Resplendent yet accessible, the Symphony Hall is the model of the ideal modern concert space – and it’s likely the hundreds of thousands who attend around 320 events there each year agree. If you’re only in Brum for the day, try to catch one of the CBSO’s lunchtime concerts or, for demonstrations and to gain backstage access, join one of the hall’s monthly tours, available through the THSH Box Office.
Brum was once known as the City of a Thousand Trades and that’s reflected in the diverse range of attractions you’ll find in Birmingham today. From the jewellery shops and Pen Museum of the Jewellery Quarter to the choc lover’s heaven that is Cadbury World (take your kids there at your peril), England’s second city brims with sights that speak to the region’s rich industrial past.
Want to get to the heart of what it means to be a Brummie? Our run-down of the best attractions in Birmingham should help. This city is a thriving cultural beacon – with iconic architecture to match. From the Library of Birmingham, basically a museum of books that gives you access to unrivalled panoramic views from its Skyline Viewpoint, to retail meccas like the Bullring and Mailbox, Brum is home to a wide array of must-see sights. Here’s where to start.
RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Birmingham