From Canals and Victorians to Today's City: Birmingham Walking Tour
Overview
Find out more about Birmingham with a walking tour starting and ending at the Library of Birmingham in Centenary Square. We look at the canals, Birmingham’s industrial Georgian pioneers our Victorian heritage and the more recent architecture all around us. Current redevelopments taking place right in front of our eyes are explained and the directions that the city is taking into the future considered. The tour is based loosely on the book Positively Birmingham, currently available at the special price of £12 in the Library shop (normally £20) at tour end.
Starting and ending at the Library of Birmingham in Centenary Square this 2 hour walking tour gives a great introduction to the city and is of interest to local people and visitors alike. We support the charity Sifa Fireside who work on acute and longer term homeless issues in Birmingham, with at least 10% of all ticket sales going to their work and donations are clearly stated on our website.
Starting and ending at the Library of Birmingham in Centenary Square this 2 hour walking tour gives a great introduction to the city and is of interest to local people and visitors alike. We support the charity Sifa Fireside who work on acute and longer term homeless issues in Birmingham, with at least 10% of all ticket sales going to their work and donations are clearly stated on our website.
Inclusions
- We use a live audio system. Each guest is loaned a receiver to hear the guide who wears a radio transmitter. Guest bring their own earphones with a 3.5mm socket or we provide a new pair.
- Entry/Admission - Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
- Entry/Admission - The Cube
- Entry/Admission - The Mailbox
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Library of Birmingham 4 Centenary Square Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2ND England
We start and finish at this amazing new liibrary that is one of the major tourist attractions of Birmingham
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: International Convention Centre Birmingham, 8 Centenary Square, Birmingham B1 2EA England
We look at Symphony Hall ad the ICC and it's role in the city.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Brindleyplace, 2 Brunswick Street, Birmingham B1 2JF England
We look at the history of Brindleyplace as well as the modern day.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Gas Street Basin Gas Street, Birmingham B1 2JT England
We consider the coming of the canals and look at this amazingly atmospheric centre of the Country's canal network.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Victoria Square, Birmingham B1 1BD England
We consider public art and also the development of Birmingham during the Victorian period. We look at the developments in the up to date city
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Chamberlain Square, Birmingham B3 3HQ England
We look at the way Birmingham is moving into the future.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Museum & Art Gallery Chamberlain Square, Birmingham B3 3DH England
We pass the entrance and see the amazing 1880s design of the double portico.
Duration: 2 minutes
Stop At: The Mailbox, 7 Commercial Street, Birmingham B1 1RS England
We see the conversion of the former post office sorting office into a mixed use development which includes the Birmingham headquarters of the BBC.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: The Cube, 196 Wharfside Street, Birmingham B1 1RN England
The cube is major development at the back part of the Mailbox development. Views from the upper floors are among the best in the city.
Duration: 1 minute
Pass By: Ikon Gallery, 1 Oozells Square Brindleyplace, Birmingham B1 2HS England
The Ikon Gallery was originally built as a school and is one of over forty built by the architects Martin & Chamberlain.
Stop At: Hall of Memory, Centenary Sq., Birmingham B1 2DY England
Art Deco style memorial built originally in 1925 to remember the fallen of the First World War but now includes WW II and more recent conflicts. Houses some fantastic art deco features including William Bloye tablets.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: ICC Mall, The International Convention Centre Centenary Sq., Birmingham B1 2DY England
The main route from Centenary Square to the canalside.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Town Hall Birmingham, Town Hall Victoria Square, Birmingham B3 3DQ England
The oldest building in Victoria Square dating from 1834.
Duration: 5 minutes
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Library of Birmingham 4 Centenary Square Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2ND England
We start and finish at this amazing new liibrary that is one of the major tourist attractions of Birmingham
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: International Convention Centre Birmingham, 8 Centenary Square, Birmingham B1 2EA England
We look at Symphony Hall ad the ICC and it's role in the city.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Brindleyplace, 2 Brunswick Street, Birmingham B1 2JF England
We look at the history of Brindleyplace as well as the modern day.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Gas Street Basin Gas Street, Birmingham B1 2JT England
We consider the coming of the canals and look at this amazingly atmospheric centre of the Country's canal network.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Victoria Square, Birmingham B1 1BD England
We consider public art and also the development of Birmingham during the Victorian period. We look at the developments in the up to date city
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Chamberlain Square, Birmingham B3 3HQ England
We look at the way Birmingham is moving into the future.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Museum & Art Gallery Chamberlain Square, Birmingham B3 3DH England
We pass the entrance and see the amazing 1880s design of the double portico.
