Birmingham was at the heart of the UK's industrial revolution, and its wealth was built upon the multitude of trades that were spawned. This lead to a massive canal network, with more miles of canals than Venice (though they're very different types of canal). A fact that often surprises first-time visitors to the city is that it has more trees and open spaces than any other city in Europe.
Much of the city centre was destroyed during the Second World War, and the replacement buildings added little to the city. Indeed a standing joke among locals is Spaghetti Junction (M6 motorway junction 6, a few miles north of the city centre) - a mass of intersecting motorways, local roads, railway lines and canals that can send a careless driver off in completely the opposite direction to that which he intended.
However, since the 1990s, Birmingham has been undergoing a radical change and many of the post war buildings have been replaced. The majority of the city centre is now pedestrianized, and the canals cleaned up to make for attractive walkways. All credit to the City Council, as the city retains its industrial heritage while now appearing modern and forward looking.
Brimingham's gay scene is constantly developing and its prominence is definitely increasing in terms of its national profile. The hub of Birmingham's gay scene is concentrated on and around Hurst Street, although there are lots of gay bars spread throughout the city. As well as the bars and restaurants, the major event for Birmingham's gay and lesbian community is Gay Pride. This normally takes place in the Spring and is a popular event.
Culture
The city's cultural scene has both breadth and depth, ranging from theatres, arts and music venues - Birmingham is a growing cultural powerhouse.
The Barber Institute of Fine Arts One of Birmingham's hidden jewels, it is one of Britain's most impressive small picture galleries, housing an outstanding collection of Renaissance and Impressionist art.
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery The Museum has the largest collection of Pre-Raphaelite works in the world, as well as Old Masters and Impressionists. Recently the modern and contemporary collections have had a new home created in the Waterhall Gallery of Modern Art.
Birmingham Royal Ballet The former Sadlers Wells Royal Ballet has gone from strength to strength since establishing their home at the redeveloped Birmingham Hippodrome. More recently the BRB has attracted the renowned Elmhurst School for Dance, which relocated to Birmingham in Autumn 2004.
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Achieved world-wide acclaim under Sir Simon Rattle, the orchestra is now led by renowned Music Director Sakari Oramo, and is reconfirming its credentials as a major player on the world stage.
Elmhurst School for Dance One of the oldest and most successful vocational dance schools in the world, has relocated to Birmingham and opened its doors to its first intake of new students in October 2004. Facilities at the new school include a 350 seat studio theatre; eight dance studios; exercise centre, theatre workshop; and first-class boarding accommodation.
Ikon Gallery An internationally acclaimed art venue, which is a showcase for innovative and occasionally controversial contemporary work.
The Symphony Hall Part of the NEC Group, the hall has outstanding acoustics and is one of the best concert halls in the world, attracting over 375,000 visitors each year.
Equality
Birmingham is multi-cultural and permissive in its attitiudes towards all forms of behaviour, dress and opinions.
Travel Information
By plane
Birmingham International Airport is a major airport situated just outside the city, in Solihull, about 8 miles south-east of central Birmingham, serving the city and the rest of the West Midlands egion with frequent domestic and international charter and scheduled flights. There are several direct arrivals a day from all major UK and European destinations, and one or two from more far-flung places such as Dehli, Dubai and Toronto.
Trains run from the airport site to New Street Station every 5-15 minutes from around 6:15AM (Su 8:45AM) to 11:15PM. The journey takes 10 - 20 minutes depending on whether you get an express or local (stopping) service and costs around £2 one way.
Bus service 900 runs every 20-30 minutes between Birmingham and Coventry via the airport from around 6:10AM (Sa 6:30AM, Su 7:00AM) to midnight, takes around 25 minutes and costs £1.40 one way.
A taxi from the airport to central Birmingham will take around 20 minutes and will cost around £20.
The National Exhibition Centre is adjacent to the airport.
By train
Birmingham is a major hub of Britain's rail network. The main station is New Street, with Snow Hill and Moor Street carrying significantly fewer services, but including secondary (slower and cheaper) services from London Marylebone station. New Street has faster trains to London Euston railway station. All three stations are in the city centre and within walking distance of each other and are linked by a free bus service.
All areas of Britain are well-served, with half-hourly services (Monday-Saturday daytimes) from most major UK cities. Timetables can be checked at National Rail Enquiries (+44 8457 48 49 50) and booked on-line or over the 'phone through the train operator.
By coach
Intercity buses, unless clearly stated otherwise, will terminate at Digbeth Coach Station. This is a slightly dilapidated building approximately 0.5 mi south of the city centre (i.e. intercity buses do not serve the city centre) with basic facilities and a booking office. Although the station has been due for an upgrade for several years, it is unlikely to take place anytime soon.
From the coach station, it is an easy ten-minute walk to the city centre (you should be able to see the Bullring complex from the station exit). If you arrive at night (or have large amounts of luggage), consider getting a bus or taxi as the area can be a bit seedy.
There are half-hourly (or more frequent) services from most major cities.
Megabus, +44 900 160 0900 (premium rate). Serves London only.
National Express, +44 8705 80 80 80.
By car
Birmingham is well-signposted and surrounded by motorways, including the orbital M42 and the infamous Spaghetti Junction (Gravelly Hill Interchange)
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