The city of Birmingham has some fantastic landmarks that you won’t want to miss. Here’s some of the best Birmingham landmarks for you to check out.
Birmingham Landmarks
Library of Birmingham1. The Library of Birmingham
The Library of Birmingham is an iconic piece of architecture. It opened in 2013 and is the largest public library in the United Kingdom and the largest regional library in Europe. Birmingham Library features the largest collection of Shakespeare as well as rare books and archives, and photography.
It is a 10-story library featuring a unique architectural facade that definitely needs to be seen in person to truly appreciate.
Centenary Sq, Broad St, Birmingham B1 2EA
2. Selfridges at the Bullring
Completed in 2003, the futuristic facade of the Selfridges building at the Bullring shopping centre is an iconic part of the Birmingham architectural landscape. The facade comprises of 15,000 anodised aluminium discs mounted onto a blue background. The building won multiple awards after it was built.
The Bullring, Moor Street Queensway, Birmingham B5 4BP
3. Rotunda
The Rotunda is a cylindrical high-rise building. It is a grade 2 listed-building and stands at 81 metres (266 ft) tall. Completed in 1965, it’s a great example of post-war architecture and ambition from the 60s. It was originally an office building but has since been converted into private apartments and serviced apartments.
Moor St, Birmingham B5 4BL
Birmingham Town Hall4. Birmingham Town Hall
Birmingham Town Hall is a concert hall and venue for popular assemblies opened in 1834. It is located on Victoria Square. Birmingham Town Hall is a Grade I listed building. The building is a great example of 19th-century Roman-revival architecture, with the design based on the proportions of the Temple of Castor and Pollux at the Roman Forum. Inside there is a 6,000 pipe organ. And the venue has been host to many legendary musicians and bands such as The Beatles, Buddy Holly, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan.
Victoria Square, Birmingham B3 3DQ
5. Old Joe
The Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Clock Tower, also known locally as ‘Old Joe’, is located at the University of Birmingham in Edgbaston. It is the world’s largest free-standing clock tower standing at 100 metres (328ft) tall. The tower built to commemorate Joseph Chamberlain, the first chancellor of the university. It is a grade II listed building and was completed in 1908.
Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Clock Tower, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT
6. Sarehole Mill
Sarehole Mill is a 250 year-old watermill that is thought to have inspired the author J.R.R Tolkien for his Lord of the Rings novels. Sarehole Mill was built in 1771, and is now a museum with guided tours.
Cole Bank Rd, Birmingham B13 0BD
7. Gas Street Basin
Gas Street Basin is a canal basin in the centre of Birmingham where the Worcester and Birmingham Canal meets the BCN Main Line. It is located on Gas Street, off Broad Street, and between the Mailbox and Brindleyplace canal-side developments. The area is now known for its canalside bars and restaurants.
42a Gas St, Birmingham B1 2JT
8. Birmingham Back-to-Backs
The Birmingham Back to Backs (also known as Court 15) are the city’s last surviving court of back-to-back houses. They are preserved by the National Trust as an example of the thousands of similar houses that were built around shared courtyards for the rapidly increasing population of Britain’s expanding industrial towns in the 19th century.
50-54, 55-63 Inge St, Hurst St, Birmingham B5 4TE
9. Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
The Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is a Victorian building located on Chamberlain Square and Victoria Square. A grade II listed building it houses important collections such as Pre-Raphaelites, Staffordshire hoard and other artefacts of historical and cultural importance.
Chamberlain Sq, Birmingham B3 3DH
10. Victoria Square – Floozie in the Jacuzzi
The Floozie in the Jacuzzi is the local nickname for the sculpture and fountain in Victoria Square that is actually called The River. The artwork is designed by Indian sculptor, Dhruva Mistry.
Victoria Square, Birmingham B2 4DU
11. Cadbury World – Bournville Factory
Cadbury World is a tourist attraction at the world famous Bournville factory, home of Cadbury’s chocolate. Built in the late 19th century, the factory and the surrounding area are a great example of the new style of factory and working conditions spearheaded by the Cadbury’s family.
Cadbury World, 69 Linden Rd, Bournville, Birmingham B30 1JR
12. St Philip’s Cathedral
St Philip’s cathedral, also known as Birmingham cathedral, is a Georgian baroque cathedral with notable stained glass. The cathedral of Birmingham is a Christian Church of the Anglican Communion and seat of the Bishop of Birmingham. The cathedral regularly holds Mass, events & concerts.
