Birmingham  is a city and metropolitan borough of the county of West Midlands, England, standing on the River Rea. It is the largest and most populous city in the United Kingdom, as well as the centre of the second largest urban area (after London), with an estimated population of 1,101,360 as of 2014. 

To the south west of the city lie the Lickey Hills, Clent Hills and Walton Hill, which reach 1,033 feet (315 m) and have extensive views over the city. Birmingham is drained only by minor rivers and brooks, primarily the River Tame . Birmingham has a temperate maritime climate, like much of the British Isles. Birmingham has many areas of wildlife such as the Woodgate Valley Country Park and in a selection of parks such as Lickey Hills Country Park, Handsworth Park, Kings Heath Park, andCannon Hill Park, the Birmingham Nature Centre.

Once famous as a 'City of a Thousand Trades', Birmingham was a world leader in the production of pens, buckles, buttons, jewellery and guns. From the 16th century Birmingham was transformed from a market town to an industrial centre. Industries such as cutlery, weapons and ultimately guns were drawn to Birmingham owing to its central location, good transport links and natural resources.  At the beginning of the 20th century Birmingham adapted to the new way of life as electrical engineering and car manufacturers becoming the dominant industries in the city. Innovative new industries are rapidly making Birmingham their home, from graphic designers to computer game programmers, and are supported by its world-renowned universities and colleges.

You can explore the city’s history by bus, boat or foot

Birmingham has got more miles of canals than Venice and there’s nothing quite as relaxing as admiring the city skyline from the water. 

Birmingham has some of the most experienced and passionate Blue Badge Guides. Routes and their fascinating stories will tell about the city and its people.

. Birmingham is home to many national, religious and spiritual festivals including a St. George's Day party. The city's largest single-day event is its St. Patrick's Day parade (Europe's second largest, after Dublin). The Birmingham Heritage Festival is a Mardi Grasstyle event in August. Caribbean and African Culture are celebrated with parades and street performances by buskers. 

St Martin's Church is one of Birmingham’s oldest buildings. 

A few other buildings from the medieval and Tudor periods survive, among them the Lad in the Lane and The old Crown, the 15th century Saracen's Head public house.

A number of Georgian buildings survive, including St. Philip's Cathedral, Soho House, Perrott's Folly, the Town Hall and much of St. Paul's Square

Birmingham’s fascinating history goes back as far as 10,500 years ago, when Stone Age hunters settled along the River Rea valley. The Romans also left their mark on the city’s landscape, with a  fort near Harborne and many roads that cross the area.

It is believed a small Anglo-Saxon settlement existed close to the River Rea . The name of this settlement was Birmingham. The original meaning of the name is the settlement (ham) of the followers (ing) of Beorma, who is believed to have been a Saxon warrior or nobleman.

In July 2009 incredible Anglo-Saxon artefacts were discovered in the Birmingham region. The 3,500 pieces of gold and silver items date back to the 7th century Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia. They are displayed in the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and has been the subject of international attention from as far as the Smithsonian in Washington and the Louvre in Paris.

Birmingham’s early history as a major settlement dates back to the early 12th century when Peter de Bermingham, holder of the manor of Birmingham, gained the right to hold a weekly market. In the Doomsday Book of 1086, Birmingham was valued at the modest sum of £1 with a total of 9 houses. In 1166 Peter de Bermingham laid  the foundations for Birmingham to develop as a market town. 

The Birmingham Wholesale Markets remain the largest combined wholesale food markets in the country,^[  selling meat, fish, fruit, vegetables and flowers and supplying fresh produce to restaurateurs and independent retailers. You can taste simple dishes that explore the city’ past, present and future