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Once named
 Beautiful manicured gardens |
Westbourne Road Edgbaston Birmingham B15 3TR United Kingdom +44 121 454 1860 / +44 121 454 1860 http://www.birminghambotanical... |
These fine gardens, opened in 1832, were designed by John Claudius Loudon, a leading garden planner and horticultural journalist. The gardens offer you the chance to see some of the most beautiful greenery in the world along with stunning glasshouses. Attractions besides plants include: indoor aviaries, a restaurant with a fantastic view of the gardens, a children's adventure playground, a gift shop and plant centre and a gallery displaying work by local artists. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Erin Evans |
 Photo: Caroline  |
 Photo: Ben Contratto |
 Photo: Jason Weathers |
 Photo: Keith Hatton |
 Photo: Deborah Morris |
 Photo: kparrish |
 Photo: Marnie Webb |
 Photo: George Smyly |
 Photo: Rachel Clarke |
 Photo: Ginger Campbell, MD |
 Photo: speed42 |
 Photo: studom |
 Photo: Jessica Langston |
 Photo: Alice Green |
 Photo: Carl S Rix |
 Photo: Henry Cooke |
 Photo: Allen Herron |
 Photo: Katherine Cotney |
 Photo: Mrs Sheila Hess. |
 Photo: Robert Lamar |
 Photo: Christine Womack |
 Photo: David Treece. |
 Photo: jayap1 |
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Local government HQ |
Victoria Square Birmingham B1 1BD United Kingdom +44 121 303 9944 |
The Council House is the seat of local government in Birmingham. Designed by Yeoville Thomason, it opened in 1878. The Town Hall was built by J A Hanson and E Welch and was based on the design of an ancient Roman temple of Castor and Pollux. The Hall was principally built for the Triennial Music Festival and the cost of construction was about £50,000 - quite a sum for the time. Although the Town Hall was actually opened in 1834, it wasn't completed until 1849 due to financial problems. Both buildings are in wonderful condition and create an imposing impression on newcomers to the city. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Simon Harrison |
 Photo: joe |
 Photo: Ben Jones |
 Photo: Matt |
 Photo: Prady Gadaria |
 Photo: K Fackrell |
 Photo: Mark Lilly |
 Photo: Simon Latham |
 Photo: michelle deakin |
 Photo: alan1348 |
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Renovated glory |
Broad Street Birmingham B1 2AE United Kingdom +44 (0)121 693 6300 |
Centenary Square is the focal point of Birmingham's New Year's Eve celebrations, which involve a huge firework display every year. It's found near the International Convention Centre, Birmingham Repertory Theatre and Hall of Memory. The square is a popular meeting place, comprising a wide open plaza with cultivated gardens. The floor of the square is laid out to resemble a Persian carpet and leads to a controversial sculpture called "Forward" by Raymond Mason. It is certainly striking, and children love to play among its figures and to use it as an impromptu climbing frame. Since the square was opened in 1991 it has been popular with both tourists and locals, providing a perfect place to relax just minutes from the bustling city centre. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Ian Oakhill |
 Photo: Don Swift |
 Photo: michael hughes |
 Photo: Gobbolino the witch's cat |
 Photo: David Davies |
 Photo: Carl Ebrey |
 Photo: mikeserieys |
 Photo: Tracey Griffith |
 Photo: Carolyn Wright |
 Photo: Jonathan Godsell |
 Photo: air babble |
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A picturesque plaza |
Chamberlain Square Birmingham B3 3HQ United Kingdom +44 121 693 6300 |
The square is named after one of Birmingham's famous mayors, Joseph Chamberlain. The Central Library and Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery are located here, as is the focal point, the Chamberlain Memorial Fountain. There is also a very lifelike statue of Thomas Attwood, a famous Birmingham banker and MP. He lies reading on the steps leading up to the library and has often been known to seriously confuse the unwitting passer-by. The Square is a busy thoroughfare and a popular place to see for both locals and visitors alike. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: CharXlotte |
 Photo: Julia Gilbert |
 Photo: BenHyperspace |
 Photo: Row 17 |
 Photo: Stephan |
 Photo: David Potts |
 Photo: David Falkner |
 Photo: Harshil Shah |
 Photo: Dave & Jenny Banks |
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One of the UK's Best Cricket Facilities |
