Birmingham in general

Well, recently Birmingham was short-listed to be the European capital of culture in 2008. We face stiff competition from Bristol, Cardiff, Liverpool, Newcastle & Gateshead and Oxford and the decision has had many people who do not know the city well cry out ‘what, that grim dirty hole! What do they have that’s cultural?’

Well, apart from Theatres, the Royal ballet, symphony hall, great shopping, bars and restaurants and a vast redevelopment ...
...of those who lived in Birmingham one hundred years ago and where you can learn all about the work of some of the city’s greatest figures such as Joseph Chamberlain and George Cadbury. Plus exhibits of artefacts from other ancient civilisations.

The applied art collections pay homage to Birmingham’s long history as an industrial centre. Collections of metalwork, jewellery and silversmithing work details not only Birmingham’s contribution ... more

Well, recently Birmingham was short-listed to be the European capital of culture in 2008. We face stiff competition from Bristol, Cardiff, Liverpool, Newcastle & Gateshead and Oxford and the decision has had many people who do not know the city well cry out ‘what, that grim dirty hole! What do they have that’s cultural?’

Well, apart from Theatres, the Royal ballet, symphony hall, great shopping, bars and restaurants and a vast redevelopment of the city centre due to be complete in 2006 we also do our museums pretty well too.

So, for the museum minded of you here’s an overview of some of the historical places you might want to visit when visiting the city. Not too many of course, I don’t want to bore you do I?

The Museum and art gallery
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Founded in 1885 the building is as beautiful as the art it contains. Located in Chamberlain square, a short walk from new street station the classically designed surroundings are marred only by the hideous sixties designed central library and a McDonalds (soon to be redeveloped I hear). This is where I spent a large portion of my youth. Not exactly appreciating the fine artwork on display but usually running around like lunatics on a Saturday afternoon until we got thrown out.

Its fine art collection includes a renowned permanent collection of pre Raphaelite art, Renaissance art and the work of Edward Burne Jones. This is in addition to a vast and varied collection of art from all over the world, throughout the ages.

The history collections include a comprehensive ancient Egyptian collection (my favourite always being the mummy). A local history collection detailing the living and working lives of those who lived in Birmingham one hundred years ago and where you can learn all about the work of some of the city’s greatest figures such as Joseph Chamberlain and George Cadbury. Plus exhibits of artefacts from other ancient civilisations.

The applied art collections pay homage to Birmingham’s long history as an industrial centre. Collections of metalwork, jewellery and silversmithing work details not only Birmingham’s contribution to the manufacturing world but wider aspects such as the arts and crafts movement and work from places such as Sheffield. There is also a collection of ceramics, glass and stained glass.

This simply scratches the surface of what’s on offer considering entrance if free for most of the museum, with the occasional show incurring an extra fee of no more than a few pounds.

http://www.birminghamuk.com/museum.htm

Aston Hall
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Now overshadowed by the monstrous M6 motorway Aston Hall is an impressive example of Jacobean architecture in the distinctive red hues of midland brick. Built in 1635 the house has been a country house museum since the 1940’s and houses a large collection of Furniture, textiles and paintings belonging to the museum and art gallery. I was taken here on numerous school trips as a child and wandered around the rooms and great halls, furnished, as they would have been at the time of their use and never ceased to wonder ‘what did they do without a telly?’

Various event are staged at the halls, the current one being ‘Aston Hall by candlelight’ which aims to transport back in time to experience the Jacobean Christmas.

Ticket cost £7.00 for adults, £5.00 concessions and £22.00 for a family ticket (2 adults, 3 children). It is easily accessible by bus, car and (if you’re brave enough to make the walk) rail.

http://www.birminghamuk.com/astonhall.htm

Jewellery Quarter
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A short walk from the city centre the Jewellery quarter is still very much alive. The area itself, once run down and dilapidated is undergoing something of a rejuvenation with old abandoned manufacturing buildings being transformed into high class apartments, bars and cafes, and jewellery related tourist attractions.

The museum itself is housed in the preserved workshops of and old Birmingham jewellery firm and has changed little in the last one hundred years. You can see skilled jewellery makers working using the same techniques that have been used for the last 200 years and purchase some very fine pieces in the area while you’re there.

Admission costs £3.00 for adults, £2.50 concessions and £8.00 for a family ticket (2 adults, 3 children)

http://www.the-quarter.com/index.htm
http://jquarter.members.beeb.net/

Soho House
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Formerly the home of Mathew Boulton, one of Birmingham’s most prominent industrialists, he lobbied for an assay house to be set up in the city and, with the help of James Watt, established the first steam powered mint. Soho house showcases his life and work. With a permanent exhibition dedicated to the Lunar society, a group of intellectuals including Boulton himself, James Watt, Josiah Wedgwood and Benjamin Franklin as a corresponding member.

