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Birmingham
Shortlisted for the first UK city of culture 2013.
Looking towards the NIA
Birmingham has undergone a massive transformation during the last decade and now takes its rightful place
as one of Europe's finest cities and with a population of around a million people, it is Britain's second largest city.
To the left of the picture(above) is the begining of the Brindley Place development with its fine new bars
and restaurants. In the background is the massive National Indoor Arena which holds many world class events
and to the right, but out of the picture, is the I.C.C. This convention centre is host to many of
Britain's top conventions and was host to the G8 summit in 1997.
In the same building is Symphony Hall which is home to the City of Birmingham Symphony orchestra.
Sir Simon Rattle when he was the orchestra's conductor lobbied Birmingham City council for the new
concert hall and they duly obliged in building one of the world's finest.
Symphony Hall, Birmingham
Another of Birmingham's cultural jewels is the Birmingham Royal Ballet under the leadship of world
renown choreographer David Bintley.This famous company performs at the Birmingham Hippodrome.
The city also holds many sporting events that include two major football teams, Aston Villa and
Birmingham City.It holds major indoor and outdoor Athletic events, the outdoor at Birchfield Harriers
stadium and for the indoor events the NIA.
Warwickshire Cricket Club is in the Birmingham suburb of Edgbaston, not far from the City centre.
Birmingham being in the county of Warwickshire until the government re-organisation of the early 1970s.
Golf is represented by the world famous Belfry course on the outskirts of the city.
Birmingham also has many fine museums and art galleries, but don't miss the city's unique Jewellery
quarter as there are shops packed with beautiful elegant items made in Birmingham.
Birmingham has many fine hotels from international chains to the stylishly individual.
If you are on business or a weekend break then there is a hotel for you in this welcoming city.
For information on Birmingham hotels why not visit www.tripadvisor.co.uk It's not only packed with
hotels to suit every budget but you get to see what previous guests thought about rooms,service etc.
" England is the only great country whose intellectualls are ashamed of their own nationality"
George Orwell
Broad Street with its legendary nightlife
You will find pubs, cafes and restaurants to suit all tastes and pockets it's the area for the
young and the young at heart, but if your taste is for the more traditional then Birmingham has
a great selection of places to eat and drink, from sophisticated Michelin starred restaurants
to grand Victorian pubs and much in between.
Brindley place has some good restaurants as does the Mailbox.
The Bullring has some places to eat as well as its legendary shopping but these tend to be more light bites.
Failure of England to rediscover its culture afresh would only lead to greater political extremism Archbishop of York, John Sentamu
Birmingham Town Hall
Newly refurbished at a cost of 35 million pounds Birmingham Town Hall with its beautiful interior has been restored
to its former glory. It has a rich history with a who's who of famous people who have appeared there including music
from Elgar to the Rolling Stones. In Literature Charles Dickens read passages from his "Christmas Carol"
and from the world of politics Margaret Thatcher to Clement Attlee have all strode the stage of this famous hall.
"I feel sorry for people who don't drink.When they wake up in the morning,thats as good
as they're going to feel all day" Charlie Chaplin.
View in Centenary Square towards Symphony Hall and the international convention centre were the G8 summit
was held in Birmingham in 1998.
"Crime and bad lives are the measure of a states failure, all crime in the end is the crime of the community"
H.G.Wells
The statue in Broad street opposite Centenary Square of Matthew Boulton, James Watt and William Murdock
who all played a major part in Birmingham and Britain's industrial revolution also helping to make it the city of
a thousand trades. To learn more about one of Britain's greatest ever industrialists visit:
The iconic Selfridges building which forms part of the new Bullring shopping centre
"Why not seize the pleasure at once?How often is happiness destroyed by preparation, foolish preparation"
Jane Austen.
Remember to visit the outlook on England online shop where you can find Books,CDs,DVDs with an English theme
at a price you can afford and with our association with Amazon you have speed, security and low prices.
Click on the links below and browse our products with an English theme.
Want to find out more about the exciting City of Birmingham ? Then click on the link below.