Wayne and Coleen Rooneys’ new stomping ground has a secret garden, ‘fun factory’ and UK’s best curry
EARLIER this week, Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney was appointed the manager of Birmingham City Football Club.
So it’s safe to say that he, Coleen, and their kids going to be spending a lot of time in my hometown.
They’re in for a treat because my home city is often overlooked as a staycation destination, which is a shame as it’s packed full of hidden gems.
Over the last decade, the city has admittedly got extra attention thanks to the internationally-acclaimed TV show Peaky Blinders, which is set in Birmingham.
The city has also been used as a filming location for grungy dystopian films like Ready Player One and Mission Impossible.
But Hollywood blockbusters and TV franchises aside, Birmingham has plenty of rarely-discovered delights.
While it may be home to popular attractions like the Bullring Shopping Centre, Cadbury World, and Ozzy (the mechanical bull), there are other places worth discovering.
And as a proud Brummie, I know exactly where tourists should go to holiday like a local.
With the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery closed until 2024, visitors will be wanting to get their fix of Pre-Raphaelite Art elsewhere.
Despite most people walking straight past Birmingham Cathedral in Cathedral Sqaure, it’s certainly worth a look inside thanks to some of its stained glass windows.
Four of the windows were designed by Pre-Raphaelite artist Edward Burne Jones and installed 1800’s.
Other hidden spots in the city centre include the Rooftop Garden in Birmingham Central Library – the biggest library in the UK, with ten levels of books, archives, photographs, workspaces, and studios.
While most visitors head into the library to borrow a book, or take a stroll among the shelves, you’d be silly to miss the secret garden.
The rooftop garden can be accessed via the seventh level of the library.
There you’ll find views of the city’s skyline, as well as colourful flowers, and several spots to sit and read.
And to make a visit even better, the library is completely free to enter, and it’s also home to an archive of plays and poems by William Shakespeare.
While Birmingham is renowned for its huge shopping centres, there are several other shopping streets within the city that deserve praise.
The Birmingham Arcades – covered shopping alleys featuring a range of independent and chain shops – are dotted all over the city, but my personal favourite is the Great Western Arcade.
It’s packed full of Victorian charm, and is home to independent retailers, pop-up shops and charming cafes.
There are also plenty of local high-streets across the city too, each with their own hidden spots.
Because I’m from the south of the city, the two high-streets I often visit, and know like the back of my hand, are down my neck of the woods.
One of those places is Kings Heath High Street.
Despire being known for its terrible traffic, there are some great hidden spots, including Kings Court Parade.
The small alleyway is tucked behind the bustling High Street and is home to some of my favourite Birmingham jaunts.
One of those is the Heath Bookshop, a newly-opened independent bookstore, with local author events and activities.
There’s also Pause Coffeshop and Bakery, which serves up a delicious Cinnabuffin (a cross between a cinnamon roll and muffin), and great coffee.
But if you don’t want to wander too far away from the city, then make sure to check out the Custard Factory – affectionately nicknamed the ‘fun factory’ among my friends.
The Custard Factory is set within a restored Victorian factory on 15 acres of land a short walk from the city centre, that features a maze of shops, restaurants, cocktail bars, a cinema, and other activities.
Head there for a spot of miniature golf at Golf Fang, or the very popular Rainbow Pub’s bottomless brunch.
For even more independents, head to Birmingham’s famous Jewellery Quarter where you’ll find plenty of jewellery shops and workshops.
Visitors can make their own jewellery at one of the many jewellery-making workshops at the Quarterworkshop.
My sister recently made three beautiful silver stacking rings at one of their sessions.
There are also several small museums tucked away in the Jewellery Quarter like the Coffin Works, the Pen Museum, and the Jewellery Quarter Museum.
After you’ve built up an appetite, head to Shabab’s Prawn Balti – the best curry house in the country according to Time Out.
While there’s always a queue going out of the door, it’s worth the wait for one of their creamy curries.
There’s also Lasan Indian Restaurant & Cocktail Bar, which is a favourite among celebrities.
Despite being a bustling city, Birmingham isn’t short of green spaces either.
While technically not in Birmingham, Earlswood Lakes is just over the border in Warwickshire.
Earlswood is a 22-acre reservoir with three pools including Terry’s Pool, Windmill Pool and Engine Pool, and it’s the perfect spot for a summer bike ride.
Birmingham is also a stone’s throw from popular UK days out like Warwick Castle and Stratford Upon Avon – both of which are accessible via train from Birmingham Moor Street station.
Direct trains operate to Birmingham from London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Bristol, Liverpool and Manchester.
There’s also a range of accommodation options available including hotels, B&Bs, and Airbnbs.
And here’s why the UK’s unlikely new ‘best city’ is my favourite weekend break – it has the friendliest people in the country.