Things to do in Birmingham
Venture away from upmarket Edgbaston’s stadium, hosting the first Ashes test, and you’ll find plenty of diversions.
Cricket fans may be flocking to Birmingham’s ground in Edgbaston but the leafy suburb is brimming with diversions beyond the first Ashes test. Home to a Michelin-star restaurant and a historical pub, those hunting for a memorable meal in between wickets are well catered to. Drawcards for art lovers and history buffs lie within the galleries and gardens of two of the University of Birmingham’s delightful public institutions. Read on to see for yourself:
Simpsons Restaurant
A Michelin star-holder since 1999, Simpsons is a gastronomic powerhouse helmed by owner Andreas Antona and chef Luke Tipping. Set in a heritage-listed Georgian villa where seasonal ingredients inspire an impeccable British menu, Simpsons attracts foodies from far and wide. In 2016, a substantial refurbishment and extension renewed the 30-year-old establishment, creating a warm atmosphere with views of the terrace bordered by cast-iron lacework and a groomed lawn. The menu features dishes such as Isle of Wight tomatoes, pollock with courgette, herbs and shrimp, and Devonshire white chicken, finishing with English strawberries and brown sugar tarts for dessert. Simpsons has been recognised as one of the top 10 restaurants in Britain for plant-based dining and houses the innovative Eureka Kitchen, where patrons can take cookery classes before sitting down to enjoy what they prepare.
Barber Institute of Fine Arts
Art and architecture collide at the University of Birmingham’s Grade I-listed Barber Institute. Housed in one of the city’s finest Art Deco buildings, it was designed by leading British architect Robert Atkinson, purpose built and opened by Queen Mary in 1939. The galleries display world-class collections that include masterpieces by Botticelli, Monet, Rubens, Turner and Gainsborough. Britain and Europe’s most significant coin collection features dazzling examples of Roman, Byzantine and medieval origin, while major loan showings of sculpture, prints and drawings all add to the institute’s impressive reputation. Emerging young artists, leading composers and contemporary musicians take to the stage daily in the concert hall. For cricket fans watching the action from afar, the Barber has an online exhibition, Sights of Wonder: Photographs from the 1862 Royal Tour, a collection of images captured by photographer Francis Bedford.
Winterbourne House and Garden
The grand home and its glorious gardens offer a glimpse into the idyllic life of early 20th-century suburbia. It was built in 1903 and designed to be a cutting-edge country estate for John Nettlefold and his wife Margaret, a keen gardener who lovingly designed the grounds using British horticulturist Gertrude Jekyll’s books as guides. It was bequeathed to the University of Birmingham by its last private owner, John Nicolson, in 1944, whereupon it became the university’s botanic garden. Today, the Grade II-listed property is open to the public. Visitors can stroll around the former family home, with interiors heavily influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement under which local materials and craftsmanship shone. Bedrooms, the old kitchen and billiard room evoke the Edwardian era, and the stunning terrace tea room is open daily, serving refreshments and cakes.
The Physician
Pub culture is a beloved fixture of British life, with many watering holes breathing life back into historical properties. One example is The Physician, a beautiful pub housed in the 19th-century Birmingham Medical Institute building where the enormous Sampson Gamgee Library for the History of Medicine was stored. Surrounded by manicured lawns perfect for enjoying pints of local cask ales, its white exterior with large sash windows welcomes patrons into a handsome reclaimed wooden bar. With an open fire, original architectural features including flagstone walls, and a selection of rooms to choose from, The Physician combines sumptuous interiors with delectable food. The daily menu features classic British dishes complemented by global cuisine. Thai spiced lentil soup, Lashford’s pork sausages and wild boar pie are among the offerings, along with a strong selection of wine and spirits.