Lecture 11. Districts and cities in the uk
Birmingham is one of Britain's most exciting modern cities. Described as "a butterfly emerging from a concrete chrysalis " it has been given a thorough makeover by a team of award-winning architects. Gone is the dreary urban landscape and concrete carbuncles, in their place are futuristic shopping centres, leafy open spaces and fashionable canal side developments. Britain's most maligned city is sexing itself up!
World War II left Birmingham devastated and destroyed much of its historic centre. For years the city's biggest claim to fame was the invention of the 'balti an exceedingly spicy faux Indian dish. Now a massive regeneration project has exposed the diverse and dynamic character of the city, the former US President Bill Clinton to label it "an extraordinary jewel of a city. "
Birmingham bustles with cosmopolitan energy and has a long history of invention and integration. One of the few buildings spared by WW II is the Italiante Council House, which boasts a domed facade and an intricate doortop mosaic depicting industry and municipality. Enjoy the view over the city's most attractive areas including the newly-modelled and pedestrianised Victoria Square.
Once you've got your bearings take a cultural stroll around some of the city's
glittering art galleries. The Museums and Art Gallery houses the world's finest collection of pre-Raphaelite art, while the Ikon Gallery's outstanding modern art works will thrill and enthrall. Another up and coming artistic attraction is the Barber Institute of Fine Arts. While away an afternoon exploring their diverse mixture of drawings, paintings and sculpture from the 13th to the 20th centuries including pieces by Rubens, Turner, Gainsborough, Monet and Van Gogh.
Birmingham is also a Mecca for chocoholics and no visit to the city would be complete without a stop-off at Cadbury World. Stuff yourself with samples as they come fresh off the conveyor belt, learn the history of chocolate and visit nearby Bourneville village, one of the world's first garden suburbs.
Other major attractions range from the IMAX to the country's largest inland aquarium, the National Sea Life Centre, to the city's latest innovation, Think-tank - Birmingham's Museum of Science and Discovery. If the weather is fine then a visit to the lush botanical gardens is a must and the perfect place to escape the city buzz.
At night the city comes alive as crowds fill the plethora of bars, restaurants, nightclubs and canal side cafes. Birmingham boasts an exciting programme of events and summer is a particularly busy time with celebrations ranging from the Lord Mayor's Parade to a firework extravaganza that lights up the entire city and is a true wonder to behold.
A visit to Birmingham is not complete without a
day trip to nearby Stratford—upon-Avon, Shakespeare country and one of the
most picturesque parts of the English countryside. Birmingham in the twenty-first century is a cosmopolitan city brimming with life and cultural energy. Further developments are planned and it is determined to compete with Northern giants such as Manchester and of course the capital for the title of best British city.