Easter in Brum

 

Dropped into Stratford on the way and walked the riverside which now has it’s own Stratford Eye.

On Saturday we took the short, frequent, metro from the local Chester Street station to New Street. Took a walk along the canal to Gas Street - they really have done a fine job with this.

Wonder who lives here??

Went on to visit the amazing Birmingham Library. Creative architecture both inside and out. A Cathedral to study – wish it had been like this when I was at Aston. Unbelievable to think there were no desk/lap tops then and now the building is bristling with tech. There are rooftop garden walks providing panorama views over the City.

Followed this up with a wander round the Museum and Art Gallery housing, amongst other things, the Staffordshire Hoard, Renaissance Art and a Coming Out exhibition including Grayson Perry's dress. 

Sunday we intended to revisit the Botanical Gardens but forgot the Great British Easter Egg Hunt! There were hundreds of mini Brummies stretching round the bloc and beyond. Carried on walking and eventually came to Winterbourne next to the Uni. What a find. Originally built for the Nettlefolds, a well known Birmingham industrial family, Now open to the public among it’s many uses is botanical research c/o the University of Birmingham. It also houses a rare exhibition of book illustrations.

Originally designed as a small country estate with rustic outbuildings and large gardens, Winterbourne followed the style of the Arts and Crafts movement. After a period of restoration, the garden was Grade II listed by English Heritage in 2008.