Cathedral Square, Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 2QB
13. St Martin in the Bull Ring Church
St Martin church is the original parish church of Birmingham. It currently stands between the Bull Ring Shopping Centre and the markets. The original church was built in the 13th century, but the current church building was built in 1873 in the neo-gothic style.
Edgbaston St, Birmingham B5 5BB
14. The Old Crown – Digbeth
The Old Crown is a pub in Digbeth/Deritend. It is one of the oldest buildings in Birmingham, originally built around 1368, retaining its black and white” timber frame. Most of the rest of the building was modified in the 1500s.
188 High St, Deritend, Birmingham B12 0LD
15. Ikon Gallery
The Ikon Gallery is a contemporary art gallery, located in Brindleyplace. It is housed in the Grade II listed, neo-gothic building built in 1877. The building was originally built as a Victorian boarding school called the Oozells Street Board School.
1 Oozells St., Birmingham B1 2HS
16. Spaghetti Junction
Spaghetti Junction is the local name for the Gravelly Hill Interchange, a major road junction between the M6 motorway and the A38(M) Aston Expressway. The interchange also provides access to the A38, A5127, and several other roads. The junction also crosses over two railway lines, three canals, and two rivers. The interchange junction covers an area of 30 acres, with 5 different levels and 559 concrete columns. Spaghetti junction gets its name because it looks like a mass of spaghetti when viewed from above.
Junction 6, M6
17. Millennium Point
Millennium point is a landmark building home to the ThinkTank science museum, Birmingham City University, and a conference and event space. The building is constructed mainly as a cuboid, with a cylindrical offshoot holding the cinema. This annexe glows different colours at night. The front facade is mainly glass, and is covered in long slats with the logo of Millennium Point revealed behind.
Curzon St, Birmingham B4 7XG
18. Aston Hall
Aston Hall is a Jacobean house in Aston, Birmingham. It was built between 1618 and 1635 and a great example of a Jacobean ‘prodigy house’. Inside there are some key architectural features such as the Long Gallery and a great oak staircase the still shows marks from the English Civil War.
Trinity Rd, Birmingham B6 6JD
19. Beetham Tower
Beetham Tower is a skyscraper in central Birmingham. Also known as 10 Holloway Circus or the Holloway Circus Tower. The building is 122 metres (400ft) tall, and stands-out with it’s aqua blue facade. The 39 floor building is mostly home to apartments, as well as 19 floors dedicated to the Radisson Blu hotel.
10 Holloway Circus, Queensway, Birmingham B1 1BY
Iron:Man Sculpture Statue in Birmingham20. Iron:Man
The Iron:Man statue is a sculpture by the famous artist Antony Gormley. The statue is located in Victoria Square in Birmingham city centre and stands at 6 metres (20ft) tall. The unique metal sculpture leans at an angle of 7.5° backwards and 5° to its left. The piece of art, made of cast iron, represents the traditional skills and trades of Birmingham and the Black Country, especially given the influence and importance of the area during the Industrial Revolution. Iron:Man was Sir Anthony Gormley’s first public piece of art, as he was later known for the colossal Angel of the North sculpture in Gateshead.
Victoria Square, Birmingham, Birmingham B1 1BD
21. Perrott’s Folly
Perrott’s Folly, also known as The Monument or The Observatory, is a 29 metres (96ft) tall tower. It was built in 1758 by a local landowner, and is thought to possibly be an inspiration for the Two Towers in J.R.R. Tolkien’s books as he lived nearby as a child.
44 Waterworks Rd, Birmingham B16 9AL
22. BT Tower
The BT tower is a telecommunications tower stands at 140 metres (460ft) high. It is currently the tallest structure in the city of Birmingham.
86 Lionel St, Birmingham B3 1DG
Chamberlain Memorial and Fountain23. Chamberlain Memorial
The Chamberlain memorial, also known as the Chamberlain memorial fountain, is Victorian monument built to commemorate Joseph Chamberlain. Built in the neo-gothic style and reminiscent of the Albert memorial, it was completed in 1880. Standing in Chamberlain Square the monument features a spire, carvings, and mosaic.
Chamberlain Sq, Birmingham B3 3DQ
Enjoy the Birmingham landmarks!
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