The Hidden Gems of the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham

This is a circular walk from New Street Train Station, Birmingham to the Jewellery Quarter, viewing many landmarks on the way and returning via a different route. Alternatively, walkers have the option to reduce the length of the walk by choosing to return independently to the start by Bus, Train or Tram from the Jewellery Quarter.

The Jewellery Quarter, is regarded as the birthplace of the city’s industry helped to establish Birmingham as the ‘City of a Thousand Trades’. We will walk from the station to the Jewellery Quarter passing the Queen’s Arms, a Victorian pub in a prime TV/Film location. There is so much to see: Canals, Jewellery workshops, Georgian and Edwardian Post Boxes. Pen, Coffin and Jewellery Museums and the Chamberlain Clock.

We will also visit  Warstone Lane (including Catacombs) and Key Hill Cemeteries both Grade 2 listed Cemeteries, the resting places of many people significant to Birmingham’s growth. Banksy chose Vyse Street, in the Jewellery Quarter for some of his original artwork, to highlight homelessness and this is on view but protected by a screen.

Please bring refreshments and a packed lunch. There are toilets at New Street Station, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, St Paul’s Church (closes at 2pm) in addition to those in Commercial premises.

We will make our way back to New Street Station via St Paul’s Square, named after the Church at its centre, the last remaining Georgian Square in Birmingham. If time allows we will end our walk by a shortish visit to the the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (off peak train travel means return journeys must commence before 4.30 pm) for the Edwardian Tea Rooms, Pre-Raphaelite Art and/or the Ozzy Osbourne Exhibition.

This is a leisurely/moderate walk and includes an uphill stretch from New Street. The terrain is mainly good  pavements but the graveyard paths may be muddy and uneven.
 

Walk leader: Eileen McMahon -  07749767202