Birmingham ~ B1

Situated in the heart of the Midlands, Birmingham is the United Kingdom's second largest city. It remains a significant centre of manufacturing and engineering as well as being a major commercial centre. Its concert halls, theatres, and three universities also make it an important cultural and educational centre. Its industries produce motor vehicles and their components, machine tools, weapons, electrical equipment, chemicals, jewellery, and of course Cadbury's chocolate. Birmingham was mentioned in the Domesday Book. After the Norman Conquest, the then village became the property of a Norman family called the Berminghams. Two centuries later it had grown into a market town at a road junction called the Bull Ring. It has always been a manufacturing centre and was noted for its fine swords, firearms, and jewellery. Its silversmiths and goldsmiths were concentrated in the jewellery quarter and are still famous today for their fine work. Much of the city was rebuilt as a result a major slum improvement scheme during the late 19th century. Further re-development followed the Second World War in which many parts of the City were destroyed by bombing.

Places of Interest

• There are many attractions within Birmingham, particularly:
• The Jewellery Quarter, full of artisan craftsman making individual pieces of great beauty.
• Cadbury World where chocolate has been made since the mid 1800's and where visitors can experience the complete process of chocolate manufacture from bean to bar.
• The historic Bull Ring market.
• Nearby Warwick Castle is one of the finest examples of medieval castle building and is well worth visiting.

Interestingly, Birmingham is the country's canal 'capital'. The city's canal mileage is greater than in Venice and trips along these waterways are very enjoyable.

Living in Birmingham - Education, Shopping and Travel Links

Being situated almost in the middle of the country, Birmingham has an excellent communication network. The M5 and M6 motorways pass through the city. It has first class rail links and has its own international airport. London is just over 100 miles away and can be reached in a little under two hours.

As one might imagine, such a large city has superb shopping facilities with the newly refurbished Bullring centre providing excellent choice. There are numerous smaller, stylish boutiques and 'specialist' stores, and the regular produce markets provide fresh, local vegetables and meat.

There are a vast number of schools in the city from nursery age up to sixth form colleges. It is home to the five notable Grammar Schools of King Edward the Sixth in Birmingham. The city has three Universities and the Adult Education Service has a high quality range of learning opportunities.

Sport and leisure are also well catered for with numerous activity centres and the Edgbaston Cricket Ground being close by.

The city boasts fine museums, art galleries, and is home to its own Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the Birmingham Royal Ballet.

Estate and Letting Agents for Birmingham B1