St Philip’s Square
>
Admission to the Cathedral is free so you can wander in and enjoy it from the inside.
In the winter, pre-Christmas, they have choir practice here in the evenings, including
some of the classic Christmas carols.
>
On the other side of the Cathedral, walk bearing right so you end up with The House
of Fraser Department Store on your right. On the left is the Great Western Arcade,
built in the 1850’s. There are some lovely independent shops here and an even nicer
cake shop on the corner just in front of you.
>
With the Cathedral behind you and House of Fraser on your right, begin the walk
back to Aston University. Head downhill, across the road and through the covered
shopping arcade (The Minories) onto the other side.
>
In the middle of the traffic roundabout is an art installation featuring Tony Hancock,
the famous Birmingham comedian. Cross at the pedestrian crossing and head back
down to the bottom of Corporation Street where you’ll be able to see the skyline of
Aston University on the right. Retrace your steps back to the Main Building.
Walking Tour of
Birmingham
Aston University
Schools & Colleges
Liaison
www.aston.ac.uk
0121 204 4771
Aston University Walking Tour of Birmingham www.aston.ac.uk/birmingham
Printed November 2013
Aston University Campus
Welcome to Aston University and Birmingham.
This short guide will take you around Birmingham city centre,
pointing out the best of the sights. With a few trivial facts thrown
in for good measure, we hope you enjoy yourselves. The tour
begins outside the Main Building at Aston University.
A route map can be found on the back page.
Chamberlain Square
>
This is also home to the controversial Iron Man statue. It was erected in 1993 and
designed by Anthony Gormley, also responsible for the much praised “Angel of the
North” in Gateshead. At the top of the steps is the Council House, a grand building
dating back to 1934.
>
Follow the building round to the left from Victoria Square. The large building on
your left is the Town Hall (Aston University’s Graduation Ceremonies are held here
each year) and to your right is the Museum and Art Gallery. The gallery is famous for
housing a permanent collection of Pre-Raphaelite art and an outstanding collection
of glass, ceramics and costumes. There’s also a lovely Edwardian tea-room inside
that’s well worth a stop.
>
>
Walk up the steps and then through Paradise Forum to come out into Centenary Square.
>
Out the other side of the ICC is Brindley Place, set beside the canal, it is a very popular
place for bars and restaurants. It also has the National Sealife Centre, which is the UK’s
largest and has a 360 degree transparent tunnel. Just beyond Brindley Place, to the left,
is Broad Street, a popular area for going out.
>
Behind Brindley Place is the National Indoor Arena (NIA) which is a huge venue that
hosts many concerts, events and exhibitions.
>
From here you can also walk along the canal to The Mailbox, an indoor shopping centre
filled with designer shops (including Harvey Nichols), restaurants and bars overlooking
the canals. The regional BBC Studios are located here. You will also notice The Cube,
an unusual square shaped building that’s home to more apartments and restaurants.
>
Retrace your footsteps back towards Victoria Square. If you walk back towards the
Council House, keeping the large fountain on your right, head straight for the street in
front of you, Colmore Row, with ‘Starbucks’ in the glass fronted building. As you walk
down Colmore Row you will see St Phillip’s Square and the Cathedral on your right.
The Cathedral was built between 1709 and 1715. Continued...
> Walk out of the front of the Main Building with the fountains and grass on your left and
head towards the Library. Turn right just before the Martin Luther King Centre and
follow signs for the city centre, walking past the sports pitch and the Campus Lake,
keeping the lake on your left. Walk past the Lakeside Residences and cross James
Watt Queensway bearing slightly to the right, arriving onto Corporation Street on the
other side. The STA travel shop should be on your left hand side. If you can’t see it
then you’re on the wrong street, in which case back track and bear around the corner
to the left.
> Continuing up Corporation Street (a slight slope) you’ll pass a few restaurants, takeaways and cafés on the left, many of which are favourites of Aston students. You
will pass the red-brick Law Courts and Central Hall. Two pedestrian crossings on
Corporation Street will take you across a large traffic roundabout. You’re now reaching
the main shopping area of Birmingham.
> Walking down Corporation Street, you’ll notice named high street stores to include
House of Fraser. A new Tram system is being installed on Corporation Street, which will
link New Street and Snow Hill Stations to Wolverhampton in the West. The project is
due to complete in 2015 so expect some roadworks on Corporation Street. Continue
to the bottom where you’ll find a large Waterstones behind which is the main entrance
to Birmingham New Street Station. They are totally renovating New Street Station and
the project is due to be completed by 2015. The renovation project will include another
brand new shopping centre with a John Lewis store.
> To your left (and around 200 metres along New Street) is the Bullring Shopping Centre,
which is well worth a visit. It is dubbed as Europe’s shopping capital and has 26
football pitches worth of shops, boutiques and restaurants. Shops include Selfridges,
Debenhams, Superdry and Forever 21. Walking back along New Street from the Bullring
you can make your way towards Victoria Square.
> When you reach the square you’ll see the large fountain in the middle. The fountain is
fondly known as the “the Floozy in the Jacuzzi” but actually represents the life force
of “The River”. It is one of the largest fountains in Europe, with a flow of 3,000 gallons
per minute.
Once through the walkway, the little domed building in front of you is the Hall of
Memory which remembers those lost in conflicts around the world. Walking towards
the large glass building at the far end of the square, you’ll pass the new Library of
Birmingham which opened in September 2013. With 10 levels it is one of the largest
public libraries in the world. You are welcome to take a look inside. Past the library you
will see the International Convention Centre (ICC), which is a public walkway. Inside the
ICC, there is the Symphony Hall which is home to the City of Birmingham Symphony
Orchestra (CBSO).
Aston University Walking Tour of Birmingham www.aston.ac.uk/birmingham