Birmingham

Birmingham, with a population of over one million, is widely considered to be the United Kingdom's second city.  The people of Birmingham are known as "Brummies", which comes from the city's early name of Bromwicham.

The city's reputation was forged as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution in Britain.  It is now a major international commercial centre, voted the third best place in the UK to locate a business and the twenty first best place in Europe. Recent regeneration in the city centre has seen the introduction of canal side restaurants, bars and shops. Attracting a staggering 36 million annual visitors, the Birmingham's Bullring Centre is the UK's most visited shopping destination.

Places of interest include; the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (with its renowned collection of Pre-Raphaelite art), The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, The Jewellery Quarter, Thinktank, The Birmingham Back to Backs, Symphony Hall and Sarehole Mill for fans of J.R.R. Tolkien.

Neighbouring prosperous  and popular commuter towns include Solihull and Sutton Coldfield.

Education

There are excellent state and independent schools in the region. Most of the city's state schools are community schools but there are a large number of voluntary aided schools within the state system. King Edward's School is perhaps the most prestigious independent school in the city and Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls is a well known, high achieving selective school.

Transport

Birmingham is a major transport hub on the motorway and rail networks due to its inland, central location. Birmingham International Airport, situated to the east of the city, is the UK's sixth largest airport with the second largest proportion of business traffic after London Heathrow.

Interesting Birmingham facts

• The world's first Odeon cinema opened in Birmingham in 1930.
• Britain's first ever 4 wheel petrol driven car was made in the city by Frederick Lanchester in 1895.
• Birmingham is said to have more canals than Venice.