Pictures of England
 Exploring the most Picturesque & Historic parts of England..

Pictures of Birmingham

a Historic City in the county of West Midlands

Victoria Square, Birmingham

About Birmingham

Birmingham, Britain's second city, known as the city of a thousand trades, has long been recognised as one of the World's most important manufacturing and commercial centres.

The first record of Birmingham, is as a small roman station on Icknield Street. It became an industrial town in early times and is known to have supplied thousands of sword blades to the Parliamentary forces during the Civil War in the 16th-century.

In spite of the grinding povery associated with 19th-century industrial towns, the city developed and prospered. . This new prosperity caused the creation of many fine new buildings. The Town Hall, built in 1834 is modelled on a classical roman temple. The City's Council House of 1879 is of grand Victorian proportions. The Anglican Cathedral of St.Philip, dates from the 18th-century
and the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St.Chad, designed by Augustus Pugin, was built around 1840.

The City's Bull-Ring Centre has been re-developed twice. The first rebuild was in the 1960's, the second New Bull-Ring was only recently completed and opened in 2003. This massive complex comprises a vast pedestrianized shopping centre and offers many facilities, such as markets, car-parking and restaurants. All this is within easy access to the City's air, road and rail links. Interestingly, the Bull-Ring covers an area which in Medieval times was the Village Green!

Much effort too, has gone into the preservation of the City's great network of Canal's. A network said to have more miles of waterways than Venice. These day's, gaily-coloured sailing and narrow boats cruise the waters, providing a stark contrast to the memory of Barges filled with coal that plied these canals in Victorian times.

The City has several Museums, the most noted is the City's Art Gallery which has a fine collection of pre-Raphaelite paintings.

Birmingham Airport sees the arrival of visitors from the world over, they come to this dynamic City for a variety of reasons for Birmingham continues to maintain it's position as a World Class Business City. It offers the visitor a wide cultural scene, diverse and lively mix of shopping attractions, night life, major international events and exhibitions and easy access to some very fine countryside.

Places to visit - Birmingham Botanical Gardens where every turn brings something new and delightful, the City's beautiful new Symphony Hall home to the C.B.S.O. and the nearby National Exhibition Centre. Birmingham's Royal Ballet, when at home, is always worth seeing and of course the City has two fine Football Clubs, Aston Villa and Birmingham City.

Whatever you are seeking, you will find much to do in this vibrant, cosmopolitan City that has flourished throughout the centuries to become the thriving and exciting metropolis of today.


Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Birmingham

Jewellery Quarter Museum(0.9 miles, 1.5 km)Pictures
The National Sea Life Centre(1.1 miles, 1.8 km)Pictures
Sherborne Wharf(1.3 miles, 2.1 km, direction SW)Pictures
Aston Hall(1.4 miles, 2.3 km, direction N)Pictures
Soho House(1.7 miles, 2.7 km, direction NW)Pictures
Birmingham Botanical Gardens(2.2 miles, 3.5 km, direction SW)Pictures
Sandwell Valley Country Park(4.2 miles, 6.8 km, direction NW)Pictures
Selly Manor(4.7 miles, 7.5 km, direction SW)Pictures
Merrions Wood Nature Reserve(5.6 miles, 8.9 km, direction N)Pictures
Walsall Arboretum(7.9 miles, 12.7 km, direction NW)Pictures
The Belfry(8.1 miles, 13.0 km, direction NE)Pictures
Dudley Castle(8.1 miles, 13.1 km, direction W)Pictures
The Black Country Living Museum(8.2 miles, 13.1 km, direction W)Pictures
Dudley Zoo(8.2 miles, 13.2 km, direction W)Pictures
Waseley Hills Country Park(8.6 miles, 13.9 km, direction SW)Pictures

All attractions in Birmingham
All attractions in West Midlands
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Birmingham

