ATTRACTIONS

Birmingham Attractions

Barber Institute of Fine Arts

Praised by The Observer as 'one of the finest small art galleries in Europe', the vivid red walls of the enchanting Barber Institute of Fine Arts are adorned with some of the most celebrated art from the 13th to the 20th century. Browsing the robust artworks, visitors are treated to the timeless talents of the old masters and modern pioneers such as Monet, Manet, Gauguin, Van Gogh and Degas. Offering a fascinating collection of paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures, history enthusiasts can also venture into Byzantine times at the coin gallery which hosts one of Europe's finest collections of Byzantine coins. The Barber Institute's Gallery Shop is a worthy stopover for some souvenirs and gallery related literature.

Address: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston; Website: www.barber.org.uk; Telephone: (0)121 414 7333; Transport: Bus 61, 62 and 63 leave the city centre for Corporation or Navigation Street, from where commuters can walk to the gallery. Trains leave New Street Station for University Station regularly and take approximately 10 minutes; Opening time: Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday from 12pm to 5pm. Closed on Good Friday, 24-26 December and New Year's Day ; Admission: Free

Birmingham Attractions

Balti Triangle

Any visit to Birmingham is not complete without visiting the city's curry capital and sampling its unique Balti fare. Originating from the large Kashmiri population, the Balti dish was officially discovered in 1976. The word balti means 'bucket' and refers to the round-bottomed pan, similar to a wok, which the dish is served in. A mouth-watering stir-fried curry with an amalgamation of aromatic spices, fresh herbs and tantalising masalas, newcomers should forget their knives and forks and mop up the sauce with a wad of aromatic Nan bread. Located in the Sparkbrook area ten minutes from the city centre, the Balti Triangle boasts over 50 restaurants dedicated to Eastern cuisine and a smattering of shops, ranging from Asian clothes and fashion to exotic foods and of course Bollywood merchandise.

Address: Sparkbrook area

Birmingham Attractions

Selfridges Store

A Birmingham landmark, the Selfridges store at the Bullring Market boasts a stylish design proving that contemporary architecture can thrive outside trendy London. Designed by Future Systems' architects, the knobbly silver façade was inspired by Paco Rabanne's chain mail dresses. Constructed with concrete, which was then painted a glowing blue and adorned with 16,000 polished aluminum disks to create a mottled outer skin, the contemporary construction cost just over one million US dollars to build. Transforming Birmingham's urban fabric, the store draws 1000s of visitors each week who come to witness its bizarre design and to browse the designer goodies inside.

Address: Upper Mall East, Bullring; Website: www.selfridges.co.uk; Transport: Bus or train to Moor Street Station or New Street Station; Opening time: Monday to Friday 10am to 8pm, Saturday 9am to 8pm and Sunday 11am to 5pm.

Birmingham Attractions

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery

Boasting the largest collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings and drawings in the world, the breathtaking works of Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Edward Burne Jones can be found at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. The spectacular Waterhall gallery of modern art is littered with impressionist masterpieces and is not to be missed on any trip to Birmingham and the same can be said of the Greek, Roman and Ancient Near East gallery, which never ceases to please. With fine art from the 14th century onwards and an impressive collection of archaeological finds, documenting 400,000 years of history visitors will be suitably satisfied. The Edwardian Tea Room provides a cosy space to discuss what you saw and serves warm beverages, light snacks and scrumptious cakes.

Address: Chamberlain Square; Website: www.bmag.org.uk; Telephone: (0)121 303 2834; Opening time: Various, see website for details.; Admission: Free

Birmingham Attractions

Museum of the Jewellery Quarter

Take a journey back in time at the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter. Housed in an original jewellery making factory dating from the early 1900s, the enchanting family run firm of Smith and Pepper provides a window into the ancient craft skills that made Birmingham the centre of the British jewellery industry. The factory is presented exactly as it was left when abandoned in 1981, after 80 years of jewellery making, even down to the coffee cups. The museum also uses state of the art technology to unravel the history of jewellery making in the Midlands to newcomers. Over 100 jewellery shops line the streets of the Jewellery Quarter and are a popular attraction for bargain hunters and shoppers looking for a special purchase.

Address: 75-79 Vyse Street, Hockley; Website: www.bmag.org.uk; Telephone: (0)121 554 3598; Opening time: Tuesday to Sunday, 11.30am to 4.00pm (summer); Tuesday to Saturday, 11.30am to 4.00pm (winter).; Admission: Free

Birmingham Attractions

Bullring Markets

Acknowledged as England's Best Outdoor market in 2008 by the National Association of British Market Authorities, the Bullring Open Market is renowned for its extensive range of fabrics and fresh produce. The market took the illustrious prize on account of its promotion of healthy eating policies and ongoing support of low-income families. Each year more than six million people visit the Bullring Markets, the Indoor Market, housing 140 unique stalls, best known for its fresh fish section. For a good dose of bric-a-brac meander through the smorgasbord of antiques, vintage clothing and cheap trinkets at the Rag Market, which is reminiscent of London's market culture.

Address: Bullring Centre; Website: www.bullringmarkets.com; Transport: Bus or train to New Street or Moor Street Station; Opening time: Indoor Market open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5.30pm. Open Market and Rag Market open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9am to 5pm