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All about...
Birmingham
Blighted by a motorway intersection tearing through its heart, for decades Birmingham was a byword for the worst excesses of post-war industrial planning. Yet in recent years, huge regeneration projects have breathed life into the second city’s hulking Victorian architecture and crisscrossing canals. Now the rippling silver arc of the Future Systems-designed Selfridges building dominates the steely skies of a bustling 21st century city, proud of its industrial heritage and happily celebratory of the waves of immigrants that have brought colour and chaos to its grey urban streets. In the words of local boy Ozzy Osbourne: “you’ve come a long way, kiddo.”
Find Birmingham's best:
- Museum
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Museum
Best history:
National Trust Birmingham Back to Backs
The Birmingham National Trust Back to Backs is an award-winning museum of everyday life housed in the only existing example of the humble courtyard homes that once crowded the city. The museum walks you through an intimate picture of the second city’s history, from the restored atelier of an 18th century Jewish watchmaker to the 1960s home and shop-front of a Caribbean tailor, left as it was the day he retired.
Where: Birmingham National Trust Back to Backs, 50-54 Inge Street, Birmingham, Tel: +44 (0)121 753 7757.
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-birmingham_backtobacks
- Shopping
-
Shopping
Best fashion:
Benjamin Vaughan
Whippersnapper Benjamin Vaughan is a rising star on the city’s fashion scene. After learning his trade in the ateliers of several Kensington family tailors (where he cut suits for David Dickinson and Phillip Schofield), the 25-year-old returned to his native Birmingham to set up a tailor’s shop in up-and-coming Kings Heath. Pick up a bespoke shirt from £75, or a razor-sharp made-to-measure suit from £420.
Where: Benjamin Vaughan, 21a York Road, Birmingham, Tel: +44 (0)845 257 9690.
Website: www.benjaminvaughan.com/
- Cafes
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Cafes
Best café:
Kings Heath’s Kitchen Garden Café
More Montreal than West Mids, Kings Heath’s Kitchen Garden Café is a Bohemian café-cum-bar-cum-organic gardening advice centre that’s become a nexus for rising musicians and young green mums. Pick up some tomato seeds and sink into a low-slung sofa, nursing your organic cocoa.
Where: Kitchen Garden Café, 17 York Road, Birmingham, Tel: +44 (0)121 443 4725.
Website: www.kitchengardencafe.co.uk/
- Botanical gardens
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Botanical gardens
Best nature:
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
On a warm summer’s day in Birmingham Botanical Gardens, the city seems miles away. Much of that’s down to its fabulous emerald lawns and an amphitheatre that acts as a suntrap, with higher ground behind a windbreak for chilly northerly winds. Pack a picnic… How about a classic Brummie cob (a huge pillowy white roll)
Where: Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Westbourne Road,Edgbaston, Birmingham, Tel: +44 (0)121 454 1860.
Website: www.bbgardens.org/
Birmingham - (BHX)
Location
Birmingham International Airport is at the centre of the UK’s motorway network and only 1 mile (1.6km) from junction 6 of the M42 Birmingham International Airport 0044 (0)8445766000
Public transport
The neighbouring Birmingham International rail station has a network of fast and frequent regional and intercity rail services operated by Central, Virgin and Silverlink trains. The air rail link is a free way to travel between the airport terminals, Birmingham International Station and the NEC. It leaves the airport from the upper level of terminal 1. The air rail link operates every 2 minutes between 05:15 and 02:00.
By bus
Local buses link the Airport to the surrounding district and are provided by a number of operators. All buses stop in front of terminal 1. To confirm up to date information call Traveline 0044 (0)8706082608. Further information may be obtained from www.centro.org.uk
By taxi
Black cabs provide a 24 hour service from the official rank outside the Airport Passenger Terminals. Each taxi carries up to 5 people (a number may carry 6) with luggage, and is constructed to take wheelchairs. For further information tel: 0044 (0)1213202409.
Tourist information
An airport information desk is open 24 hours
Check-in
Opens 2 hours prior to flight departure time.
Check-in on international flights to and from and over mainland
Europe will close promptly 40 minutes before the scheduled
departure time.
For flights within the UK, Republic of Ireland and Jersey check-in
close promptly 30 minutes before the scheduled departure
time.
Please note Birmingham Airport will not make boarding calls for any
flights. You are advised to look at the screens for all information
regarding your flight.
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