Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery (BMAG) — a magnificent Victorian building opened in 1885, housing the world's largest and most complete collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings, with masterpieces by Burne-Jones, Rossetti and Millais that dazzle the eyes. The 2009 Staffordshire Saxon Gold Hoard — the largest-ever discovery of Anglo-Saxon gold and garnet weapon fittings, unearthed in fields north of Birmingham — shook the world. From Industrial Revolution gears to civil rights movements, "The Birmingham Story" gallery distils the soul of this city. A one-day in-depth tour covers the permanent collection, special exhibitions and a stroll along the nearby canals.
From the dreamlike colours of the Pre-Raphaelites to the thousand-year radiance of Saxon gold, step inside the magnificent Victorian halls and feel the soul of Birmingham from the Industrial Revolution to contemporary art
In the morning, walk 5 minutes from Birmingham New Street station to BMAG beside Victoria Square. This magnificent building opened in 1885 is itself a work of art — mosaic floors, painted ceilings and marble staircases exude Victorian confidence and grandeur. Head straight to the second-floor Pre-Raphaelite Galleries, home to the world's largest collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings: Burne-Jones (a Birmingham native)'s "The King and the Beggar-maid" and "The Sleep of Merlin," Rossetti's "Proserpine," Millais' study for "Ophelia" — dreamlike colours and exquisite details take your breath away. Then proceed to the third-floor Staffordshire Hoard Gallery, where over 3,500 Anglo-Saxon gold and garnet weapon fittings discovered in a field in 2009 gleam like a journey back to the 7th-century Kingdom of Mercia. In the afternoon, explore "The Birmingham Story" exhibition, tracing the city's soul from Industrial Revolution gears to civil rights movements. Finish with lunch at the museum café and browse the design-focused gift shop.
A bright café on the museum's ground floor, with arched windows overlooking Chamberlain Square. Serves scones, cucumber sandwiches, Earl Grey tea and daily hot dishes, £8-15 per person — the perfect rest stop during your visit.
A 10-minute walk from BMAG, this Victorian pub sits beside the canal. Signature fish and chips with a pint of bitter ale is the most authentic way to experience Birmingham's flavours, £12-18 per person.
Helmed by chef Aktar Islam, Birmingham's first Michelin-starred Indian restaurant. Slow-braised lamb shoulder with smoked aubergine purée and gold-leaf curry sauces are stunning. Eight-course tasting menu approx £95, book weeks in advance.
A family-run Cantonese restaurant in the heart of Birmingham's Chinatown. Roast duck rice glistens invitingly, beef chow fun bursts with wok hei. £15-22 per person, a 15-minute walk from BMAG.