Top Rated Attractions in Birmingham

The epicenter of the Industrial Revolution, Birmingham was once known as the 'city of 1001 trades'. A master of reinvention, the city has shed its once gritty, industrial vibe towards a more contemporary, cultural outlook with institutions like the City of Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, International Convention Center, and Coffin Works paving the way for cultural exploration. Georgian-era landmarks like St. Paul’s Church, Victorian-era Law Courts and the Neo-Gothic St. Martin’s Church offer a glimpse of a bygone era while the Selfridges Building and Library of Birmingham serve as a modern symbol of the city's evolution. With a vibrant dining, theater and nightlife scene, the city offers much along its canal-lined streets and is a powerhouse of modern British life.

Perhaps more closely resembling a totem pole, this enjoyable and unmistakable modern sculpture stands as a memorial to Birmingham industrialist James Watt. The obelisk features a large block of stone, on top of which is another with the crude beginnings of a carved human head. On top of that is a third block, with more recognizable features, then another, which is still more sophisticated. The final head, at the top of the pile, is the smallest and is recognizably that of James Watt. The Wattelisk is located in front of the new Queen Elizabeth Law Courts, just off Corporation Street. Open everyday.

A real architectural gem, the foundation stone to this beautiful terracotta building was laid by Queen Victoria herself in 1887. It's not to be confused with the modern Queen Elizabeth Courts in nearby Dalton Street: not that you could confuse the two. This monumental edifice is lavishly decorated with fine sculptures and prompted a rash of terracotta buildings elsewhere in the city. The russet architectural marvel is as inviting as it is exotic. It is now home to the city's Magistrate Court

Until recently a rather shabby subway occupied this site, but now is a pleasant square with benches, trees and hedging. Situated towards the top of Corporation Street, its features include a relief sculpture depicting people and stories from the area's history (a 13th century priory once stood here, and Dr. Johnson was a regular visitor). You won't miss the distinctive sculpture of Birmingham-born comedian Tony Hancock. Not a conventional sculpture, this is a flat outline showing Hancock with his trademark hat and coat slouched over a cup of tea. With typical Birmingham wit, his statue in Old Square is close to the National Blood Transfusion Service - "The Blood Donor" was a classic episode from his hit sixties TV series.

St. Chad's is one of two cathedrals in Birmingham. Situated opposite the Thistle Birmingham City, and with one of the finest decorated church ceilings in the Midlands, St Chad's was designed by A.W.N Pugin who was at the forefront of Gothic revival architecture. It was also noted for being the first Roman Catholic cathedral to be built in England since the Reformation. The cathedral has a well-respected choir, who sing on Sundays. Do check out the website or call for timings.

St Philip's is a rare example of fine English baroque. The Cathedral is elegantly decorated with four stained glass windows by Birmingham-born Pre-Raphaelite artist Edward Burne-Jones. Its dome is based on the central dome of the Santa Maria della Salute in Venice. It is listed as a Grade I building and is the third smallest cathedral in England.