Tony Smith, passionate about all things 'Birmingham' with his suggestion on how to spend a great '48 Hours in Birmingham'

Like all great cities, Birmingham is an exciting mixture of old and new. It was the “city of a thousand trades” with loads of civic pride still evident today. It is now one of the youngest cities in Europe and the Commonwealth Games city for 2022.

 

Let's see what Tony suggests as a great way to spend '48 hours in Birmingham'. Tony should know as he is well connected across the City and passionate about all things related to the future of the City.

 

Take the article below to see what Tony says. Take the project link to see other '48 Hours in Birmingham' suggestions from people who are passionate about the city.

 

 

Like all great cities Birmingham is an exciting mixture of old and new. It was the “city of a thousand trades” with loads of civic pride still evident today. It is now one of the youngest and most diverse cities in Europe and the Commonwealth Games city for 2022.

 

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'A hundred thousand welcomes', an Irish Birmingham greeting in Digbeth. Photo by Mac McCreery

 

Day 1 .....

 

Start the weekend at the free 5pm Jazz Lines concert at Symphony Hall café bar, check out what’s on and come back to one of the best modern concert halls in the world. Its' sister venue, Town Hall, opened in 1834, remains a jewel in Birmingham’s architectural crown.

 

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Town Hall, Birmingham. Photo by Daniel Sturley.

 

Explore the canals and Brindley Place where you’ll find lots of bars and restaurants, with Bistrot Pierre and the Pickled Piglet definitely worth a try.

 

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Bridge over canal leading to Brindley Place, Birmingham. Photo by Daniel Sturley.

 

Stroll up to the Mailbox for more choice of food and drink, walk through the shopping centre and on towards the gleaming façade of New Street Station (also a shopping centre).

 

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Grand Central, Birmingham. Photo by Chris Fletcher.

 

Turn down John Bright Street, home to more lively bars and eateries – try the Stable for pizza to share, Cherry Reds or the Victoria.

 

Next day you could shop, but why not explore some heritage? Among the restored streets of the Jewellery Quarter, bustling with jewellers and many other small businesses, you will find James Watt’s House, St Paul’s Square and Church and two historic cemeteries, one of which contains the grave of Joseph Chamberlain (though you’ll have to hunt for it).

 

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Jewellery Museum, Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter. Photo by Daniel Sturley.

 

For lunch try the Pig and Tail, The Church Inn or the Lord Clifden.

 

It’s also well worth strolling round the Digbeth area beyond the Bullring shopping centre, Take a stroll through Eastside City Park. Eastside is home to Millennium Point, Thinktank (Birmingham's Science Museum) and the 'Dancing' water fountains. 

 

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Dancing water fountains, Eastside, Birmingham. Photo by Damien Walmsley.

 

In Digbeth, Drop in to the arty shops in the Custard Factory and The Old Crown next door.

 

Saturday night brings a choice of great restaurants, including Asha’s or Lasan for Indian and Pasta di Piazza or San Carlo for Italian. The Purecraft Bar and Kitchen is a winning partnership of Purity Brewery and Simpsons restaurant doing posh pub food.

 

Or take a cab out to Ladypool Road for an authentic Balti. See a film at the charming Electric Cinema.

 

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The entrance to the UK's oldest cinema, The Electric near Grand Central. Photo by Daniel Sturley.

 

Day 2 .....

 

On Sunday, don’t miss the Museum and Art Gallery and its Pre-Raphaelite paintings.

 

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Beautiful sculptured masonry of the Museum and Art Gallery. Photo by Daniel Sturley.

 

Then visit St Phillip’s Cathedral to see the stunning Burne-Jones windows, taking in the historic Council House, the School of Art and the Victorian facades of Colmore Row.

 

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Burne-Jones windows inside St Philip's Cathedral. Photo by Christine Wright. 

 

Take a break at Urban Coffee and make a quick visit to the Old Joint Stock pub with its magnificent interior. For lovers of real ale there’s the Wellington Arms, just across the alley at the back of the OJS. Hotel Du Vin is the perfect place for a long, lazy Sunday lunch.

 

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Hotel Du Vin, Birmingham. Courtesy Barry Whitehead.

 

For more history visit Soho House or take a train out to Lichfield to see Erasmus Darwin’s House. Take the train to the University and discover the excellent Barber Collection of art, or head out to the Victorian suburb of Moseley, take a walk round Cannon Hill Park, then lunch in The Fighting Cocks or Carters restaurant in Moseley Village.

 

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The great city of Birmingham from Romsley Hills 8 miles west. Photo by Daniel Sturley.

 

And that’s just a taster of the many great things old and new you will find in Brum.