Edgbaston Road Birmingham B5 7QU United Kingdom +44 0870 062 1902 http://cricketcentre.edgbaston... |
Home to the Warwickshire County Cricket Club, the Cricket Centre features a multi-purpose main arena, a bar, restaurant and lounge area, cricket equipment showroom and shop, viewing gallery and balcony, conference and lecture room, and a physiotherapy unit. The Centre hosts numerous events including indoor cricket competitions, cricket coaching, birthday parties, guided tours and more. Check website for upcoming events. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Stewart Marshall |
 Photo: Olly Benson |
 Photo: Matt Sellers |
 Photo: John Clayton |
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Lest we forget |
Centenary Square Birmingham B1 2DY United Kingdom |
An imposing building of white Portland stone, the Hall of Memory is a fitting tribute to the fallen in all major conflicts of the 20th century. It is located in a prominent position near the International Convention Centre. The focus of Remembrance Day activities in the city, it has sculptures representing the armed services on each of its sides and inside are books with the names of those who lost their lives, as well as impressive stained glass windows. An inscription inside the hall gives the sobering statistics - of 150,000 local people who went off to war, 12,320 fell and 35,000 were disabled. The visitor is reminded to note that their sacrifice was not in vain. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Ivan |
 Photo: stephen boisvert |
 Photo: Maureen Farmer |
 Photo: hongkongwelshiain |
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Monumental folly |
Waterworks Road Edgbaston Birmingham B16 9AL United Kingdom +44 121 643 2514 (Tourist Information) |
Follies—buildings constructed for little or no practical purpose—were all the rage in the 18th century. This is an example built by local landowner John Perrott in the 1750s. It is an unusual octagonal brick tower, 96 feet in height, complete with battlements and Gothic windows. A spiral staircase leads to an upper floor with displays and a tea room. It is open only on Sundays between Easter and September. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Brett Wilde |
 Photo: N Croll |
 Restored Tudor manor house |
Sycamore Road Bournville Birmingham B30 1UB United Kingdom +44 121 472 0199 |
This is a Tudor manor house that has been restored to its former glory, with a superb Tudor garden and a small gift shop. It was originally saved from demolition 100 years ago by George Cadbury (whose Cadbury World is next door) and authentic furnishings were acquired for the building. There are two houses that form the museum and you are able to have a guided tour if you'd like - these are included in the admission. Pre-booked tours for larger parties are also available. In the words of the staff, "We're small but gorgeous!". Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Christopher M. Bainb |
 Photo: The Notorious I.C.Y. |
 Photo: James Thornett |
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Modern sculpture |
Centenary Square Birmingham B1 2AE United Kingdom +44 121 643 2514 |
As redevelopment work in Birmingham gathered pace in the 1990s, so public art was incorporated into the new developments. Spirit of Enterprise is an example, and is unmissable as the visitor crosses Centenary Square towards the International Convention Centre. It is both a sculpture and a water feature, with three bronze dishes supporting heads that are allegories of Commerce, Industry, and Enterprise. Fountains play around the sculpture, not only making an impressive addition to the streetscape but also giving children a chance to soak themselves in hot weather. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Tim Ellis |
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Fantastically ornate building |
Corporation Street Birmingham B4 6QA United Kingdom +44 121 212 6603 |
A real architectural gem, the foundation stone to this beautiful terracotta building was laid by Queen Victoria herself in 1887. It's not to be confused with the modern Queen Elizabeth Courts in nearby Dalton Street—not that you could confuse the two. This monumental edifice is lavishly decorated with fine sculptures and prompted a rash of terracotta buildings elsewhere in the city. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Tim Sargent |
 Photo: Maisie Pike,nee Pinder |
 Photo: Rainer Ebert |
 Photo: Max Groove |