The countdown is on! Just One Week to Go until the start of the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, July 28 – August 8, 2022. And as visitors travelling to the Games will see, sport is just the beginning in Birmingham and the West Midlands.
From Michelin-starred dining to some of Britain’s best shopping, to cruising canals, this region of England definitely deserves to be in the international spotlight. And it’s located just 1.5 hours via train from London.
Dining out has never tasted so good: The Balti Triangle is an area close to the city centre renowned for the delectable Balti, a spicy dish influenced by the flavours of Pakistan but believed to have originated in Birmingham. Birmingham and the surrounding area also have 11 Michelin-starred restaurants, more than any British city outside of London. Chocolate fans will want to visit Cadbury World, an immersive journey through the magic of chocolate making.
Discover a jewel in the crown: The national epicentre for jewellery production for more than 250 years and home to more than 700 jewellers and independent retailers, Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter is located just to the north-west of the city centre and produces an estimated 40% of Britain’s jewellery.
Enjoy top-quality shopping: The Bullring, Birmingham’s biggest shopping centre, brings together around 150 brands under one roof, as well as a host of restaurants and other eateries. Visitors should look out for sculptor Laurence Broderick’s 2.2-metre-tall bronze Bull, which oversees the entrance.
Wander the waterways: With more than 35 miles (56 km) of canals in Birmingham, and more than 100 miles (161 km) of waterways making up the Birmingham Canal Network.
Bring history to life: Visitors can journey through more than 1,100 years of Britain’s past at Warwick Castle, enjoying historic re-enactments and watching archery. Visitors can walk in the footsteps of Queen Elizabeth I at Kenilworth Castle, just a short train ride from Coventry. From its roots as a medieval fortress, to its time as one of the grandest Elizabethan palaces, the castle is steeped in tales of royalty, treachery and love. Then there’s Coventry Cathedral, an enthralling mix of old and new, with the modern cathedral sitting alongside the ruins of its 12th century counterpart, largely destroyed by bombing raids during the Second World War. Visitors can climb the 180+ steps of the tower for panoramic views of the city.
For more information visit: www.visitbirmingham.com
