Exploring Birmingham, United Kingdom Like a Local

Aston Hall is a marvelous 17th-century, red-bricked mansion that is situated within a picturesque park in north Birmingham, England. Designed by John Thorpe, the mansion was built between the years of 1618 and 1635 and was a premier example of Jacobean architecture. The mansion has had several owners throughout its history, including James Watt Junior from years 1817 – 1848. Visitors can walk the halls that once received royalty, explore a place that was once besieged during the historically defining English Civil War, and bask in a setting that inspired in author. Aston Hall is listed as a Grade I Jacobean house in the city of Birmingham.

Aston Hall, Trinity Road, Birmingham B6 6JD, United Kingdom, Phone: +44-12-13-48-81-00

Barber Institute of Fine Arts is a concert hall and art gallery that is located in the city of Birmingham, England. It is housed within one of the city’s finest Art Deco buildings, which was designed by Robert Atkinson and recognized as one of the architect’s greatest achievements. After its opening, The Times opined that the building was “the purest example of his work” in regards to architect Robert Atkinson. In 1946 the Royal Institute of British Architects awarded the building a bronze medal, and in 1981 the structure was given a Grade II designation by the Department of the Environment. The museum houses several large collections that include paintings, drawings, sculptures, and historic artifacts.

Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TS, United Kingdom, Phone: +44-12-14-14-73-33

The Birmingham Back to Backs are the last court of 19th-century back-to-back houses located in Birmingham, England. These two and three-story houses were popular in Birmingham during that time period, especially in inner-city areas like Highgate, Small Heath, Aston, Handsworth, and Ladywood. The court received a Grade II designation by the Department of National Heritage in the year of 1988. In 1995 the Birmingham City Council commissioned the Hereford Archaeological Unit to record and survey the remaining back-to-back houses. Visitors can enjoy pre-booked, guided tours of these restored time capsules and learn all about their rich history. Patrons won’t want to forget about grabbing some candy from the 1930s sweet shop on their way out.

Birmingham Back to Backs, 50-54 Inge Street, Birmingham B5 4TE, United Kingdom, Phone: +44-12-16-66-76-71

The Birmingham Botanical Gardens is a large botanical garden with four stunning glasshouses that showcase flora ranging from arid desert to tropical rainforest in Birmingham, England. On top of providing some of the United Kingdom’s most beautiful gardens, the complex is also equipped with a tearoom, garden gift shop, and playground. The gardens boast over 7,000 different kinds of plants, including The British National Bonsai Collection. The gardens also feature a 250-year-old Juniperus Chinensis specimen named the “Omiya Tree,” presented in an informal upright style. Visitors will also see a modest collection of beautiful, exotic birds from all over the world, such as quaker parakeets, azure-winged magpies, Himalayan monals, and white-cheeked turaco.

The Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Westbourne Road, Birmingham B15 3TR, United Kingdom, Phone: +44-12-14-54-18-60

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is an art gallery and museum that is located in Birmingham, England. Established in 1885, the museum and gallery are housed within a designated Grade II, city-center, landmark building. The building contains over 40 galleries that display works from local and industrial history, ethnography, archaeology, natural history, jewelry, metalwork, ceramics, and fine art. Visitors can learn about the Staffordshire Hoard in a gallery dedicated entirely to the discovery of the largest Anglo-Saxon stash of gold ever found. The gallery is well-known for the Pre-Raphaelite paintings that are among the largest Pre-Raphaelite, public collections in the world. In addition to its permanent collections, the gallery offers a diverse exhibition program that changes throughout the year.

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham B3 3DH, United Kingdom, Phone: +44-12-13-48-80-00

Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park is a modest zoo that is situated at the edge of Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, England. The park features a small and unique collection of animal species from all over the world, including monkeys, wallabies, birds, otters, meerkats reptiles, lemurs, and Red Pandas. Many of the animals at this wildlife park are endangered species, which means the park plays a vital role in continuing conservation efforts. Visitors will get to see zookeepers feeding different species of animals throughout the day, such as porcupines, Asian Short-Clawed Otters, Emperor Tamarins, and Squirrel Monkeys. The park offers an excellent setting for engaging visitors in citizenship skills, numeracy, literacy, science, and environmental projects.

Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park , Pershore Road, Birmingham B5 7RL, United Kingdom, Phone: +44-12-14-72-54-88

Black Country Living Museum is a large, open-air museum that consists of reconstructed historic buildings in Dudley, England. It is situated at the heart of Black Country, approximately 9.7 miles west of the city of Birmingham. The award-winning corner of West Midlands is considered to be one of the United Kingdom’s finest open-air museums. It’s a charismatic village with interesting residents to engage with, stories to hear, things to be made, trams to ride, and games to play. Visitors will have the chance to enjoy the village’s animals, transport collections, local pubs, underground mine, shops and houses, live demonstrations, and fairground.

Black Country Living Museum, Tipton Road, Dudley DY1 4SQ, United Kingdom, Phone: +44-12-15-57-96-43

Bull Ring is a shopping center and major commercial area located in Birmingham, England. The market’s history dates all the way back to 1154 when a local landowner by the name of Peter de Bermingham had obtained a Charter of Marketing Rights from King Henry II. Some of the market’s first businesses included a purveyor, tailor, blacksmith, and four weavers. Today the market is one of the busiest within the United Kingdom, as more than 30 million tourists and shoppers visit the center each year. There are magnificent art pieces on display all around the shopping center, including the Bullring Bull, a 1,290-square-foot mural made of glass by renowned artist Martin Donlin, and the Statue of Lord Nelson.

Bull Ring, St Martins Square, Birmingham B5 4BU, United Kingdom, Phone: +44-12-16-32-15-00

Cadbury World is an attraction that features self-guided tours that have been created and are overseen by the Cadbury Chocolate Company. There are two of these unique locations that exist in the world, one in Birmingham, United Kingdom, and the other in Dunedin, New Zealand. Visitors will appreciate the interactive activities that are fun for the whole family, including the 4D Chocolate Adventure, Manufacturing, Purple Planet, the Making Chocolate Story, Chocolate Making, Have A Go, Aztec Jungle, and the African Adventure Play Area. Visitors will want to make sure they make a pass through the ‘World’s Biggest Cadbury Shop’ to take advantage of special offers, load up on Cadbury treats, and grab some souvenirs.

Cadbury World, Linden Road, Birmingham B30 1JR, United Kingdom, Phone: +44-12-13-93-60-04

Cannon Hill Park is a picturesque park that offers plenty of opportunity for outdoor recreation in south Birmingham, England. The park covers 120 acres of woodland plantation and conservation, as well as 80 acres of pristine, formal parklands. Some of the park’s top attractions include Golden Putter – a 36-hole miniature golf course, the Land Train, Mac Birmingham, and the B’Ham Wildlife Conservation Park. Visitors can enjoy fun outdoor activities such as Swan Lake Boating, fishing, cycling, mountain biking, hiking, running, and tennis. Visitors can also partake in the Tree Walk – a walking tour designed for people who are interested in learning more about Cannon Hill’s plants and trees.

Cannon Hill Park, Russell Road, Birmingham B13 8RD, United Kingdom, Phone: +44-12-13-03-11-15