Heritage weekend
Discover the best of Birmingham
Primarily known for its gritty industrial past, Birmingham also has a rich history and cultural heritage that is often overlooked. Home to leading art galleries, a multitude of museums, award-winning theatres, world-class ballet and decadent period properties, there is a lot more to the Midlands’ centre than meets the eye. At the heart of the city lies a network of 35 miles of canals. Once the life-blood of Victorian Birmingham and the Black Country, the canals are now bedecked with colourful boats offering tours of the historic architecture, while also doubling as restaurants and bars for a more opulent city view. If a tour by water is not your cup of tea, then you can follow the footpaths from the centre to the popular Brindleyplace, where the canals provide the backdrop to a wide variety of eateries and bars.
Birmingham is also home to one of the three major ballet companies in the United Kingdom. Possessing an exceptional company of dancers, Birmingham Royal Ballet presents stunning, expressive performances all year round. Staged in the beautiful Hippodrome theatre, its current production of Beauty and the Beast (19 February to 2 March) is pure romantic fantasy, while later in the year, Hobson’s Choice promises to be an extremely witty affair. To book tickets, visit brb.org.uk or call 0844 338 5000.
For a more historic experience, take a step back in time and experience the evocative reality of living in Birmingham during the Industrial Revolution with a tour of the Back to Backs. These houses were built literally back to back, designed around a communal courtyard in order to maximise architectural efficiency. See how workers lived from the 1840s
to the 1970s in these close-quarters, explore George Saunders’ tailor’s shop or have a taste of nostalgia at the 1930s sweet shop. Adult tickets are £9.50; to book call 0121 666 7671.
Where to eat
Multiculturalism is a pillar of Birmingham’s identity, something that is reflected in its diverse population and cuisines. The city is the birthplace of the balti, invented in the
1970s by Birmingham’s Pakistani residents in an attempt to make traditional Kashmiri recipes more appealing to Western tastes. Joining the ranks of Stilton blue cheese, Parma ham and Melton Mowbray pork pies, the balti was given EU Protected Name Status in 2015, meaning that any authentic balti (cooked and served in a traditional steel dish, with a specific selection of spices) should be officially be referred to as a ‘Birmingham balti’.
Located in the Balti Triangle, just a few minutes outside the city centre, Shebabs has been serving authentic Birmingham baltis for over 30 years. Serving a wide variety of the dishes, alongside other popular curries, Shababs retains the traditions of many balti restaurants by operating a ‘bring your own alcohol’ policy as well as still presenting its extensive menus underneath the glass tabletops. To book, visit shababs.co.uk or call 0121 440 2893. Just a short stroll from the city centre, The Old
Crown in Digbeth is a Grade Ii*-listed pub that claims to date back to 1368, thus making it the oldest secular building in Birmingham. It stands not only as a central hub to the lively Digbeth community but also serves as a landmark for the city. With a history that spans centuries, it’s no surprise the pub has so many stories and legends associated with its name. One of the most popular being that The Old Crown was where Queen Elizabeth I split her journey from Kenilworth Castle to London and stayed the night back in 1575.
Follow in regal footsteps and have a drink at the traditional wooden bar. Offering a wide variety of beers and ales on tap, along with a diverse cocktail menu, there’s something to satisfy every visitor. If you’re in search of something to eat, it also serves a selection of bar snacks as well as a menu of elevated pub classics including Pedigree ale battered fish and chips, and delicious sweet potato and plantain curry. For more information call 0121 248 1368 or visit theoldcrown.com. ➤