Car Hire Birmingham - Mini guide to Birmingham

Birmingham is England’s second largest city and is a busy, centrally located, city with an important industrial revolution legacy. The city is now becoming a popular convention location and is making an attempt at beautification.

Not all of the beautiful and old buildings were destroyed in the WWII bombings. St. Philip’s Cathedral, designed in the neo-classical style, was built in the early 18th century, and is the city’s central Anglican Cathedral. Here you’ll find two amazing stained glass windows, the Last Judgement, and the Nativity, Crucifixion and Ascension. A Birmingham native, Edward Burne-Jones created both.

Despite its somewhat drab reputation, Birmingham has a number of sites of cultural interest. The Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery features exhibitions of local history, art and industry. The city’s Jewellery Quarter has displays and sales of extravagant jewelry. And if you have a sweet tooth, there is Cadbury World, where you can watch chocolate being made and eat it as well.

As a modern city, Birmingham offers plenty of options for dining, accommodation and nightlife, however, if you grow weary of the urban jungle you can head to Cannon Hill Park. Just south of the city, the park has boating lakes, bowling greens, tennis courts and some nice green open space.

For JRR Tolkein fans, Sarehole Mill is nearby. This is where the author lived as a boy and the town is said to be the basis for the Hobbiton of his books.

Birmingham’s Airport offers daily flights to cities in the UK, Europe and across the Atlantic. The city is also connected to Britain’s extensive rail network.

The major suburbs in Birmingham are: Aston, Edgbaston, Handsworth, Kings Heath, Kingstanding, Ladywood, Longbridge, Mousley, Selly Oak and Sheldon.