A Walk Around Birmingham, UK in 18 Perfect Instagrams

Gas Street Basin is the epicentre of the region’s canal network, and it’s a thing of real beauty.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BOmUMdMDf7H/?tagged=gasstreetbasin

And in the summer, the nearby Brindleyplace area hosts regular sporting events and films on its outdoor big screen — complete with bean bags.

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In spring you’ll want to check out the beautiful cherry blossom trees outside the Ikon Gallery — it really is a sight to behold.

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And once you’re done there, why not check out another of the city’s cultural offerings at the stunning Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery?

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But if all this walking is a bit too much for you, you can relax in one of the city centre’s green spaces, such as Eastside City Park.

http://www.instagram.com/p/BWxZ76EAvdh/

Don’t sit down for too long, though, Birmingham is one of the fastest growing cities in the UK, as the shiny New Street Station and Grand Central proves!

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But it’s not all new builds!

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There’s still life in the old dog yet.

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And if the bustle of the booming city centre is too much for you, why not hop on the number 50 bus to one of its leafy suburbs like Moseley? The south Birmingham village is packed with history and offers plentiful space to work, rest and play.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWyBOvDHiUS/?tagged=moseley

Moseley Park and Pool is pretty ace too. I mean, just look at it…

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWHmr4Wj7Je/?taken-at=255087890

Birmingham is not all walking and relaxing though. It’s also home to a number of music festivals like Made Birmingham in Digbeth, taking place on the last weekend of July each year.

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And if you’re more in to food than music, Digbeth Dining Club have got you. The street food event takes place each Friday and Saturday on Lower Trinity Street.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWj1Kv8DK5P/?taken-at=579234049

While you’re in Digbeth, you’d be silly not to check out its wonderfully gritty street art in and around Brum’s creative hub, The Custard Factory.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BTa558yAFjZ/?tagged=streetartdigbeth

And as far as things not-so-gritty go, Birmingham has an abundance of those, too. Take the Library of Birmingham’s interior, for example.

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And as for its exterior; the Library’s secret garden offers picture perfect panoramic views of the city.

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But let’s be honest, a lot of people just come to Birmingham for some old fashioned shopping at its world class shopping centre, the Bullring.

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But who’s to say a shopping centre can’t be picturesque, too? Even on a dark and stormy afternoon…

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While Birmingham might feel a little like a concrete jungle, it really offers so much more. Why not come and visit the UK’s second city for yourself?

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