Birmingham Directory

Guide to Birmingham

Now Britain's second-largest city, Birmingham was the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution in the 1800s, when it was known as the 'Workshop of the World' It attracted merchants and workers from around Britain as industries blossomed; a network of canals was dug for the transportation of goods; and the city become the focal point of a wealthy region.

All that changed In the late 20th century, when manufacturing made way for services, with old factories and warehouses transformed into stylish apartments, office blocks and centres of art. That transformation continues to this day.The canals, which had fallen into disuse and disrepair, have been rejuvenated, and the majestic heritage buildings that look out over long stretches of the canals now house a wide variety of restaurants, shops and cafés. The city’s grand Victorian monuments have also been lovingly restored and an ambition scheme to redevelop the city’s historic core, the Bull Ring, has given the city centre an international flair.

There is no doubt that the city is well worth a visit. There is so much to see and admire. There are many stunning architectural gems both ancient and modern - museums and markets to wander around, charming cafés and pubs to stop for a bite to eat and a drink, with culinary delights of all descriptions just waiting to be savoured. Not only that, you will find that the city is very compact, making it very easy to get around on foot, with much of its centre being pedestrianised. The city's notable associations are as diverse as HP Sauce, Tony Hancock, Cadbury's chocolate, The Lunar Society (whose members included James Watt and Matthew Boulton), Black Sabbath, UB40, Jasper Carrot and the Spitfire and the Mini.

Birmingham also has many literary links including RR Tolkien; Washington Irving, who wrote Rip Van Winkle while lodging here with his sister's family - and Conan Doyle, who bought a violin in Sherlock Street while a medical student in Birmingham! Nearby locations such as Warwick and Stratford-upon-Avon provide more of the stereotypical images of "olde"England, but Birmingham has many of its own tourist attractions, with an extremely lively night life, and the shopping is arguably one of the best outside London. So, although the manufacturing industry has declined, Birmingham is proving very adaptable to change. It welcomes new ideas rather than bemoaning the loss of the old.

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