Birmingham, England — Attractions
Barber Institute of Fine Arts
Praised by The Observeras 'one of the finest small art galleries in Europe', the vivid red walls of the enchanting Barber Institute of Fine Arts are adorned with some of the most celebrated art from the 13th to the 20th century. Browsing the robust artworks, visitors are treated to the timeless talents of the old masters and modern pioneers such as Monet, Manet, Gauguin, Van Gogh and Degas. Offering a fascinating collection of paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures, history enthusiasts can also venture into Byzantine times at the coin gallery which hosts one of Europe's finest collections of Byzantine coins. The Barber Institute's Gallery Shop is a worthy stopover for some souvenirs and gallery related literature.
- Region/City Name
- Birmingham
- Address
- University of Birmingham, Edgbaston
- Phone Number
- (0)121 414 7333
- Website
- www.barber.org.uk
- Transport
- Bus 61, 62 and 63 leave the city center for Corporation or Navigation Street, from where commuters can walk to the gallery. Trains leave New Street Station for University Station regularly and take approximately 10 minutes
- Hours
- Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday from 12pm to 5pm. Closed on Good Friday, 24-26 December and New Year's Day
- Admission
- Free
Balti Triangle
Any visit to Birmingham is not complete without visiting the city's curry capital and sampling its unique Balti fare. Originating from the large Kashmiri population, the Balti dish was officially discovered in 1976. The word balti means 'bucket' and refers to the round-bottomed pan, similar to a wok, which the dish is served in. A mouth-watering stir-fried curry with an amalgamation of aromatic spices, fresh herbs and tantalizing masalas, newcomers should forget their knives and forks and mop up the sauce with a wad of aromatic Nan bread. Located in the Sparkbrook area ten minutes from the city center, the Balti Triangle boasts over 50 restaurants dedicated to Eastern cuisine and a smattering of shops, ranging from Asian clothes and fashion to exotic foods and of course Bollywood merchandise.
- Region/City Name
- Birmingham
- Address
- Sparkbrook area
Selfridges Store
A Birmingham landmark, the Selfridges store at the Bullring Market boasts a stylish design proving that contemporary architecture can thrive outside trendy London. Designed by Future Systems' architects, the knobbly silver façade was inspired by Paco Rabanne's chain mail dresses. Constructed with concrete, which was then painted a glowing blue and adorned with 16,000 polished aluminum disks to create a mottled outer skin, the contemporary construction cost just over one million US dollars to build. Transforming Birmingham's urban fabric, the store draws 1000s of visitors each week who come to witness its bizarre design and to browse the designer goodies inside.
- Region/City Name
- Birmingham
- Address
- Upper Mall East, Bullring
- Website
- www.selfridges.co.uk
- Transport
- Bus or train to Moor Street Station or New Street Station
- Hours
- Monday to Friday 10am to 8pm, Saturday 9am to 8pm and Sunday 11am to 5pm.
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
Boasting the largest collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings and drawings in the world, the breathtaking works of Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Edward Burne Jones can be found at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. The spectacular Waterhall gallery of modern art is littered with impressionist masterpieces and is not to be missed on any trip to Birmingham and the same can be said of the Greek, Roman and Ancient Near East gallery, which never ceases to please. With fine art from the 14th century onwards and an impressive collection of archaeological finds, documenting 400,000 years of history visitors will be suitably satisfied. The Edwardian Tea Room provides a cosy space to discuss what you saw and serves warm beverages, light snacks and scrumptious cakes.
- Region/City Name
- Birmingham
- Address
- Chamberlain Square
- Phone Number
- (0)121 303 2834
- Website
- www.bmag.org.uk
- Hours
- Various, see website for details.
- Admission
- Free
Museum of the Jewelry Quarter
Take a journey back in time at the Museum of the Jewelry Quarter. Housed in an original jewelry making factory dating from the early 1900s, the enchanting family run firm of Smith and Pepper provides a window into the ancient craft skills that made Birmingham the center of the British jewelry industry. The factory is presented exactly as it was left when abandoned in 1981, after 80 years of jewelry making, even down to the coffee cups. The museum also uses state of the art technology to unravel the history of jewelry making in the Midlands to newcomers. Over 100 jewelry shops line the streets of the Jewelry Quarter and are a popular attraction for bargain hunters and shoppers looking for a special purchase.
- Region/City Name
- Birmingham
- Address
- 75-79 Vyse Street, Hockley
- Phone Number
- (0)121 554 3598
- Website
- www.bmag.org.uk
- Hours
- Tuesday to Sunday, 11.30am to 4.00pm (summer); Tuesday to Saturday, 11.30am to 4.00pm (winter).
- Admission
- Free
Bullring Markets
Acknowledged as England's 'Best Outdoor Market' in 2008 by the National Association of British Market Authorities, the Bullring Open Market is renowned for its extensive range of fabrics and fresh produce. The market took the illustrious prize on account of its promotion of healthy eating policies and ongoing support of low-income families. Each year more than six million people visit the Bullring Markets, the Indoor Market, housing 140 unique stalls, best known for its fresh fish section. For a good dose of bric-a-brac meander through the smorgasbord of antiques, vintage clothing and cheap trinkets at the Rag Market, which is reminiscent of London's market culture.
- Region/City Name
- Birmingham
- Address
- Bullring Center
- Website
- www.bullringmarkets.com
- Transport
- Bus or train to New Street or Moor Street Station
- Hours
- Indoor Market open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5.30pm. Open Market and Rag Market open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9am to 5pm
Drayton Manor Theme Park
A short drive from Birmingham city center, the Drayton Manor Theme Park offers an exhilarating alternative to shopping and sightseeing. Loaded with more than 50 rides and pale-faced thrills the English media has lauded the park as having 'Britain's scariest rides'. Visitors can drop 177 feet (54m) from the world's first stand up tower, watching the ground race up from below, take a watery plunge in a rescue boat down a slippery 180º platform, fly around one of the parks two swirling rollercoasters or tackle the rapids with friends at Splash Canyon. Family fun at Drayton Manor Theme Park has not been short-circuited either as a plethora of children friendly rides and entertainment from Dragon's Tale to Circus World is provided.
- Region/City Name
- Birmingham
- Address
- Near Tamworthon on A4091, close to Junctions 9 and 10 of the M42
- Phone Number
- 0844 472 1950
- Website
- www.draytonmanor.co.uk
- Hours
- Various, see website for details.
- Admission
- £23 (adults), £19 (children). Concessions available
