---

 

 

 

Birmingham Leasing

Did You Know?

There are 571 parks in Birmingham – more than any other European city – totalling over 3,500 hectares of public open space. Sutton Park is the largest urban park in Europe and a National Nature Reserve.

Britain’s most famous and best-loved plane was built in Birmingham – the Spitfire. The original Mini Cooper was also manufactured here for 41 years, not to mention the famous Rover and Land Rover.

Bingley Hall, the world’s first exhibition hall, opened in 1850 on the site now occupied by the ICC, also the home to Birmingham’s very own symphony hall. It was built to exhibit all of Birmingham’s wonderful products.

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is an excellent cultural venue in central Birmingham that has huge rooms devoted to Pre-Raphaelite art. In total, the museum has over 3,000 paintings, drawings and prints, although not all of them are on display.

Look at any map and you can tell instantly that Birmingham is a landlocked city, but it’s actually the most inland major city in the country. While the most inland place in the UK is found in nearby Derbyshire, Birmingham is still a fairly distant 125 miles from the coast

Most locals are well aware that JRR Tolkien grew up in Birmingham, moving to the city with his parents when he was 3 years old. He lived in several areas of the city, most notably in Moseley. In fact, you can find a blue plaque dedicated to the author at Sarehole Mill, which is said to be the inspiration for the Old Mill in Hobbiton.

Of all the Paddies Day celebrations across England, Birmingham’s is the biggest and best. Around 100,000 people are estimated to celebrate throughout the city, with the biggest parties happening in Digbeth, just south of the city centre. St Patrick’s Day, the celebration of the patron saint of Ireland, is held every year on 17th March.

Forget what you think you know about libraries. The Library of Birmingham has reimagined the whole concept for the digital age, with surprises in store, inside and out. The building itself is a real head-turner, with a 7th-floor garden and several spacious viewing platforms.

Officially known as the Frankfurt Christmas Market Birmingham, it runs from early November right up to Christmas. Have your fill of schnitzels and bratwursts, drink hot chocolate and Glühwein, before browsing the 80 different shops and stalls to pick up a whole range of artisanal presents – from toys to jewellery and plenty of kooky homeware.

Birmingham is the second largest city in the United Kingdom in regards to population and one of the most densely populated places in the country outside of London. From here you can reach 90% of the rest of the UK within 4 hours, and the city has around 34 million visitors a year.