Top Rated Attractions in Birmingham

Designed by architect Patel Taylor, Eastside City Park is Birmingham's first public park for 130 years. Eastside City Park is spread over an area of 2 hectares (6.2 acres). At the Royal Institute of British Architects Midlands and East awards function held at Millennium Point, it bagged four awards. Some of the notable features of Eastside City Park include public squares, formal lawns, 310 trees and a canal that consists of 21 fountains. The Science Garden by Gillespie's, a part of the nearby Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum, is also found inside Eastside City Park's premises.

St Chad’s is the first catholic cathedral built after reformation for the population of Birmingham in the 18th century. The building is built of brick with bath stone dressings in German gothic style architecture and consists of important furnishings. It is an attractive looking cathedral with a vibrant aura just perfect to meditate and pray in peace. There are no visiting charges to enter this sacred place.

Red Palace is a typical result of the explosion of terracotta that followed the success of the Victoria Law Courts. This imposing building, close to the city centre, was erected in 1896 and served as a memorial to Lord Roberts of Kandahar, Commander in Chief of the British Empire. This red brick and terracotta building, five stories high, stands as a monument both to Imperial grandeur and architectural excellence.

Birmingham has more miles of canals than Venice (as any local will only too proudly tell you), though many of them are hidden beneath street level. Gas Street Basin is where several canals meet and was once a thriving port. Today, you can still see colorful canal boats moored here, just a stone's throw from Broad Street in the city center. It's also an up-and-coming spot for new bars and cafes, and is close to popular Brindleyplace.

Formerly known as Birmigham General Cemetery, Key hill Cemetery is a redundant Nonconformist cemetery that became operational in the 19th Century. In Birmingham, Key Hill Cemetery is the oldest burial ground which is not found inside a churchyard. Several memorials and fittings found inside Key Hill Cemetery are noted for their artistic and architectural value. Railings as well as the entry gates are marked as Grade II listed structures. Key Hill Cemetery is also marked by Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest as Grade II listed. Inside Key Hill Cemetery, you can find 46 Commonwealth service war burials, solemnized by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Inventor of eggless custard, Alfred Bird is buried at Key Hill Cemetery.

Part of the Chamberlain Schools, the Icknield Street School is a school, which is one of the Birmingham Board schools. A school full of history and architectural charm, it was built in 1883 by J.H. Chamberlain, and today it is also an ashram. Famously functioning in the 1880s, they had classes for girls and was later converted into a fully-functional board school. The structure looks like an old Victorian house, and is quite attractive from the outside.