Birmingham New Street Station is the busiest train station in the UK outside of London. With Over 140,000 passengers using the station every day. Residents in the Midlands, are literally located in the middle of the country, which makes Birmingham incredibly accessible. In fact, you can get to 90 per cent of the UK in under four hours!
In 1838 the original station for Birmingham was at Curzon Street and opened by the London and Birmingham Railway. Curzon Street was joined next door by another station the Grand Junction Railway & a short distance away by another for the Birmingham and Derby Junction Railway.
In 1846 London & Birmingham and Grand Junction railways merged together and formed London and North Western Railway (LNWR). At this point it was decided that a more conveniently located station would be built and this became known as Birmingham New Street.
In 2010 Network rail announced a new regeneration scheme for New Street. Alongside the station redevelopment, the shopping centre above the station was upgraded and opened up as Grand Central. The £750m re-development was completed in 2015 and has transformed the experience for passengers and improved transport links across the UK
The world’s oldest steam engine in working order was designed by James Watt has been brought back to life in Birmingham, England, where it was built in 1775. James Watt constantly engaged as an ardent experimental scientist whose enquiring mind took him well beyond the knowledge required to make the efficient steam engines which powered the Industrial Revolution. The Smethwick engine was the forerunner of all the steam engines which powered the Industrial Revolution in Britain and the world beyond.
The Commonwealth Games Birmingham 2022 will be being held from 28th July. However, due to national rail strikes being called by the RMT passengers should only attempt to travel by train if necessary and must re-check train timetables.
Birmingham International Airport is the third largest airport in the UK, and the city sees over one million international visitors each year.
Did you know that Birmingham has more canals than Venice and that the original canal system dates back to 1768.
Birmingham is officially the youngest city in Europe, as roughly 40% of their population is aged 25 and below.
If you asked a Brummie what they thought their city of Birmingham is most famous for, they would probably reply “Cadbury’s”.
Not only is Birmingham famous for being the chocolate capital of the UK, but it is also the curry capital of the UK.
The BBC has recently shone a light on the rich culture and history of Birmingham with its hit-success of a TV series Peaky Blinders, telling the story of a real gang that operated on the streets of Birmingham in the early 20th century.
The FA cup was made in Birmingham and the first ever football league started here.
Edgbaston, Birmingham’s world- famous cricket stadium which frequently hosts international Test Matches.
Birmingham is the birthplace of the Prince of Darkness himself, Ozzy Osbourne, as well as the other members of Black Sabbath.
In fact, during the late 20th century, Birmingham was famous for creating some of the biggest-selling artists in the world, including Duran Duran, UB40, Electric Light Orchestra, The Moody Blues, The Streets, Dexys Midnight Runners, and loads more.
Birmingham Hippodrome is the busiest theatre in the UK, with over 520,000 visitors each year.
The Electric Cinema, located in Birmingham city centre is the oldest working cinema in the UK.
Birmingham is one of the greenest cities in the UK with over 8,000 acres of parks and open space (which is more than Paris!).
Birmingham Bullring is one of the largest shopping centres in the UK.
Image credit Network Rail