You can take the girl out of Birmingham but you can't take the"Brummie" out of the girl.
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They say that you can take the girl out of Birmingham but you can't take Birmingham out of the girl and this is so true! I was born and bred in Birmingham and whilst the postal address is Warwickshire these days, I will always be a "brummie" girl at heart. I am proud to think of my home town as the country's second city as it is surrounded by gorgeous countryside, historic sites and the famous Black Country, (the region was given this name because during the 19th Century, smoke would billow out of the many iron working foundries clouding the air), Birmingham has its own rich historic roots, preserved by the city for centuries.
We were looking at things to do as a family and I forget that there is still so much on our doorstep. If you’re interested in history and art, go on a cultured adventure to Birmingham and get those creative juices flowing! Book yourself into a hotel near the city centre and read up on this guide for inspiration of where you can go while you are visiting.
Symphony Hall
Rated five stars on TripAdvisor, Symphony Hall stands grandly in the middle of Broad Street, Birmingham’s prime entertainment and leisure destination which contains art galleries, theatres and family orientated entertainment (aswell as a considerable number of bars and clubs that I frequented in my youth). The structural pioneer, Symphony Hall was built during the 1980s, putting Birmingham on the map, as well as creating jobs during the recession. Now the jewel of the city, the concert hall is built in a traditional ‘shoe box’ design, amplifying a rich acoustic sound. This structure harks back to the 19th century, mirroring grand concert halls such as the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.
[Picture of Symphony Hall is copyrighted by Rob Abdul via Flickr]
Electric Cinema
Now this is very cool .... the Electric Cinema is the oldest cinema in the United Kingdom. Built in 1909, the much-loved institute showed its first ever silent film on the 27thDecember in the same year. Back in those days, many homes were without power or light. Consequently, many people thought that electricity was created by the use of black magic and witchcraft. Even now, the cinema revisits this belief and its deep-rooted Edwardian history. For instance, in February 2013, teenagers from John Henry Newman Secondary School, a local catholic college with specialist status in the arts, played an interactive horror game. The activity featured amateur dramatics, including spinning a wheel that dictated what type of death they had to act out such as ‘scared to death’ and, hilariously, ‘bear attack’.
The Black Country Living Museum
It is a little known fact that Birmingham was the world’s first industrial town, emerging in the 1830s. The Black Country Living Museum captures the industrial past and offers a commentary on our developed present. A favourite among locals and visitors alike, the Black Country Living Museum has it all; costumed staff giving tours, authentic fish and chips and 26 acres of open-air history that you can immerse yourself in. They even have a vintage tour bus! Find out more about the museum by visiting their website, including details of how to get to the museum. Rest assured, you’ll be an expert on the Black Country and the industrial revolution after the enthusiastic staff are done with you!
[Picture of the Black Country Living Museum is copyrighted by Darlo2009 via Flickr]
So whilst the proposed HS2 railway is offering us quick trips to London, I think for now I should just remember to enjoy what is on my doorstep.
Disclaimer : This post is in collaboration with Novotel but all "brummie" roots are our own!
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