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 Variety of boat trips offered |
Brindley place All Saints Street Birmingham B18 United Kingdom +44 121 507 0477 |
The National Sea Life Centre at Brindleyplace is the appropriate starting point for all boat trips offered by this company. Birthday parties, school trips, weddings and corporate hospitality are all in the repertoire, and boats have a bar with light refreshments available. Music of your own choice will pipe you aboard and send you on your way. Please call for further details on facilities, departure times and prices. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 World-renowned art |
Chamberlain Square Birmingham B3 3DH United Kingdom +44 121 303 2834 / +44 121 303 1966 http://www.bmag.org.uk/ |
Housing one of the world's finest collections of Pre-Raphaelite art, with works by Rossetti, Ford Madox Brown and Holman Hunt, Birmingham's principal museum and gallery is located in a stunning Victorian building. The museum displays works by British and European artists, along with collections of ceramics, sculpture, silver and stained glass. You can also find archaeological, ethnographical and local history exhibits, including Egyptian mummies. Admission is free; voluntary contributions appreciated. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Lindsay Lovell |
 Photo: Rachel Tomlinson |
 Photo: Alan Saunders  |
 Photo: Jay Tabor |
 Photo: Alan Saunders |
 Photo: Yi-Ying Lee |
 Photo: Crystal Hudgeons |
 Photo: Derek Morrison |
 Photo: Helen Peake |
 Photo: petercastleton |
 Photo: Jamie Burrell |
 Photo: THALITA ARRÉ |
 Photo: Deedra & Amy in Birmingham |
 Photo: Daryl Perez |
 Ladies-only gym |
105 New StB2 Birmingham B2 4HD United Kingdom +44 121 643 3399 |
If you think gyms are not for you because you're too overweight or too old, then think again. The message from Curves is that whatever shape you're in, they can help you improve your fitness. This is a ladies-only gym (as the name might suggest) and it is conveniently situated in the city center in the midst of the main shopping areas. The latest equipment is available here and there's no shortage of personal advice and help if you need it. Beauty treatments are also on offer. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Fight flab |
41 Smallbrook Queensway Birmingham B5 4HQ United Kingdom +44 121 643 8712 |
Want to get slim and shapely for summer? Or how about ridding yourself of the extra pounds you piled on during the winter months? Curves has been around for 28 years and has gymnasiums, cardio vascular machines and aerobic studios to help keep your body in trim. If you want to beautify as well as tone, then there are beauty salons, sauna baths and suntanning beds. During the week the centre is open until 9p, allowing you to go and beat your body for an hour or two after work. This gym is unisex, but the company has another centre on New Street that is exclusively for women. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Magical History Tour |
Great Barr Street Birmingham B5 United Kingdom +44 121 643 2514 http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/G... |
A self-guided tour (full details and a map are available from local tourist information centres), the trail goes through Digbeth, not far from the city centre. It's actually one of the oldest parts of the city and much of it was burned down by Prince Rupert during the Civil War. The Tuck Trail concentrates on the marvellous old surviving buildings from the Industrial Revolution onwards and introduces the visitor to some of the historical characters of this fascinating area. Digbeth is currently undergoing redevelopment—but it is being done sympathetically, with an emphasis on keeping the best of the old buildings and converting them to other uses. The Custard Factory arts centre (which was a custard factory, hence the name) is an example of this. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Steaming Ahead |
(at Broadway Road) Birmingham, Gloucesteshire GL54 5DT United Kingdom +44 124 262 1405 http://www.gwsr.com |
This railway was built in the 19th century and once provided links from Birmingham to Cheltenham. A team of enthusiastic volunteers has been working on the line since the early 1980s and while it runs on a limited line at the moment, there are plans to extend it further. However, it does run through some beautiful Vale of Evesham countryside and the Malvern Hills. There are various special excursions and there are courses for those who have always had a hankering to be an engine driver. Contact the station for timetable details. See website for complete particulars. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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City centre health club |
42-44 The Priory Queensway Birmingham B4 7LA United Kingdom +44 121 236 7789 |
With a location in the heart of the city, this health and fitness club couldn't be more convenient for the stressed out office worker. It is one of a chain of nationwide health clubs and offers the very latest equipment in luxurious, air-conditioned surroundings. Qualified instructors are always on hand to offer advice to newcomers. After working out (or taking a swim in the 18m pool), clients can relax in the steam room and sauna. Ring the club for full details of current membership fees etc. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Birmingham's most famous industry |
