Travel Guide BIRMINGHAM.
Population993 000

Currency
British Pounds, £1 = 100 cents

Opening hours
Monday - Saturday 9.30 a.m.-6 p.m. Many larger stores are open until 8 p.m. and frequently between 10 a.m.–6 p.m. on Sundays and other public holidays.


Publications
Birmingham Post
Birmingham Evening Mail

Emergency number
999

Tourist office
Address: The Rotunda, 150 New Street
Tel: +44 (121) 202 5099
BIRMINGHAM
iStock, Simon Gurney©
Welcome to BIRMINGHAM
Birmingham is a real gem! Excellent restaurants, good shopping, exciting nightlife and an architectural icon have transformed perceptions of the city. Last but not least – the landscape which inspired JRR Tolkien to write The Lord of the Rings.
do & see

The city
Like many other cities, Birmingham has a link with the Roman Empire. The city was mentioned as far back as 1086 in the Doomsday Book, and developed into an important trade centre from the 12th century onwards.

During the 17th century, a large weapons industry grew up. Amongst others, Birmingham provided Oliver Cromwell’s army with weapons, and later on they supplied Napoleon.

During the golden age of the Industrial Revolution, the city grew rapidly thanks to its supplies of iron, coal and labour. Birmingham subsequently became an important hub in England’s canal and train networks, and these days the city has a network of over 60 km of canals and other waterways, which is more than Venice.

During the Second World War, large areas of the city were destroyed, and a relatively unlovely city centre was rebuilt. In recent years, however, an architectural renaissance has occurred and old squares, streets and waterways have been restored and renovated.

Many typical British brands, frequently world famous brands, have been created here, including Bakelite, Cadbury’s, Brylcreem, HP Sauce and Typhoo Tea. The city’s inhabitants include J. R. R. Tolkien and Ozzy Osbourne.

do & see
Selfridges at The Bullring
This might be a department store, but Future System’s shimmering and organically billowing design for Selfridges has nevertheless become an architectural landmark.
Address: Bullring
Tel: +44 121 632 1500

Chamberlain Square
The square is bounded on one side by John Madin’s – in most people’s opinion - ugly library building. At the other end stands the beautiful Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.
Address: Chamberlain Square

Jewellery Quarter
The Jeweller’s Quarter is worth a visit, especially the museum on Vyse Street.
The Museum of the Jewellery Quarter
Address: 75 - 79 Vyse Street
Tel: +44 121 554 3598

Birmingham Town Hall
Designed by Joseph Hansom and inaugurated in 1832. The site of the premiere of Mendelssohn’s Elijah. The magnificent building is undergoing far-reaching renovation, which will be completed in 2007.
Address: Victoria Square

St. Martin’s
Originally dating from 13th century. The contrast with the futuristic facade of the Bullring shopping centre is extreme, but this does not diminish the value of the church, either visually, historically, or as a meeting place.
Address: Bullring

Sutton Park
Sutton Park is 9.5 kilometres north of Birmingham and is said to be Europe’s largest urban park. It covers all of 9.7 square kilometres (2,400 acres).
Address: Park Road, Sutton Coldfield
Tel: +44 121 355 6370
www.britanonview.com©
Eating | café | event highlights
EATING
It is quite easy to find something good to eat in Birmingham, especially if tasty, creative Indian food is high on your wish list. If you aim for Broad Street, there is a lot to choose from, and excursions to other districts such as the Jewellery Quarter may also be worthwhile.