Duration: 2 minutes
Stop At: The Mailbox, 7 Commercial Street, Birmingham B1 1RS England
We see the conversion of the former post office sorting office into a mixed use development which includes the Birmingham headquarters of the BBC.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: The Cube, 196 Wharfside Street, Birmingham B1 1RN England
The cube is major development at the back part of the Mailbox development. Views from the upper floors are among the best in the city.
Duration: 1 minute
Pass By: Ikon Gallery, 1 Oozells Square Brindleyplace, Birmingham B1 2HS England
The Ikon Gallery was originally built as a school and is one of over forty built by the architects Martin & Chamberlain.
Stop At: Hall of Memory, Centenary Sq., Birmingham B1 2DY England
Art Deco style memorial built originally in 1925 to remember the fallen of the First World War but now includes WW II and more recent conflicts. Houses some fantastic art deco features including William Bloye tablets.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: ICC Mall, The International Convention Centre Centenary Sq., Birmingham B1 2DY England
The main route from Centenary Square to the canalside.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Town Hall Birmingham, Town Hall Victoria Square, Birmingham B3 3DQ England
The oldest building in Victoria Square dating from 1834.
Duration: 5 minutes
Additional information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Our route can be accessible for wheelchairs but we do need to modify the route and would appreciate an email from you if you intend to bring a wheelchair. Our Access Policy is clearly stated on the Positively Birmingham Walking Tours website.
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
- Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
- We use a live audio system. The guide uses a radio transmitter and each guest has an audio receiver loaned to them. This ensures you can hear the guide from 2m or much further if you wish. Routes are chosen to be outside in less crowded areas of the city.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 35 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
Jesmond
May 2022
All round a very good way to discover places you would never have found yourself. Knowledgeable guide. Was less interested in the modern architecture, was more interested in the older parts but that's just me. Recommended.
All round a very good way to discover places you would never have found yourself. Knowledgeable guide. Was less interested in the modern architecture, was more interested in the older parts but that's just me. Recommended.JCH2910
May 2022
Excellent tour. Tour guide very knowledgable and took us to places we would not have found ourselves
Excellent tour. Tour guide very knowledgable and took us to places we would not have found ourselvesnoberto
May 2022
Very enjoyable 2 hr tour incorporating views and the history of Birmingham. Our guide Jonathan Berg was entertaining, knowledgeable and passionate about the city. The live audio system worked very well meaning there was no shouting and you could stop and linger a little longer rather rushing to c...
Very enjoyable 2 hr tour incorporating views and the history of Birmingham. Our guide Jonathan Berg was entertaining, knowledgeable and passionate about the city. The live audio system worked very well meaning there was no shouting and you could stop and linger a little longer rather rushing to catch up. Good value and highly recommended. Thanks.Happiness64468281869
April 2022
We wanted to get a good understanding of the city, as part of our weekend away. We took the tour to achieve this aim, and our guide was hugely enthusiastic, and knowledgeable. He was a great representative for the City of Birmingham, and had detailed knowledge of the past and current history, whi...
We wanted to get a good understanding of the city, as part of our weekend away. We took the tour to achieve this aim, and our guide was hugely enthusiastic, and knowledgeable. He was a great representative for the City of Birmingham, and had detailed knowledge of the past and current history, which he explained in a clear and concise manner, with great enthusiasm.Gene_S
April 2022
Fabulous tour with Jonathan Berg. He is not only super knowledgeable but high energy. Get ready for a fun tour with fast talking and fast walking Jonathan
Fabulous tour with Jonathan Berg. He is not only super knowledgeable but high energy. Get ready for a fun tour with fast talking and fast walking JonathanbryanmW753CL
April 2022
Our guide Jonathan took us on a 2 hour tour of some of Birmingham's historically significant landmarks offering a huge range of insights and background information, all presented in an amusing and engaging manner. Great value with profits going to a local Birmingham charity so was happy to make...
Our guide Jonathan took us on a 2 hour tour of some of Birmingham's historically significant landmarks offering a huge range of insights and background information, all presented in an amusing and engaging manner. Great value with profits going to a local Birmingham charity so was happy to make an additional donation at the end of the tour for the locally produced Acme referred whistle. Would strongly recommend this and other Positively Birmingham tours above other less genuine providers.