he UK’s second largest city, Birmingham is a metropolis that’s teeming with life and
opportunities. Cosmopolitan, diverse, and culturally eclectic, the West Midlands’
capital is inhabited by some 1.1 million residents and climbing. To focus on the
seething mass of humanity that calls the city their home, however, is to miss the
reasons why they came to reside here in the first place.
Birmingham is blessed with a rich history and a vibrant present, one that’s seen it become
a centre of excellence for Michelin-star dining, live music and the arts. Long before the first
tourists flocked to Birmingham (the UK’s fourth most-visited city), it was prized for pioneering
advancements in science, technology and economics. By the late 18th century, the once-
quaint medieval market town was being billed as “the first manufacturing town in the world”.
Fascinating as its storied past may be, what does Birmingham offer the modern traveller to
distinguish it from Britain’s other major cities?
Ultimately, it all comes down to culture; the sort that can reasonably be described as less
ostentatious than that to be found in London. But what it lacks in glitz, it more than makes up
for in grit. Many of Birmingham’s best experiences can be done on a budget, or even for free, be
it a leisurely stroll along the canal or a visit to the BBC’s Public Space where anyone can try their
hand at TV presenting. Even taking in the skyline of Birmingham, which includes the iconic St
Philip’s Cathedral and the Selfridges building, is an experience in itself.
Elsewhere, culture buffs can feast their eyes on the world’s largest collection of pre-Raphaelite art
at BirminghamMuseum and Art Gallery and browse Europe’s largest school
of jewellery in the Jewellery Quarter. For a more contemporary take
on art, The Custard Factory is where the city’s hippest artists can
be found crafting bold and innovative works that challenge the
zeitgeist.
If you know where to look, Birmingham offers a wealth of
enticing options, from accommodation to entertainment.
Without that all-important local knowledge, however,
discovering the West Midlands’ best bars, freshest
seafood restaurants, greatest family attractions
and chirpiest cafes comes down to potluck. The
Entertainment Guide believes that no holiday or
business trip should be dependant upon sheer
serendipity. Your time is too valuable to be spent on
run-of-the-mill attractions and forgettable eateries.
Thankfully, there’s a better way.
As you explore Birmingham – its rock clubs, jazz bars,
football stadiums and Michelin-star restaurants – keep
The Entertainment Guide close at hand on your tablet or
smartphone. From exceptional activity centres to eclectic
shops, we’ve curated the very best local attractions, leaving you
with the simple task of planning your itinerary around them.
INTRODUCTION
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