Found at the heart of British Isles, Birmingham is a city pulsing with life. Home to a large, multicultural population, an innovative gastronomy scene has developed in the area including some of the best curry restaurants in the country. Beneath the polished architecture and business districts you can discover relics of the Victorian age, when this was the economic powerhouse of the nation.
Step into history
Wander down the old canal tow paths and see colourful barges putter along the calm waters. A warren of canals weave through the city; follow the walking trails alongside for an insight into the workings of the city once known as the workshop of the world. Start at the Bullring Shopping Centre to pass working boat locks and the skeletons of industrial buildings where water laps at the brickwork.
Head north from the centre to admire a Jacobean stately home. Built in the early 17th century, Aston Hall has witnessed the highs and lows of history over the years, including royal visits and a siege during the English Civil War, as well as providing inspiration for celebrated author JRR Tolkien. Unearth artefacts from the war, step foot inside the opulent rooms and stroll through the perfectly manicured gardens where precision topiary complements the symmetrical flower beds.
The ultimate luxury shopping
The historic Jewellery Quarter has been active for 250 years and is home to more than 500 jewelry businesses. Step back into Birmingham’s industrial past in these characterful streets, set amongst the grand Victorian warehouses.
Wander past redbrick buildings adorned with colourful window boxes, spilling over with rainbow flowers, as you search for the perfect diamond ring. Head to the Jewellery Quarter Museum for live demonstrations of this intricate craft in the setting of a perfectly preserved Victorian workshop.
Admire the space-age behemoth of the Bullring Shopping Centre. Step inside this glass chasm and you’ll feel like you’ve just entered a space station. It’s Britain’s biggest mall, home to more than 200 shops and a wealth of brands, including the iconic department store Selfridges.
Discover Birmingham’s foodie scene
The city’s collection of Michelin stars is constantly growing. Pull up a chair at Adam’s, a chic restaurant with an open kitchen. Relax in the sleek interior while the chefs prepare delicately flavored jus, perfectly cooked scallops, and wildflower garnishes in front of your eyes. The setting is small and intimate, so reserve a table online in advance.
Birmingham is famous for its diverse population and its Balti houses. You can’t go wrong with a curry from the ‘Balti Triangle’, a district packed with family-run restaurants in the south-east of the city.
For a really special evening, try the food at Lasan in the Jewellery Quarter. Popular with the locals, enjoy the vibrant atmosphere filled with fast-paced chatter and laughter over samosas. The menu is a unique fusion, combining English produce, such as Devonshire crab and Cornish mackerel, with the punchy flavors of Kashmiri spice.
Tour a chocolate factory
Explore the history of chocolate at Cadbury World. John Cadbury opened his first chocolate factory in the 1830s and moved out to Bourneville in the 1900s, creating a model village around his factory.
Now a large, family-friendly attraction, head to Cadbury World to watch live demonstrations of chocolate production, experience interactive displays and wander through the recreated, Victorian streets.
Whether you’re travelling to Birmingham on a family vacation, with business or as a starting point to a longer UK trip, explore every sight with a rental car.
