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Moving to Birmingham: The First Manufacturing Town in the World

22 Jul 2021

Birmingham is home to some of the world’s greatest scientists and inventors including Mathew Boulton, James Watt and William Murdoch.

Birmingham, a major city in the West Midlands region, is Europe’s youngest city and Britain's second largest city. Famed for the first manufacturing town in the world and hailed as the city of thousand trades, Birmingham withholds unique historical constructions as well as famous cultural heritage. Life here will always grant you the best convenience, whether it is shopping, eating, or visiting beautiful landmarks - there will always be something for everyone.

  1. What makes Birmingham unique?
  2. Birmingham's popular attractions
  3. Nightlife in Birmingham
  4. Sports in Birmingham
  5. Food in Birmingham
  6. Shopping in Birmingham
  7. Festivals and Events in Birmingham
  8. Birmingham living costs
  9. Travel in and around Birmingham
  10. Explore the UK from Birmingham

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1. What makes Birmingham unique?

Birmingham is home to some of the world’s greatest scientists and inventors including Mathew Boulton, James Watt and William Murdoch, the main driving force behind the city’s leading manufacturing town in the world. With the most Michelin star restaurants in the UK, you will always be filled with first-class dining experiences here.

Birmingham also hosts Europe’s largest urban park outside of London, with over 8,000 acres and 600 parks, and one of the UK’s greenest cities. Being one of the youngest and most developed cities in the UK, it is also home to many famous constructions, leading manufacturers, and has become an inspiration for many films including The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.

Home of over 100 Balti houses, and famed for its ‘Balti Triangle,’ Birmingham is known as a famous place for an enriching Indian community. The iconic Indian Balti dish has also contributed to raising the popularity of Indian food in the UK and around the world.

Also a very strong business city, Birmingham also has the highest concentration of jewellery business in Europe.

Famed for its vast water network stretching 35 miles, Birmingham has more canals than even Venice, making it one of the most famous tourist attractions.

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2. Birmingham’s popular attractions

Birmingham is full of fun things to do and unique places to visit. Some you might not want to miss include:

  • Museum & Art Gallery. With 40 museums and art galleries, you are always filled with beautiful artifacts and interesting history. Most notably, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery is famous for containing a collection of works by Pre-Raphaelite painters as well as artwork from the 17th to 19th centuries. Other famous museums include Birmingham Science Museum, Coventry Transport Museum, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, and Black Country Living Museum.
  • Jewellery Quarter. Home to Birmingham’s highest concentration of jewellery business.
  • Victoria Square & Birmingham City Centre. Located in the heart of Birmingham, you can explore the pedestrian-friendly Victoria Square and the Birmingham City Centre Path.
  • National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham. Impressive 60-plus exhibits related to marine life where tourists can take an underwater tunnel.
  • St. Phillips Cathedral. Built in 1715, this church is famous for its stained-glass windows by Burne-Jones (1884).
  • Birmingham Back to Backs. A unique collection of the small ‘back-to-back’ homes that were once prolific throughout the city. This gives tourists unique insight into the often difficult living conditions of the working class people.
  • Cadbury World. One of the city’s largest and most popular attractions. Tourists get to discover the history of chocolate from one of the world’s largest confectioneries.
  • Barber Institute of Fine Arts. Houses an excellent collection of art from the Renaissance to the 20th century and the famous statue of George I.

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3. Nightlife in Birmingham

From hidden speakeasies to award-winning gin spots and innovative meaderies, Birmingham’s bar scene is something you cannot miss.

Whether you are looking for cocktails with friends for a night out, or a posh place to impress a date, Birmingham will fill you with an array of options from the most famous Brum watering hotels, Birmingham cocktail bars, or some of the most exclusive places for live music.

If you fancy some eclectic music, DJs and a vibrant atmosphere, the top 5 exclusive bars include The Jekyll and Hyde, The Botanist, Gas Street Social, Spotlight, and Indico Mailbox.

For a more relaxed and chill evening, you can listen to live music or watch a movie at one of many orchestra theatres or cinemas in Birmingham, including The Electric CInema, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO), Cineworld Birmingham Broad Street, Symphony Hall, The Jam House, The Mockingbird Bar & Theatre, Birmingham Royal Ballet, and The River Rooms.

For a cheerful atmosphere, you can visit The Glee Club that offers award-winning live comedy and music venues in Birmingham. Here, you will have an unforgettable night of laughter from the amazing stand-up comedians and intimate music shows.

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4. Sports in Birmingham

Birmingham is renowned across the world for its competitive sport venues, serving such famous sports as cricket, football, rugby, and speedway.

For football, Birmingham has two famous teams: Aston Villa, part of Premier League where home games are held at Aston Park and Birmingham City, a Football League Championship with home games held at the St. Andrews Stadium.

For speedway, the famous Birmingham Brummies competes in the SGB Championship and is based at Perry Barr Greyhound Stadium.

Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club is also well known in the city for playing in National League 1 and having its home games in the Billesley Common.

Cricket is also a famous sport in Birmingham with the Warwickshire County Cricket Club playing in the County Championship where people can enjoy their home games at Edgbaston Cricket Ground.

Other state-of-the-art facilities open to the public include:

  • Ricoh Arena. Home of Aviva Premiership Rugby club Wasps, Wasp Netball and where Coventry City Football Club plays.
  • Edgbaston Golf Club.
  • Edgbaston Priory Club.

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5. Food in Birmingham

Birmingham is a great place for you to be spoilt with great Michelin star restaurants and an array of excellent fine dining experiences. Birmingham is just a perfect place that caters with an array of dietary types.

