Birmingham walk – Photo supplied by Tony Hisgett
| Start/Finish | Category | Distance | Estimated Walking Time |
| Chinese Quarter / Gas St Basin | History and Architecture, Tourism | 3.1 km | 45 min* |
Summary
Explores some of Birmingham’s most iconic sites including St Martin’s Square, the Great Western Arcade, St Phillip’s Cathedral, Centenary Way and the famous canal precinct.
Public transport
Catch the train to Birmingham New Street Railway Station, or a tram to Grand Central tram stop.
Directions
Starting Point – The Chinese Quarter
The Birmingham walk starts in the Chinese quarter in the city’s south side, not far from New Street train station. Entering from Hurst St walk through Pride Square and then head northeast along the Ladywell walk.
At the end of the Ladywell walk continue up Dudley St and head north to the roundabout. From the roundabout turn right and walk up Edgbaston St. This will take you to St Martin’s Square, which is the entrance to the Bullring shops and restaurants. The square is named after St Martin’s church, which has been rebuilt a number of times and is located on the site of a medieval church built in the 13th century.
Walk through the Bullring in a northerly direction heading towards St Martins Queensway. Cross the Queensway then walk in a northerly direction up High St. From High St turn left up Union St, cross Corporation St and then turn left down Cherry St. At the end of Cherry St turn right down Temple row. This will take you to Great Western Arcade. The arcade, which was built in 1876 over the Great Western Railway line contains shops on both sides, and has a clock which strikes on the quarter.
Walk through the arcade, exiting on the other side of the building, and turn left down Colmore row. This will take you past Birmingham (St Phillip’s) Cathedral constructed during 1711 and 1715. During World War II the cathedral was bombed and gutted. Its most significant treasures, several stained glass windows had been removed in the early stages of the war by the Birmingham Civic Society, and were replaced unharmed when the building was restored in 1948.
St Phillip’s Cathedral
Image: St Phillip’s Cathedral Birmingham, photo supplied by Roger Kidd
From St Phillip’s continue heading in a southwesterly direction down Colmore row, which turns into Waterloo St. From Waterloo St continue down Victoria Square and then up Chamberlain Square. You will pass both the Birmingham Town Hall and the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (BMAG). BMAG is well worth a visit and has a collection of fine art, ceramics, metalwork, jewellery, archaeology and industrial history. The Museum and Art Gallery is free to the public, except some major exhibitions, which incur a fee to enter.
Continue around Chamberlain Square to Centenary Way. Cross the footbridge over Queensway Rd and it will take you to Centenary Square. Here you will notice the Birmingham Library, a striking postmodern building completed in 2013. The exterior of the building gives reference to the city’s jewellery quarter, adding a pattern of metal rings over golden, silver and glass facades.
Just past the library take the path that goes north out of Centenary Square and joins up with Cambridge St. Continue down Cambridge St in a northwesterly direction. It will join up with King Edwards Rd. Cross Tindal Bridge then make your way down to the canal, continuing along the promenade until you come to Oozells Loop Junction Bridge.
Finish – Gas St Basin
Cross the bridge to the other side of the canal.The walk then continues around the canal along the Birmingham City Centre path in a south easterly direction until finishing just past Broad St at the Gas St Basin.
Birmingham walk – GPX file
To access to the GPX file for this walk click on the download button below.
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Birmingham walk – Map
Start – Chinese Quarter
- Chinese Quarter
- St Martin’s Square
- Great Western Arcade
- St Phillip Cathedral Church
- Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
- Town Hall
- Library of Birmingham
- Utilita Arena
Finish – Gas Street Basin