Two miles from the city centre, it is easily reached by bus and road. Admission to the Community Exhibition Gallery, Visitor Centre and Garden is free and the museum ticket prices are £3.00 for adults, £2.50 concessions and £8.00 for a family ticket (2 adults, 3 children). The ticket can be combined with the jewellery quarter museum at a discount.

http://www.birminghamheritage.org.uk/sohohous.htm

Ikon Gallery
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Now situated in the new Brindlyplace development (yes it is one word, no I don’t know why) in oozles street this gallery is dedicated to showcasing the work of living artists. Using mediums such as photography, video and computer work alongside more traditional art forms the gallery has been an educational charity since the 60’s.

I first visited the Ikon gallery in it’s previous home in a much more run down part of the city, where it nestled behind old, dilapidated building so that you wouldn’t hardly know it was there if you weren’t looking for it. At the time there was an exhibition of photographs including one of a painted metal shelf with some scratches on it. The woman in the gallery tried to convince me that it portrayed the emptiness of modern life and if we scratch beneath the colour everything is grey. She left in despair at my eloquent observation that it was ‘crap’.

However, I’ve seen a lot of very interesting work here since, so don’t let that put you off.

Admission is mostly free with the occasional exhibition incurring an extra charge.

http://www.brindleyplace.com/What'sOn/What'sOn-Ikon%20Gallery.htm

Barber institute of fine art.
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Housed within the campus of Birmingham University the institute is a purpose built art deco building that is itself rather pretty in my opinion. Boasting artwork ranging from the 13th tot he 20th century the instituted holds paintings by Botticeli, Rubens, Van Gogh and Picasso to name but a few.

It also has a major collection of ancient coins that is the focus of a major exhibition opened in November 2002, hence I haven’t seen it.

The institute showcases a number of ‘art alive’ projects through the year and also runs workshops and study days for school children.

Admission is free and it is easily accessible by car, bus and train.

www.barber.org.uk

The Tolkien Trail
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Although not strictly a museum it is of rather topical interest and worth a mention. There was a general outcry at Birmingham’s lack of enthusiasm to capitalise on the Tolkien revival with the release of the Lord of the Rings films when every other place Tolkien lived and worked was touted as a potential tourist attraction.

Perrott’s folly and an adjacent Victorian tower in Edgbaston are widely though to be the inspiration behind the two towers of the second volume of Lord of the Rings. Sarehole mill is one of the last surviving water mills in the city and the village of Sarehole is also thought to be the place on which ‘the shire’ is based, although it was very different then to what it is now.

It is fairly obvious to anyone who has read the Lord of the Rings trilogy or seen the second of the two films that Tolkien loved nature and the earth and despaired of industrialisation. It is fairly relevant then that his childhood was spent in Birmingham during a time of mass expansion into the surrounding rural areas and its transformation into a bleak, smoggy city.

A comprehensive guide to the trail can be found here: http://www.bmag.org.uk/sarehole_mill/ in an adobe acrobat document. There is far too much for me to tell you here and having just read the guide I’m sure I would only end up paraphrasing which is a rather pointless exercise.

Others
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Other places of note include:

Blakesley hall: a Tudor house built in 1590 restored to it’s original state.

The Think Tank: Housing many of the exhibits from the old science museum (which was THE BEST museum in Brum) I haven’t been there yet so cant really do it justice, but if it’s anything like the old place GO! Go now!

The Black Country living museum: Not strictly in Birmingham so not included here but well worth a visit.

Bournville Village trust: Most people go here for the cadbury factory tour, but take your time and look around bournville village itself and Selly Manor too. I really like it round there and would love to live there, but unfortunately I cant afford the houses and being a quaker area, there are no pubs or off licences at all!

The traffic islands: yes, yes I know it sounds silly but the city has a long history of using it’s traffic islands as a showcase for art, usually relevant to the area. There is a replica of a James watt engine at one, impressive steel spitfires in Castle Bromwich where they were made, a stunning park area including a mosaic and swing sculpture at another. So if you’re travelling around and it all seems too city like for you, look out for the islands, you may see something interesting.

The tourist information office will have further information on current shows, up to date prices and opening times and can be contacted at:

Birmingham Convention & Visitor Bureau
2, City Arcade
Birmingham West Midlands
B2 4TX

Tel: 0121 643 2514

Detailed bus and train information for the city is available from: www.centro.org.uk

So, will we become European capital of culture? I don’t know, Bill Clinton gave us his backing (yes, really) so I think that may have scuppered our chances!

(N.B. I plan to have this op moved to a category dedicated to museums and galleries in Birmingham in general. If the don’t let me add the category it’ll stay here. Some of the options below aren't relevant)
 

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