in Birmingham must be devoted to museums. Fascinating with its rich collection ranging from Rubens, Gainsborough, Turner and Rossetti to Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh, Picasso, and Magritte; the Barber Institute of Fine Arts should not be overlooked. Besides key paintings, the institute also offers a regular programme of exhibitions and concerts.
A must-visit museum is Think-tank science museum in Birmingham, renowned as an industrial city. This is a truly modern museum where visitors can investigate everything from locomotives and space travel to intestines and robots. I highly recommend you to take a tour of the night sky in the amazing digital planetarium. It is a matchless experience.
Seductive with the name for the ladies, the Jewellery Quarter is a unique area, which dates back to 250 years. Home to 400 jewellery businesses, the quarter has been described by English Heritage as a unique historic environment in England which has few, if any, parallels in Europe. Visitors should not miss a visit to the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, based in an old jewellery factory. You can take a guided tour and learn about the history of the gems and the craft of jewellery making. Do not be afraid to shop in the Jewellery Quarter. One cannot help it anyway while surrounded by exclusive and elegant examples of handcrafted jewellery! Unexpectedly, the prices are competitive and affordable for an everlasting souvenir that will mark your Birmingham trip.
England is blessed with miles long green fields, which is a feast to the eyes and the soul. Birmingham is no exception. However, one must not leave without visiting the huge Botanical Garden & Glasshouse and Birmingham Nature Centre. Housing finest collection of plants in the Midlands, Botanical Garden is fifteen acres wide. The four glasshouses situated within contain a wide array of exotic and economic flora. On the other hand, Birmingham Nature Centre is home to over 130 species of animals, including the amazing red pandas, meerkats, guinea pigs, owls, snakes and lizards. Great fun for children is at hand in this environment.
Sweet world of CadburyAnother children attraction is without doubt the Cadbury World. Here you can enjoy the taste of Cadbury’s chocolate and discover its history and origins. Packed with chocolate, information and fun, an unmatchable experience awaits young and adult alike in the world of Cadbury.
As we step in the magical world of Cadbury, we are taken to Aztec Forests where the story of chocolate begins in the 600 AD. Travelling back through the centuries to the time of the Mayan Indians and the Aztecs, we walk through their forests and witness how cocoa became central to their way of life. We discover who was responsible for bringing the secret of chocolate to Europe. Then we meet Mr. John Cadbury who initiated the Cadbury today. He and his sons tell us about the story of how their family business developed. Next step is more and maybe the most thrilling one: How Cadbury chocolate is made. It is impossible not to be enchanted as we see the appetizing liquid chocolate pouring slowly. A peerless experience and a must for visitors of Birmingham...