Edgbaston, in the county of West Midlands (2.0 miles, 3.3 km, direction SW)
Edgbaston is a district of wide leafy roads lined with elegant houses, lately these have become interspersed with more modern buildings, yet the suburb has somehow managed to retain much of its 19th and early 20th century charm.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Solihull, in the county of West Midlands (7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction SE)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Halesowen, in the county of West Midlands (7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction W)
For several centuries Halesowen was a farming region and despite the spread of urban sprawl the region still has nearby open beauty spots.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Dudley, in the county of West Midlands (8.2 miles, 13.3 km, direction W)
Dudley is a market town, it was granted its market charter in the 13th century, since then the lively outdoor market has been a focal point which has drawn regular visitors to the town.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Bodymoor Heath, in the county of Warwickshire (9.3 miles, 14.9 km, direction NE)
This lovely rural area is well known as the home of the training ground for Aston Villa Football Club.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Kingsbury, in the county of Warwickshire (10.3 miles, 16.6 km, direction NE)
Kingsbury lies in a quiet corner of Warwickshire, it is most notable for its water-park which offers an oasis of calm for visitors escaping the hurried life of Birmingham and other nearby cities and large towns.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Stourbridge, in the county of West Midlands (11.1 miles, 17.9 km, direction W)
Within the vast urban sprawl that surrounds Birmingham, otherwise known as the City of a Thousand Trades, lies the once great centre for crystal glassware, Stourbridge.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Lapworth, in the county of Warwickshire (11.5 miles, 18.5 km, direction SE)
The village has a delightful mix of ancient properties that mingle harmoniously with barn conversions and new build.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Berkswell, in the county of West Midlands (11.8 miles, 19.0 km, direction SE)
This must be one of England's loveliest villages, it is evocative of a life before urbanisation and modernity, it is that perfect idyll of much loved English country life where you can re-discover the peaceful tranquillity of yester-year.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Wolverhampton, in the county of West Midlands (12.2 miles, 19.7 km, direction NW)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Tamworth, in the county of Staffordshire (13.2 miles, 21.2 km, direction NE)
In the 8th century the Saxon Kingdom of Mercia was ruled from Tamworth. Later in AD 913, a fortress was built here by the daughter of King Alfred.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Swindon, in the county of Staffordshire (13.5 miles, 21.7 km, direction W)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Henley in Arden, in the county of Warwickshire (14.6 miles, 23.5 km, direction S)
Hidden deep amonst the leafy lanes of Warwickshire, close to what little remains of the ancient Forest of Arden, lies the pleasant Market town of Henley-in-Arden.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Cannock, in the county of Staffordshire (15.0 miles, 24.2 km, direction N)
Think of Cannock and nearly always there springs to life a vision of the wonderful landscape of Cannock Chase, originally a giant "Royal Forest" gradually reduced in size and grazed by numerous flocks of sheep until the turn of the 20th century.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Kenilworth, in the county of Warwickshire (16.1 miles, 26.0 km, direction SE)
Kenilworth is a pleasant town located in the spacious Warwickshire countryside, it is a town with an 'air of gentility' that tells you that this is a prosperous place with a long, illustrious history.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in West Midlands
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Birmingham Snow Hill Station(0.6 miles, 0.9 km)
Moor Street Station(0.6 miles, 1.0 km)
M6 Junction 6(1.9 miles, 3.0 km, direction NE)
M5 Junction 1(3.9 miles, 6.3 km, direction NW)
Birmingham International Airport(6.9 miles, 11.0 km, direction E)
East Midlands Airport(33.5 miles, 53.9 km, direction NE)
Birmingham to London(101.2 miles, 162.8 km, direction SE)

Hotels & Accommodation in Birmingham

Hotel NameApproximate distance from Birmingham center
Aston Business School Conference Centre(0.0 miles, 0.0 km)
Thistle Birmingham City(0.3 miles, 0.5 km)
Campanile Hotel - Birmingham(0.4 miles, 0.7 km)
Britannia Hotel Birmingham(0.6 miles, 0.9 km)
Colmore Place(0.6 miles, 1.0 km)
Comfort Inn City Centre Birmingham(0.8 miles, 1.2 km)
Premier Apartments Birmingham(0.8 miles, 1.2 km)
nitenite(0.9 miles, 1.4 km)
StayBirmingham(0.9 miles, 1.5 km)
Ramada Birmingham(1.0 miles, 1.5 km)
All hotels in Birmingham

User Login

UK Hotel Search

Enter destination:

(town, attraction, airport, postcode or hotel name)
Select date:
Nights:
Rooms:
Up to 70% OFF hotel room prices in association with Laterooms.com

Picture Tours

More


Day Sightseeing Tours with the London Pass

England Hotels
Discount hotels in
England and the
UK. Find UK
Accommodation..