Peppers Indian Restaurant
Peppers is one of the city’s very best Indian restaurants and the owner, Abdul Hoque, guarantees that the menu is genuine and that the service will be perfect. Malai Tikka is definitely the pièce de resistance.
Address: 5b Fiveways Entertainment, Broad Street
Tel: +44 121 633 4411, www.peppers-uk.co.uk

Jessica’s
One of the city’s sons, Glynn Purnell, has definitely earned his Michelin stars. The fact that the prices are also reasonable and the atmosphere is laid-back only increases its attraction. Ravioli with pork is popular, as is the goat’s cheese with beetroot purée.
Address: 1 Montague Road
Tel: +44 121 455 0999 , www.jessicasrestaurant.co.uk

Shimla Pinks
Prize-winning Shimla Pinks attracts guests from all over the country. Anybody who misses the restaurant’s Koh-E-Avadh, lamb with ginger and garlic, has definitely only himself to blame.Address: 214 Broad Streetk
Tel: +44 121 633 0366, www.ShimlaPinks.co.uk

Zinc Bar & Grill
Sir Terence Conran’s Zinc is pleasantly situated beside one of the canals in the Glassworks Pavilion. On the menu, the Mediterranean flirts with Asia and the noise level in the bar rises when the music gets going in the evenings.
Address: Glassworks Pavilion, Broad Street
Tel: +44 121 200 0620

Tarnished Halo Restaurant & Bar A pleasant meeting place in the Jewellery Quarter. Both the decor and menu make for an exciting mixture. Excellent bar, plus seven rooms for overnight stays.
Address: 21 Ludgate Hill, Tel: +44 121 236 7562

Los Canarios
Unpretentious, surprising and very simple but tasty. Probably one of the few restaurants outside Spain that serves food from Tenerife. Just celebrated its 30th anniversary.
Address: 105 Albert Street, Tel: +44 121 236 3495

Miyako Teppanyaki
Japanese menu which is cooked right beside your table by one of the chefs.
Address: Arcadian Centre, Ladywell Walk
Tel: +44 121 622 5183

Berlioz Restaurant
Book in advance as Berlioz soon gets fully booked. Grand and traditional as well as tasty and well-cooked American and Continental cuisine. Located in the Macdonald Burlington Hotel.
Address: Burlington Arcade, 126 New Street
Tel: +44 121 633 1737

Café
Druckers Vienna Patisserie
Viennese-inspired Druckers serves excellent cakes and buns.
Address: 100 Great Western Arcade
Tel: +44 121 236 6292

Floating Coffee Company
One of the more unusual cafés aboard a houseboat. Very friendly personnel (or should we say crew?).
Address: Brindley Place, Broad Street
Tel: +44 121 633 0050

Cafe Giardino
Small Italian cafe with lunch menu. Perfect for a quick cup of Java!
Address: 30 Martineau Place
Tel: +44 121 236 9205

Puccino’s
Strong coffee and alert personnel. Also sandwiches and other snacks.
Address: 11-12 Bennetts Hill
Tel: +44 121 632 6104
Event highlights
OCTOBER
Birmingham City v West Bromwich Albion
28 Oct
The big one…the local derby between the cities two big rivals!
www.blues.premiumtv.co.uk

Romeo and Juliet
30 Sep – 7 Oct
A spectacular performance of Romeo and Juliet by the Birmingham Royal Ballet troupe!
www.birminghamhippodrome.com

NOVEMBER
The Nutcracker
24 Nov -13 Dec
A festive treat as the Birmingham Royal ballet performs The Nutcracker.
www.birminghamhippodrome.com

Art and Islam – Mohsen Keiany
18 Nov – ongoing
One of a number of exhibitions showcasing the works of artists from the Islamic community!
www.bmag.org.uk/index

DECEMBER
Frankfurt Christmas Market
15 Nov -23 Dec
The largest authentic German market outside of Germany!
www.birmingham.gov.uk

Santa’s Christmas Grotto
18 Nov – 24 Dec
Bring the kids to see Father Christmas in Chamberlain Square.
www.beinbirmingham.com
Bars & nightlife | SHOPPING

BARS & NIGHTLIFE
Birmingham’s night life is as famous as its variation. The range of entertainment changes constantly, and as usual it is best to check the situation when you are there, preferably in the city’s clothes and record shops. Here are a few places to start off with:

Chi
At Chi, mixing cocktails is a serious business. The best bar in Birmingham.
Address: 61 Newhall Street
Tel: +44 121 233 3150

