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- Birmingham
Birmingham
Birthplace of the industrial revolution, Birmingham is shaking
off its dreary manufacturing reputation to reveal a cosmopolitan
world city. Situated in the geographical heart of England, the UK's
second largest metropolis is a mixed bag of cultures, dotted with a
colourful array of continental eateries, modern shopping arcades,
sweeping plazas and vibrant markets.
Much of the area now covered by Birmingham's metropolis was
originally the northern corner of the ancient Forest of Arden.
Birmingham came to life in the mid 1800s as a major manufacturing
town owing to the large deposits of exploitable coal and iron
nearby. Despite heavy bomb damage during World War II's 'Birmingham
Blitz', much industrial heritage is still present in Britain's
'canal city', which has more waterways than amorous Venice. Built
over 200 years ago, the canals, which once bore the raw materials
that would spawn the industrial revolution, are now principally
used for pleasure and provide a moody backdrop to the historic
buildings, restaurants and pubs that site alongside, most notably
at charming Brindley Place and the Gas Street Basin.
Churning out the likes of JRR Tolkien, Robert Plant, Black
Sabbath and The Streets, the Brummies have done their fair share of
creative contribution. An impressive live music scene now
illuminates the evenings and an exhaustive listing of events can be
found in the free fortnightly publication,
The Fly.A rich bounty of cuisine and culture make up the
world renowned Balti Triangle and the curvaceous Selfridges store
with its mottled futuristic 'skin' is not to be missed at the
Bullring centre, a commercial hub that has been in use since the
Middle Ages. For a breath of fresh air, head to one of Birmingham's
five Green Flag status parks and enjoy the shade of the city's
dense oak tree cover.
Information & Facts
Climate
Birmingham's weather is typically English, if slightly more
temperate than the coast. Rainfall occurs all year round but is
heavier in winter. Average maximum temperatures in summer (July)
are around 68°F (20°C) and in winter (January) around 40°F (4.5°C).
Due to its inland location snow does occur in the city centre
during winter but has become less frequent over the past few years.
Tornadoes occur intermittently, the most recent being in July
2005.
Getting Around
The best way to explore Birmingham is on foot as the majority of
the city centre is now pedestrianised and the canals, which have
been cleaned up, make for attractive walkways. The majority of
transport used in Birmingham and the West Midlands area are buses.
There is no central bus station, but a bus stop can be found on
almost every corner. Travel West Midlands is the main operator; a
single fare costing between £0.80 to £1.10 and a Daysaver ticket,
allowing unlimited bus travel for one day costing £3. An exact fare
is required when boarding the bus, as drivers will not give change.
Black cabs can be hailed in the street or reached at one of the
many taxi ranks in the city centre, the main ones situated at New
Street Station, Stephenson Street and Digbeth Coach Station. New
Street and Moor Street train stations provide rail connections to
destinations throughout the UK. For coach transfers to other major
towns and cities, National Express is a good bet.
Language
English is the official language, though visitors will be
astonished by the variety of regional accents.
Money
The currency is the pound (GBP), which is divided into 100
pence. ATMs are available in all towns and Visa, MasterCard and
American Express are widely accepted; visitors with other cards
should check with their credit card companies in advance. Foreign
currency can be exchanged at bureaux de change and large hotels,
however better exchange rates are likely to be found at banks.
Travellers cheques are accepted in all areas frequented by
tourists; they are best taken in Pounds Sterling to avoid
additional charges.
Time
Local time in the United Kingdom is GMT (GMT +1 from last
Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).