PalenQ

I am pondering a day trip from London to Birmingham this Feb - and though i have been there for a quick look long ago - a look then that did not inspire me to return to what i remember as a boring cement 60s type city centre, i know things have changed greatly in English cities in recent years.

Last Feb i day tripped to Manchester and absolutely loved it - esp the restored old Victorian industrial area by the ITN studios. I have to return to see more - like the Salford Quays

But what should i expect in Birmingham today - something of a renaissance like it seems Manchester has gone thru and a very pleasant and lively town centre?

My hunch is that, like in most things i think, Birmingham will not measure up to Manchester (like football, etc.) but hopefully will be wrong. I know Birmingham New Street Station is often called the ugliest in Britain (and that means really ugly) and i hope that is not a harbinger of the whole town. And that Ozzie Osbourne is a Broomie - that does not portend well either.

What should i expect and do in Birmingham - esp like old Victorian industrial detritus like canals, etc.

Thanks in advance.

PS - will i need a translator to understand locals (again Ozzie Osbourne comes to mind)

Cholmondley_Warner

What should i expect and do in Birmingham - esp like old Victorian industrial detritus like canals, etc.>>>>

Birmingham famously has more canals than venice.

You'd like it. It has moved on from it's industrial past and kept some of the buildings. The rest has been rebuilt - especially the worst of the 70s stuff (When a telly prog wanted to film 70s Birmingham they had to film in Hammersmith as the concrete horrors in Brum have gone).

You'd like the Jewellery Quarter I think - then go for a balti (invented in Brum) in Balsall Heath (another multi cultural place you'd like).

lilaki

we went to birmingham for three days last fall - we were visiting family there. we spent a few hours at the cadbury HQ, then a few hours @ bullring, and then saw a classical music concert at the newly revamped concert hall.

i would definitely scrap going to cadbury for the tour etc. - very kitschy (our relatives insisted on taking us!) - although, the company store was a great place to stock up on chocolates and gifts for those at home.

we loved london and would go back in a heartbeat ... b-ham didn't leave us wanting to go back, other than to spend time with relatives.

PalenQ

lil- what pray tell is the <bullring> - not what is sounds i hope. thanks

CW - thanks for the lowdown - i value your inputs greatly - Green St was a great find for me.

lilaki

http://www.bullring.co.uk/website/default.aspx

very cool structure ... shopping was fine ... although, shopping in london was better.

chartley

We did a day trip to Birmingham last year, specifically to visit three places.

The first was the Roman Catholic Cathedral. Despite what is now a poor location, this gothic revival building designed by Pugin is absolutely stunning inside.

The second place is the Musuem & Art Gallery, which has an impressive collection of Victorian and Pre-Raphaelite paintings. It is almost too rich a feast for the eyes. There is also a magnificent Edwardian tea room at the art gallery, at which tipping the staff is expressly prohibited.

The third attraction was some Victorian back-to-back houses, which are now owned by the National Trust. These give a good idea of how the population used to live at various periods. There is a guided tour, and you have to book in advance.

flanneruk

Talking of Birmingham Cathedral.

It houses the relics of St Chad, officially the patron saint of bent elections, on account of both that's how he got his job as Bishop of Mercia, and they named the hanging thingies after him. Most US election years, his feast (March 2) roughly coincides with Super Tuesday (I'm not making this up. Honest)

The Archbish makes a big thing of the saint's feast day. Any American interested in politics and in Britain in late winter should aim to be at St Chad's that day.

chartley

Since we know you are a railway enthusiast, are you aware that from the new December timetable Virgin trains to Birmingham run every 20 minutes, and the journey time is under 1 hour 30 minutes?

You can also have a ride on the tram from Birmingham to Wolverhampton.

PalenQ

chartley - thanks for that update - finally got pendolinos to reach potential i guess.

As i have a BritRail Pass i always try to ride Virgin trains - 1st class pass and in first class on Virgin you get so so much complimentary food and drink - really nice meals really, for a train and constantly on coffee, etc.

thanks for the tram as well - i was going to ask if Birmingham had trams like Manchester.
thanks again

Cholmondley_Warner

No it doesn't have trams. It used to be the centre of the British motor industry and as such was built for the car.

chartley

Chumley, you Londoners should get out more. Have a look at this website - www.travelmetro.co.uk/ - and then tell me that Birmingham doesn't have trams.

Just like Croydon doesn't.