The Best Bits of Birmingham

Birmingham is a busy and bustling city with a rich heritage dating back to the Middle Ages. Indeed, if you fancy taking in some history and culture then head to Aston Hall, a four hundred year old Grade I listed building set in 52 acres of historic parkland.

Blakesley Hall is another place of interest as it is one of the few remaining timber framed buildings in Birmingham. Jam-packed with period furniture and fittings, the hall is an accurate representation of what a typical middle class Tudor home would have looked like.

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery should be an essential stop for culture lovers. Probably most famous for having the largest collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings in the world, all of the displays found here are internationally significant and provide you with a rare opportunity to view pieces that span over seven centuries of European and worldwide history.

Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter is another heritage site that is worth a look. A unique part of the city with Conservation Area status, an estimated 40 per cent of Britain’s jewellery is made here so take a trip if you’re on the hunt for gems and jewels or just fancy a spot of window browsing.

Dating back over 250 years, the jewellery quarter contains Birmingham’s last remaining Georgian Square, Victoria Square. This is also the site of Birmingham's Town Hall, and several public works of art, including the Iron Man and the ' Floozie in the Jacuzzi'.

If classical music is one of your passions then Birmingham’s Symphony Hall is the place for you. Widely regarded as one of the finest concert halls in Europe, prestigious international orchestras are frequent features. Furthermore, the hall is also home to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

Birmingham Royal Ballet is another high quality attraction that features modern new works alongside the classics. Formed in 1990, the Royal Ballet is housed in the Hippodrome building, Great Britain’s busiest theatre.

There are plenty of outdoor attractions to be found in Birmingham too from art installments to canalside walks. It is often said that Birmingham has more miles of canals than Venice and there are five major, and many minor, canals that run within the city boundaries.

Chocolate lovers of all ages will be delighted by the proximity of the village of Bournville to Birmingham. Bournville is best known for its connections with the famous chocolate making Cadbury family and is the site of Cadbury's headquarters. As well as being a fascinating and historic place to visit, Bournville is home to Cadbury World, a chocolate making factory, museum and overall attraction where you can see how Cadburys chocolate is made.

Indeed, with there being so much to see and do, it can prove an idea to plan an itinerary for your trip. And if you are unsure of where to start, then you should be able to pick up additional informational from the Birmingham hotels and local tourist centres on what to do when visiting the city.