BIRMINGHAM


Birmingham city centre skyline


I was born in Birmingham and lived there for 18 years until I went off to university.

It may be aesthetically challenged but England's second-largest city has a lot to be proud of: an important industrial legacy; the Mini; Formula 1 star Nigel Mansell; British pooch-pageant Crufts; more canals than Venice and more curry places than you can shake a naan at. Until recently the city had the pulling power of a sweaty sock, mainly because it looks a bit grim - WWII bombs paved the way for the architecturally embarrassing Bull Ring Shopping Centre and motorway-mess 'Spaghetti Junction' - and sounds even worse - the local accent is regularly voted the least attractive in Britain.


But 'Brum', as the city is affectionately called, is sexing itself up this Millennium. The city centre is undergoing a face-lift and the cultural scene is taking off. Canalside developments are giving the city a trendy cafe society, the local Royal Ballet receives national acclaim, and the Ministry of Sound attracts crowds of clubbers. With excellent heritage museums, top music acts and a kicking nightlife, there are now lots of reasons to check out this Midland city. And there's always curry, of course.




City centre map

Orientation
Surrounded by sprawling motorways, bisected by canals and punctuated by modern shopping centres, Birmingham can seem like a concrete maze. Best to set your bearings on the massive Council House, one of the few 19th-century buildings spared by WWII, which has a domed facade overlooking the pedestrian precinct in the heart of town. This precinct comprises Victoria and Chamberlain Squares, which boast the most attractive architecture in the city. West of here are Centenary Square, the International Convention Centre and Symphony Hall. Also to the west are the trendy bars and cafes of the Gas St/Brindleyplace canalside development. To the northwest is the colourful Jewellery Quarter. Southeast of the pedestrian area are the Pallasades and Pavilions shopping centres and the City Plaza. Birmingham New Street Station is underneath Pallasades, and the Chinese Quarter, home to some of the city's nightlife hotspots, is to the south. St Philip's Cathedral is just east of the Council House. Birmingham International Airport is 8mi (13km) southeast of the city centre.


I like Birmingham now, and I am living here again. It may be a bit grubby but it's a city on the up! And when we get the new Bullring, there'll be no stopping us!!



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