Essential Hotels > England > West Midlands > Birmingham

Birmingham is England’s second city and was first granted city status in 1889. Its past undoubtedly goes back as far as the Bronze Age and beyond. However, very little remains from this era except the scattered flint stones and bronze artefacts that can be found in the city museum. Evidence of Saxon settlement is apparent from the name endings of some of Birmingham's well known localities; the suffix -ley means clearing in a forest. Therefore Selly, Yardley, Moseley and Warley are likely to have been Saxon clearings. Other place names also carry the names of their founders; the town of Birmingham was once a hamlet hence ending in ham.

Situated in the middle of the country, Birmingham is found in the fairly small county of the West Midlands. It was the focus of the Industrial Revolution from the middle of the 18th century and so it is hardly surprising it gained nicknames such as the city of a thousand trades and the workshop of the world. Today, the city is affectionately known as Brum, and it is home to more than three million inhabitants.

If you plan to visit Birmingham you will most likely find it is very easy to get around. Further, there is plenty to see and do, whether you take a look around the town centre perhaps or visit the various museums and galleries. For example, the Ikon Gallery is close by, within five minutes’ walk of Victoria Square. Then, from Victoria Square you will see the Town Hall which was constructed in 1834 and which has seen some historic musical landmarks.

Birmingham also boasts some excellent shopping facilities and has three main shopping arcades all within easy walking distance of Victoria Square, with the Bullring probably the most recognisable. Meanwhile, many other areas of interest are within a short bus ride of the city centre. Birmingham has a vibrant Chinese Quarter, an excellent Botanical Garden and a nature centre. If you like history you could try Aston Hall, Sarehole Mill or the Selly Oak Manor near Cadbury World. For the sports fanatics you may well like to make a beeline for the Aston Villa ground or Warwickshire’s Edgbaston Cricket ground. There are more than 200 parks to rest and relax in while the Jewellery Quarter, the Barber Institute of fine art and Soho House are all popular destinations close to the city centre.