For an exclusive and high-class dining experience, you can definitely spend your time at various Michelin-star restaurants including Simpson Restaurant, Adam’s Restaurant, Carters of Moseley, Purnell’s Restaurant, Opheem, and Peel’s Restaurant.

If you are looking for an Asian dining experience, there is the world famous Balti Triangle that lies within the city centre of Birmingham. Being the birthplace of the balti, it is no doubt that this city will offer the best selection of Asian and Indian restaurants. Some famous restaurants include Shababs Balti Restaurant, Imrans Restaurant, Lahore Village Restaurant, Al Frash Balti, Aldil’s, and Carters of Moseley.

With the growing population of vegetarians and vegans, you can also expand your food preference and enjoy some delicious salads and vegetables.

Aside from mouthwatering and fulfilling meals, Birmingham also has some famous dessert shops and tea houses for you to experience. Some of these can be enjoyed at the city’s most luxurious hotels and restaurants.

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6. Shopping in Birmingham

Birmingham is a shopper’s paradise, hosting the famous Bullring & Grand Central, the luxurious Mailbox Birmingham (with 200 of the world’s most desirable brands) and the world-famous Jewellery Quarter.

From Harvey Nicholas to Selfridges Birmingham, to the beautiful arcades and the historic market of Digbeth, your shopping experience in Birmingham will offer you with everything you ever needed. With an attractive and nostalgic compact space where plenty of cafes, restaurants, and bars are located, your shopping experience can hardly be better.

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7. Festivals and vents in Birmingham

Birmingham has a number of eclectic festivals and events throughout the year, including:

  • University of Birmingham Arts & Science Festival. A week-long celebration of research, culture, and collaboration across campus.
  • St. Patrick’s Birmingham. Parades that showcase the diversity of cultures and communities.
  • Flatpack Festival. Mixture of films, performances, contraptions, and surprises.
  • Creation Day Festival Set to Rock West Park. Live music festival.
  • Birmingham International Dance Festival. An award-winning biennial festival that presents a vibrant programme of international dance in venues and public spaces.
  • Birmingham Design Festival. Showcase the city’s design community and raise awareness of this field.
  • Birmingham Indian Film Festival. UK and Europe’s largest South Asian film festival.
  • BE Festival. Aims to turn the notion of conventional theatre into some more unique and different.
  • Birmingham Coffee Festival. Brings together top 40 independent coffee shops and coffee culture experiences from local areas and beyond.
  • Colmore Food Festival. Birmingham’s biggest free-entry food and drink festival.
  • Mostly Jazz, Funk, & Soul Festival. Electric weekend for music with a host of international and local artists.
  • Birmingham Comedy Festival.
  • Birmingham Literature Festival.

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8. Birmingham living costs

Budget guide:

  • One-way ticket (local transport): £2.40
  • Meal out: £10.00
  • Fast food (McDonald’s): £5.57
  • Gasoline (1 Litre): £1.26
  • Cinema ticket: £10.00

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9. Travel in and around Birmingham

Getting around Birmingham has become some of the greatest perks of the city thanks to a fantastic network of public transport including buses, trams, and trains. Being in this well connected city, biking or cycling around Birmingham is also a popular option as you can enjoy and immerse yourself into the open spaces.

By plane

Located just 10 minutes away from the city centre, Birmingham Airport is a global transport hub. With a great transport link and a wide business and leisure route network, this is the perfect gateway to the Birmingham region and beyond.

This is an award-winning airport that serves more than 400 direct or one-stop destinations globally with 50 airlines. It is also Britain’s 5th largest airport with the highest percentage of business travellers, just after London Heathrow.

By train

Birmingham is the heart of Britain's rail network and a transport hub for people traveling throughout the UK. The Birmingham New Street Station alone has the capacity of carrying 52 million passengers yearly. It also provides a quick access to Birmingham International which is Birmingham Airport’s own station stop, providing convenient transportation for people who are looking to fly to or from Birmingham.

For traveling around the city, West Midland Railways is the perfect option for a cheaper and more affordable access.

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10. Explore the UK from Birmingham

Thanks to its excellent Central London with the country’s many famous landmarks and stunning towns and villages, Birmingham is a great base from which to explore the rest of the UK and Europe.

Birmingham is also an ideal place to have a day trip and enter some of the country’s most famous landmarks and tourist attractions.

Ironbridge Gorge

Considered to be the origin of the Industrial Revolution, this village is world famous for its first iron bridge, and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In this place, you will learn everything from the British Industrial Revolution to the most staggering history of the world.

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Alton Towers

Being the UK’s most famous theme park in Staffordshire, it is home to the world famous rides, Nemesis and Oblivion. A great place to enjoy with your children or teenagers.

The Cotswolds - Area of Natural Outstanding Beauty

One of Britain's most charming towns and villages with picturesque views of stone bridges and meandering rivers.

The Peak District

As the oldest national park in the UK, this place not only gathers the world's most beautiful towns and villages but also a great place for people who like outdoor activities. Visiting Peak District also means you are in close proximity to the UK's second largest city, Manchester.

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Warwick Castle

Arguably the best and biggest castle in the UK, it was built for William the conqueror back in 1068. Here, you will experience many beautiful and unique architecture, plus being able to study the staggering history of this wonderful place.

Stratford-upon-Avon

The birthplace of William Shakespeare where you can visit his burial site at the Holy Trinity Church and his cottage on Henley Street. It is always recommended to enjoy one of his famous plays at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Royal Leamington Spa

One of the only two Royal spa towns in the UK, this place is a must visit. Boasted with wonderful Georgian Regency architecture, and an array of shopping commutes, it is a perfect place for a family trip.

The biggest attraction is the Royal Pump House which is home to the Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum and year-round events. With close proximity to Warwick, it is also convenient for you to access the beautiful Warwick Castle and experience beautiful landmarks.