Stay-at-home tourist: Birmingham

On Saturday I had a fabulous afternoon seeing my home city through tourist eyes; looking at it in a way I don’t generally experience.

And it was brill.

It started from the desire to go owl hunting – The Big Hoot has scattered hand painted owls all around the city to raise money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital. They’ve been around since July, but I haven’t had chance to get into the centre of town to check them out (although I did see a couple locally about a month back).

So off we went, with no particular plans apart from to find as many owls as we could and then see where the day would take us.

One thing you forget, walking round Birmingham with a purpose in mind, is how beautiful some of the architecture is.

Floozie in the Jacuzzi

Floozie in the Jacuzzi Floozie in the Jacuzzi 2

Town Hall

Birmingham Town Hall

St Philips Cathedral (with added owl!)

St Philips Cathedral

Museum and Art Gallery

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery

Birmingham Victoria Square

Council House

Birmingham Council House

One such piece of architecture is the new (ish) library. I never truly appreciated what a structure it is. In the past I would have classed myself as not being a fan, but for the first time I went up close and personal and was astounded. The circular metal cladding gives the building an industrial feel.

Birmingham Library

Birmingham library looking up

Inside, all the escalators have futuristic blue lights.

Inside Birmingham Library

I didn’t realise until recently that the building has two outdoor viewing platforms, with gardens.

Birmingham library viewing platform 2

Birmingham library gardens

Birmingham library viewing platform

The views across the city are pretty cool.

View from Birmingham Library viewing platform

View from Birmingham library secret garden

Out of towners often think of Birmingham as being dull and bleak, but there are flowers everywhere.Birmingham flowers 1

Birmingham flowers 3

Birmingham flowers

Birmingham flowers 4

And miles of canals.. Hard to believe that I’ve lived in or around this city my whole life and didn’t actually realise how beautiful the canal area is.

Birmingham canal 3

Birmingham canal 2

We found about 30 owls altogether, here are some of my favourites.

Night owl

Owl by Night

Bob the Bat

Bob the Bat owl

Clash

Clash owl

Tick Tock

Tick Tock owl

I love living in Birmingham!

Do you ever look at your home town through fresh eyes?

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