Having explored the city centre the previous day, we decided to venture further out and explore more of what Birmingham had to offer..
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We started the day with a leisurely breakfast and once we were fully contented we slowly made our way to the bus stop, to catch the bus to the Botanical Gardens. The journey took us about ten minutes and we were conveniently dropped off just outside the entrance. The Gardens were just opening as we walked into the foyer and bought our tickets. It was nice and quiet, with few people yet on the move.
The first area we entered was full to the brim with exotic plants representing both tropical rainforest and arid desert and off to the side was the Japanese and Bonsai displays.
After a good look around we eventually emerged from these ‘exotic climes’ inside, out into the fresh air. There was still a slight chill to the air as we strolled around the gardens. We began by following the path around the perimeter hedge and dropped down through the rhododendrons and herbaceous borders to the Butterfly House. Always fascinating, these humid oases cater for the large, richly-coloured butterflies of the tropics, and we must have picked the ideal time to visit as the glasshouse was a visual feast, with beautiful butterflies flitting hither and thither and occasionally resting nearby. In addition there were others just emerging from the chrysalis stage and drying out their wings.
After admiring the butterflies, we strolled back up the hill, passing various planted beds on the way, to play ‘find the bird’ in the Garden’s Aviary. Although reasonably small, the aviary provided a variety of species with plenty of contrasting sizes, colours, plumage and calls. Always a favourite of mine!
It was soon time for a sit-down on one of the park benches where apart from taking a well-earned breather we were able to admire some of the statuettes that had been ‘planted’ in front of the aviary. The vast majority were stylised pieces of African art they gave pause for some thought and reflection.
From there it was back up past the tea room and along the terrace, taking in one or two of the glasshouses on the way. We decided that we had seen most of what there was to see and that it was time to catch the bus back into the city centre. From there we had decided to make our way to the second chosen place of interest, Aston Hall.
Top Tip: Aston Hall offers free admission on the first Sunday of the month. To get to Aston Hall from the city centre, take bus number 7 as far as Witton Lane. From there, Aston Hall is a few minutes away by foot.
On our way to Aston Hall, our route took us past Aston Villa‘s football ground. Aston Villa just happens to be my boyfriend’s favourite team so naturally I had to stop and take few photos to send through to him!
Once past the ground it was but a few more minutes to the park and then a short climb up to the Hall. Our first stop on arrival was the café for some refreshments and from there a short walk through to the front of the house. One of the last great Jacobean houses to be built, the house now stands as a magnificent seventeenth century red-brick mansion in the middle of Aston Park. The layout of rooms remains largely unchanged, and they are linked by the original imposing grand staircase and splendid Long Gallery. The house still retains many early seventeenth century decorative features in stone, plaster and wood. Well worth a visit!
From the Hall we made our way, once again by bus, back into the centre. It took about ten minutes to get back into town and once off the bus we meandered with the crowds along the High Street to the Bull Ring. A very quick look inside the shopping centre (cannot suppress the urge!) before making a few attempts to get a good photo of the famous bull itself (without any supporting cast!) and it was then time to think about a late lunch.
An hour or so later, and after gorging on pizza and sorbet, we were ready once more to hit the road. We continued our walk along New Street and then followed our normal route back to Canalside. Instead of going over the bridge as normal we turned to the right and walked alongside the canal as far as the Malt House, crossed over to the other side (by the National Indoor Arena) before re-crossing the canal to get back to Brindley place. Historically this was a ‘crossroads’ for water-traffic as the canals split here, offering four different routes for navigation purposes. To complete our exploration of this now ‘busy’ part of the city we made our way back through Central Square and the streets feeding off from it. We were soon back on Broad Street and from there it was just minutes before we were back at base and our hotel.
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Birmingham had really impressed me – not only does the city centre have a variety of activities and sights for every category of visitor, it has its industrial history, fully documented in its museums, its centre provides a good range of shops and markets but also I was pleasantly surprised with what you can find if you venture further afield and escape the hustle and bustle of the city centre. Wherever you go you can be sure of a good ‘Brummie’ welcome!
