The places that make Birmingham: Library of Birmingham, Selfridges and the Bullring, Gas Street Basin and more, with what is on there next.
The library that Mecanoo designed for Centenary Square, open since 3 September 2013. It has ten floors above ground, and the Shakespeare Memorial Room is on the top one. Two garden terraces, the Discovery Terrace on the third floor and the Secret Garden on the seventh, give views over the city. Entry is free.
The Selfridges store by Future Systems, finished in 2003 and wrapped in 15,000 aluminium discs on a blue background. It is built into the Bullring, and the church next to it, St Martin in the Bull Ring, was rebuilt from 1873 by J. A. Chatwin, who kept the earlier tower and spire.
The meeting point of the Birmingham Canal, finished in 1773, and the Worcester and Birmingham Canal, which came later. A narrow strip of land, the Worcester Bar, still divides them, with boats moored on both sides. The basin was redeveloped in the 1990s.
The Victorian council building on Victoria Square, designed by Yeoville Thomason. Joseph Chamberlain, then mayor, laid the first stone in 1874 and it was finished in 1879. Its clock tower is nicknamed Big Brum. It is Grade II* listed and still holds the council chamber.
The city's museum has been in its building beside the Council House since 1885. General admission is free. The galleries include the Pre-Raphaelites, the Staffordshire Hoard and the history of Birmingham itself.
A jewellery factory, Smith & Pepper, whose owners retired in 1981 and shut it up as it stood. You see its workshop on a guided tour of about 45 minutes, and the museum advises booking ahead.
The chocolate attraction in Bournville, on the south side of the city, with zones on how the sweets are made and a play area for children. Booking in advance guarantees entry.