75–79 Vyse Street Hockley Birmingham B18 6HA United Kingdom +44 121 554 3598 |
The jewellery industry developed in Birmingham from the mid-19th century. The Museum of the Jewellery Quarter is an award-winning working museum which offers a guided tour around a real jewellery factory, showing you all the different aspects of jewellery in the 19th century and also highlighting the work of new designers. There is a tea room, in case you need refreshments, plus a shop from which you can purchase souvenirs, books and jewellery. If English is not your mother tongue, then you can will find guided tours on tape in French, Hindi, Japanese, Spanish and German. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Fantastical fish |
The Waters Edge, Brindleyplace Birmingham B1 2HL United Kingdom +44 121 633 4700 http://www.sealife.co.uk/ |
One of the most popular tourist destinations in the city, the National Sea Life Centre cost an estimated GBP5m to build. One of the most thrilling things about this aquarium is its 360° transparent tunnel, which lets you stand in the middle of the ocean while sharks and other aquatic life forms swim around you. There are 55 displays in total, including the "Kingdom of the Seahorse" and "Claws," featuring the giant Japanese spider crab amongst other fearsome crustacea. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Mark |
 Photo: Libby Hayward |
 Photo: goldy fk@fishkeeping.co.uk |
 Photo: caroline.stokes |
 Photo: Janey Woo |
 Photo: Alex Richards |
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Paintballing action |
32 Regents Place Birmingham B1 3NJ United Kingdom +44 121 236 0022 |
If you want to get some fresh air and exercise, whilst letting off steam shooting at your friends and colleagues, Paintball Park is worth a call. Paintballing, if you haven't experienced it, is a combat and adventure game in which players are armed with guns that shoot paint pellets. Paintball Park runs various combat scenarios in 200 acres of countryside. There are evening games in the summer, when daylight permits, and individual parties and corporate groups are catered for. Call for a free information pack. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Summertime canal trips |
2 Kingston Row Birmingham B1 2JT United Kingdom +44 121 236 7057 |
As Birmingham has so many canals, a boat trip can be a pleasant way to spend an afternoon - and to see some of the canalside sights. Parties Afloat offers a series of regular trips lasting from an hour to an hour and a half. Operating from Gas Street Basin, just off Broad Street, the cruises are usually available during the summer. Private boat trips to places such as Cadbury World and the Black Country Living Museum are also available, and the boat can be chartered for parties of up to 46 people. The boat has a licensed bar and serves refreshments. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Indoor climbing |
A. B. Row Birmingham B4 7 United Kingdom +44 121 359 6419 http://www.rockface.co.uk/ |
The Rockface, Europe's premier indoor climbing centre, gives people the chance to climb, abseil, cave and even walk across rope bridges. It also hosts the British Indoor Climbing Championships and British Team Trials. The centre offers tailored packages for groups and individuals, and encourages family participation. The core belief here is that "climbing and caving should be accessible to everybody regardless of age, race, sex and ability." The Rockface is easy to locate, situated just off the Birmingham Ring Road, about 10 minutes walk from New Street station. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Float through Birmingham |
Gas Street Birmingham B1 2JU United Kingdom +44 121 236 9811 (Souvenir Shop) / +44 8000 15 1153 (Toll free) http://www.secondcityboats.co.uk/ |
Birmingham has more canals than any other city in the country. Second City offers canal cruises for anytime you feel like a trip by water - even throughout the night. There are regular boat trips along the canals and destinations include the Black Country Museum. It is possible to charter boats for private parties - ring for details. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: David Reinhardt |
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Sentimental steam-driven journey |
Snow Hill Station Birmingham B19 1AA United Kingdom http://www.shakespeareexpress.com |
Billed as England's fastest regular steam train, this is a nostalgic way to get from Birmingham to Stratford-upon-Avon. It generally runs four times a day during the summer from Snow Hill Station, and an adult return ticket costs £15. The train stops at Tyseley only (for the Railway Museum) and takes about an hour and ten minutes to get to Shakespeare's home town. This is certainly the most romantic means of reaching Stratford, Birmingham's most well-loved of neighbors. Review © 2007, Wcities |