BLACK COUNTRY GEM
Birmingham

Adults: £7.00  Seniors: £7.00
Availability: All year, Tuesday to Saturday
Coach miles: 5
Walking: Moderate
Wheelchair access: Good

South East of England Tourist Board

It's no secret that a new Birmingham has emerged, phoenix-like, from the ashes of its industrial past. Britain's second city is vibrant and modern but, as our day shows, has not lost touch with its history. As always, you meet our guide over coffee at 10.30a.m. followed by a gentle guided walk around the city centre which is brilliant blend of the old and new. There are also canals - more than in Venice, and our guide will point out some of the regeneration which has taken place around them. Hundreds of millions of pounds have been spent – and it

shows. After lunch we head for the jewellery quarter where many small firms have made millions of beautiful objects, stamped with an anchor, the city's assay mark. Our tour includes a visit to what was until the 1970's a working jewellery factory. Owned by the same family since the 19th century, very little changed there over the years. When the owners failed to turn up to work one morning, the whole thing remained closed until a few years ago, when it reopened as a time capsule of a museum. Finally we stop for tea and you'll be leaving by 4.45p.m.

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