Pictures of Birmingham

a Historic City in the county of West Midlands

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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.

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History of Birmingham

Recommended towns & villages near Birmingham

	Edgbaston (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... Information | Pictures (27) | Hotels | Holiday Cottages
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Recommended attractions near Birmingham

	The National Sea Life Centre (1.1 miles, 1.8 km) The Sea Life Centre offers a unique insight into the lives of a myriad of creatures from shrimps to sharks... Information | Pictures (1) | Hotels
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	Birmingham Botanical Gardens (2.2 miles, 3.5 km, direction SW) The Birmingham Botanical Gardens & Glasshouses, in the United Kingdom, are a 15 acre oasis of delight. Designed by J. C. Loudon,..... Information | Pictures (30) | Hotels
	Sandwell Valley Country Park (4.2 miles, 6.8 km, direction NW) .. Information | Pictures (2) | Hotels

Hotels & Accommodation in Birmingham

Birmingham Hotels  Birmingham Cottages  Birmingham Bed & Breakfast

	Conference Aston Hotel Birmingham, West Midlands, England (0.1 miles, 0.1 km) A 10-minute walk from Birmingham city centre, Aston Conference Centre is set within quiet landscaped campus grounds. It features free Wi-Fi and en suite bedrooms, each with a TV.... More info and book online..  Price from £38.00
	Thistle Birmingham City Birmingham, West Midlands, England (0.3 miles, 0.5 km) Located in Birmingham’s city centre, the Thistle is just a 10-minute walk from the Bullring shopping centre. Panoramic views across Birmingham’s city skyline can be enjoyed from Whimsey’s Bar’... More info and book online..  Price from £44.00
	Hotel La Tour Birmingham Birmingham, West Midlands, England (0.3 miles, 0.5 km) Opened in March 2012, this 4-star hotel is just a 5-minute walk from the Bullring Shopping Centre. It serves modern food in its stylish restaurant.... More info and book online..  Price from £69.00
	Premier Inn Birmingham Central East Birmingham, West Midlands, England (0.4 miles, 0.6 km) On Birmingham's A4540 ring road, centrally located and with excellent transport links, this Premier Inn hotel offers a restaurant, bar, free parking and spacious, comfortable en suite rooms. The Prem... More info and book online..  Price from £44.00
	Campanile Hotel - Birmingham Birmingham, West Midlands, England (0.4 miles, 0.7 km) With free Wi-Fi, this contemporary, canal side hotel provides comfortable and convenient accommodation within easy reach of the NEC, ICC and the city centre.... More info and book online..  Price from £29.00

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