Tarnished Halo Restaurant & Bar
Agile personnel and quick service for relaxed guests. Pleasant environment and always good music.
Address: 21 Ludgate Hill
Tel: +44 121 236 7562

Ink Bar & Salon Privé
Minimalist cube which is quickly filled by well-dressed guests. Outdoor tables if weather permits.
Address: The Mailbox, 117 Wharfside Street
Tel: +44 121 632 1321


52 Degrees North
Hip, and a long guest list for the city’s wannabees. Restrictive admission policy, but once you are inside, there is uninhibited partying.
Address: The Arcadian, Hurst Street
Tel: +44 121 622 5250

The Living Room
The actor, Tim Bacon’s bars have been more successful than his thespian abilities. Always a full house.
Address: Regency Wharf, 2 Broad Street
Tel: +44 121 616 6820

The Medicine Bar
Impressive conversion from factory to party hubbub. Crowded but varied, and the country’s best DJs play here. Always worth checking out.
Address: Custard Factory, 1 Gibb Street
Tel: +44 121 693 6333

sHOPPING
In Birmingham, much of the shopping is concentrated in the Bullring mega-complex. This is where you will find the traditional chains such as Karen Millen, Monsoon, Miss Sixty and HMV. The exception is Apple’s elegant computer shop, full of iPod accessories. The most interesting part, both the inside and the outside, is the highly self-assured Selfridges department store. If you are used to the London store, you should prepare yourself for a somewhat more focused, but still exciting range of goods. As usual, there are a couple of bars and restaurants, plus a grocery department with delicious and exciting products from countries including the USA and Japan.
A stone’s throw from the Bullring is the flea market in Saint Martin’s Market, locally referred to as The Rag. You can find both bargains and sin, especially early in the morning. Vintage clothes, magazines, goods and gadgets. With its 50 years of history, The Rag is still a must in Birmingham.
If you want to buy jewellery, you should head for the unique Jewellery Quarter. Here you can buy anything made from noble metals. “The Golden Triangle” between Warstone Lane and Vyse Street, is the right place to find bargains without ruining yourself. The shops in the area also sell antiques and clocks.
At The Mailbox, previously a mail sorting office on Wharfside Street, there are now fashion shops and galleries. This is where the city has its Harvey Nichols, and shops such as Hugo Boss, DKNY and Armani. On the subject of converted industrial premises, there is also The Custard Factory. About 30 shops of varying quality are housed in the premises on Gib Square. Boisterous but interesting.
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Airports
Birmingham International Airport (BHX) is the fifth largest airport in the United Kingdom and is situated 13 kilometres east of Birmingham. The adjacent train station is reached via a short trip on the free Air-Rail Link bus. Trains then depart for Birmingham every 5-20 minutes all day long. Tickets can be purchased at the station and cost GBP 2.70 for the 12 minute long journey to New Street Station. Local bus 900 leaves from bus stop K outside the terminal every 20-30 minutes. The journey to Moor Street Station takes about 35 minutes and costs GBP 1.10. For more information, please visit www.bhx.co.uk.

Local transport
In Birmingham, public transport consists of an extensive bus network and the inner suburbs are linked by local trains and trams. There are several different types of travel passes from which to choose, including a one-day rover pass. More information and current prices are available from www.centro.org.uk.
Taxi
It is easiest to hail a taxi on the street, especially in the centre of the city or at the airport and train stations. Taxis can also be ordered from companies, for example, Radio Cars.
Tel: +44 121 608 8888

Mail
Stamps can be purchased from post offices and newsagents. Post Offices are generally open from Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. or 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. or 12.30 p.m. respectively.

Pharmacy
NHS Direct on +44 121 845 4647 can advise you about pharmacies with longer opening hours.

Dentist
Please phone +44 121 845 4647 for information about urgent medical and dental care. In an emergency, dial the emergency number 999.

Telephone and Electricity
+44 (121), 240V, 50Hz