Dave Thompson QPM, Chief Constable of West Midlands Police with his suggestion for '48 Hours in Birmingham'

Although a Mancunian and someone who loves the city of his birth, Dave Thompson, Chief Constable of West Midlands Police, simply adores Birmingham.

 

Take the article below to see how Dave would recommend a visitor to our City spends '48 hours in Birmingham'.

 

For other '48 hours in Birmingham' posts and suggestions, take the project link.

As the Chief Constable of the West Midlands, it is a huge pleasure to police the incredibly diverse region of the Black Country, Solihull, Coventry and Birmingham.

 

I am a typical Mancunian and love the city of my birth but I simply adore Birmingham and can’t believe it took this job to bring me here!

 

Birmingham is bursting with youth, diversity, history and culture. The city has an outdated reputation and the 2022 Commonwealth Games will rebrand this exciting place.

 

Get ahead and get here to check the city out!

 

It's a real push to get a taste of the city in 48 hours, but let’s have a go!

 

Day 1.

 

Arrive to the Cathedral of Rail that is New Street Station. It is an inspiring gateway into the city that floods travellers with light and sound.

 

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Grand Central, Birmingham. Photo by Daniel Sturley.

 

You can literally touch the best range of shopping in England here with the Grand Central shops above you and the Bullring attached to it. Make sure you see the Bull, who is often dressed for the season.

 

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Birmingham Bull, Bullring, Birmingham. Photo by Tammie Naughton. 

 

Drop down towards St Martin’s Church between the Bullring’s Wings to catch a glimpse of Nelson and the impressive façade of the Selfridges store.

 

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Selfridges, Birmingham. Photo by Chris Fletcher.

 

As you pass the beautiful St Martin’s, set out to Digbeth.

 

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View from city centre to Digbeth. Photo by Mac McCreery. 

 

Arty and youthful now but it is one of the oldest parts of the city with interesting pubs and eateries hidden in its streets. Catch a glimpse of our beautiful 1911 Digbeth police station with its own clock as you set off down the High Street! Spot the JFK Mosaic and street art then into the Custard Factory for independent shops, art and events.

 

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Custard Factory, Birmingham. Photo by Fay Loewy. 

 

If you are here on Friday night then the Digbeth Dining Club ensures you can grab the best of Birmingham Street Food. If not, then hope for a craft fair where you can access some great artists. Alexander Edwards’ Brumhaus is my favourite.

 

Time is tight so back towards the city centre so you get to glimpse some of the Victorian Gems. Head up to St Philip's Cathedral on Colmore Row and enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city as it’s a busy intersection and all human life is here.

 

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St Philip's Cathedral, Birmingham. Photo by Mac McCreery.

 

Catch a glimpse across the road at the vista that is The Grand, 'Brum's' beautifully restored grand lady of a hotel and then down Colmore Row to the Town Hall and Council House.

 

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Council House and Queen Victoria statue, Birmingham. Photo by Daniel Sturley.

 

Keep going and end the walking at the new Library. It is a great deal more than books with amazing views across the city!

 

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Library of Birmingham. Photo by Daniel Sturley.

 

Time to relax so catch a film before you seek food or sleep. It’s a small walk back to Station Street to the lovely Electric Cinema, the UK’s oldest working cinema. Cosy, warm, great staff, a nice choice of beers and snacks and a wonderful selection of films.

 

Day 2.

 

Now try out of the city centre, as it's in Birmingham’s neighbourhoods where the diverse city comes to life!

 

Drive off along the Bristol Road, part of the old Super Prix Track (watch your speed, I am the Chief Constable!) and navigate towards Edgbaston Cricket Ground. If the cricket’s off then a leisurely stroll in Cannon Hill Park lets you feed the ducks.

 

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Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham. Photo by Daniel Sturley.

 

Birmingham has a huge number of parks but Cannon Hill has the wonderful Mac Centre where the arts and a great café live.

 

Leave the park through Moseley, (a lovely neighbourhood), before slipping onto Ladypool Road. This is the place to seek out a curry if you are peckish and it’s certainly the hub of East meets West in Birmingham. If you have time, a drive down Stratford Road will bombard you will the sights and sounds of Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities like nowhere you have been in Britain. The parking can be really quite creative too!

 

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View from City to Birmingham Central Mosque. Photo by Daniel Sturley. 

 

Head back towards the city and as you pass down Belgrave Middleway you will see the huge Central Mosque which, when built, was the largest in Europe and one of many in a city with a large Muslim community.

 

As you go back on the Bristol Road you will pass through the famous tunnels but not before you get a great view of the Library. Head up Soho Road to see the huge Nishkam Sikh Gurdwara.

 

Birmingham has one of the country’s largest Sikh communities and you will find someone to show you around and explain their faith. The Sikh faith values the tradition of Langar that ensures the Gurdwara kitchen serves all visitors a free meal regardless of faith!

 

Soho Road sees a mixture of Muslim, Sikh, Caribbean and African Communities with newer Eastern European communities.

 

Returning back down the road to the city to spend the afternoon relaxing in the Jewellery Quarter.

 

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Clock Tower, Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter. Photo by Barry Whitehead.

 

A heady mix of museums, residential, leisure, jewellers and industry, the quarter is a great place to wander around with notable restaurants and bars. Many of the shops make jewellery to order if you are after a special gift.

 

Don’t miss the wonderful St Paul’s Square built around the 1779 church. It has the most beautiful bells of any in the city and wonderful grounds to sleep off a meal and a drink in in the summer!

 

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St Paul's Church, St Paul's Square, Birmingham. Photo by Daniel Sturley.

 

It’s probably time to head back to the station but, if you have booked early, West Midlands Police may well have opened up the historic police cells at Steelhouse Lane on a visitor’s day.

 

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Mix of photos from Lock Up, Steelhouse Lane. Photos from West Midlands Police.

 

The cells were opened in 1892 and held the real Peaky Blinders and many other felons until we closed them in 2016! You may see the odd ghost by all accounts. We hope the cells will become the future museum for the force. They are amazing!

 

Time to hot foot back to New Street realising you have barely touched this gem of a city and promising to come back soon!!