Greetings, folks. I'll be passing through Birmingham for a couple of days or so... any sites of interest to recommend to this student of pop culture?

I'm actually on my way to Stratford but since I'm writing about Duran Duran this year, thought it might be fun to do a bit of knocking about Brummieville.

All advice greatly appreciated.

Heiress said:

Duran Duran!!!!! ...and London's not far from Birmingham hon

Heiress said:

Well Toni and Simon are near there but as far as Birmingham goes even they will admit cough*****shithole*****cough

Karen, Toni, Simon and I had a very lovely dinner at a place called The Living Room.

I think the rest of the stuff we did wasn't exactly in Birmingham...

You could tour through the Cadbury Chocolate factory too. That was so much fun.

CarrieMpls said:

Birmingham itself it nice but the best stuff is AROUND Birmingham my fave place in all of England I've seen so far Toni first took me to a long while ag now - it's called Ironbridge Gorge and it's absolutely beautiful

Natisse said:

Toni took us there too. I adored it.

CarrieMpls said:

awesome!! glad you got to see it hon

Natisse said:

I have just two overnights in Brummietown, love. Then it's back to the ol' Frenchies.

mdiver said:

Should I bring a gas mask?

CarrieMpls said:

there's a chocolate factory???

Ah... I shall note the Living Room, thank you.

CarrieMpls said:

Thanks, noting all...

Any good places to hear music?

Whatever became of the ol Rum Runner, incidentally?

I've been there...if you've got a nice day it's pleasant just to be outside.
[Edited 3/14/06 7:21am]

Heiress said:

Do go to the Living room!

Ironbridge is great and if you can slip off some over into Leeds and York you wont be disappointed..... High tea in York is amazing! (God knows if I am spelling that right... I have only heard it said...)

applekisses said:

I'll be hanging out a bit around the University, close to where my friend lives... since I'm there in April, er, it'll probably be all at the same time.

Muse2NOPharaoh said:

Sounds like there's a few interesting things AROUND Birmingham. But not particularly in the town itself. Poor Birmingham!

Why does nobody stop in Sheffield?

JDINTERACTIVE said:

I thought of you, actually! They tell me Sheffield is a great place, laid back & all.

It's just that I have to be a week in Stratford, and Birmingham is the closest airport. Train to Stratford only 50 minutes away.

Someone needs to stand up for Birmingham!

For music go to The Academy (live bands) or Bamboo (cool club apparently) or Snobs for studenty retro stuff. Go drinking in The Arcadian area (China Town). Then, go shopping in the Bullring. For great food go to Bank (off New Street) or go and have a curry.

See! Loads to do!
[Edited 3/14/06 23:56pm]

Muse2NOPharaoh said:

Is spelt Haetea

sj1600 said:

I think curry is to England what couscous is to France.

I have noted all of these recommendations, thank you so much for them all. My old pal in Birmingham- who just decided to curtail one of her globe-trotting excursions to meet up with me - just so happens to speak Chinese & is crazy about all of the above so I'm betting she knows China Town in and out...

PREDOMINANT said:

So what's "low tea?"

I have never done tea in a restaurant. Maybe that's something to do this time around.