Red Brick Heart & Soul 10.30 - 12.15 | La Vacanza Travel

Red Brick Heart & Soul 10.30 - 12.15

Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
Destination: United Kingdom, England, Birmingham
from
28.06

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  • 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Birmingham
  • E-Voucher
  • Lowest Price
  • Not-Cancellable

Overview

The University of Birmingham campus has an amazing story to tell. From the benevolence of Josiah Mason, Birmingham industrialist who set up a science college in Edmund Street in Birmingham town centre to the driving force of Joseph Chamberlain, the first Chancellor who saw the creation of the first red brick campus university modelled on the American style.
We see the origins of the site as a Roman fort, the development of the site from the early 1900s to the present day. We discover architecture and public art all around but it is what goes on inside the buildings that gives the heart and soul and who better than retired Honorary Professor and author Jonathan Berg to lead you such an exploration. There are a few surprises along the way and local people and visitors alike will equally enjoy this tour.

What Can You Expect?

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: University of Birmingham Medical School, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK

We look at the current medical school and consider it's history and current day activities.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham QE Hospital, Mindelsohn Way, Birmingham B15 2GW, UK

We look at this major healthcare centre and its role. We look at the pieces of public art around the University.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK

We experience red brick and other architecture, but what goes on inside the buildings gives the heart and soul of our University. The tour gives an insight to today’s roles of the University, our hospitals and the exciting new Birmingham Healthcare Innovation Campus in our city.

Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes

Stop At: Metchley Roman Fort, Birmingham B15 2QZ, UK

The walk starts by exploring the ancient origins of the site and the Metchley Roman fort.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK

We will see public art, different styles of architecture and understand how this univeristy goes about it's business.

Duration: 1 hour

Inclusions & Exclusions

Inclusions
  • Live Audio receiver

Exclusions

    Additional Info

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Stroller accessible
    • Service animals allowed
    • Near public transportation
    • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
    • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
    • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
    • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers
    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking

    Departure Point

    Departure Point

    Faraday Statue, University Rd W, Birmingham B15 2FG, UK


    Departure Time

    02:00 PM


    Return Details

    Returns to original departure point

    Duration & Voucher Info

    Voucher info

    You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

    Duration

    1 hour 45 minutes

    Cancellation Policy

    User's Reviews

    Staffshire

    12 Sep, 2023

    This was our fifth Positively Birmingham walking tour. I’ve reviewed the others on previous occasions but, stimulated by the experience of previous tours, we were very much looking forward to this one on the campus and surrounding area of Birmingham University. Unfortunately, for the first time, the weather was rather damp. However, not even pouring rain could diminish Jonathan’s enthusiasm for the art, architecture, history and culture of this important feature of the city that he has worked in throughout his career. As usual, we learnt and discovered much; as usual, we finished up wanting to delve further into the gems of Birmingham life that Jonathan introduced us too. Amongst prolific sprinklings of factual information (like the fact that Birmingham University’s ‘Old Joe’ campanile, which is a landmark for miles around, is the tallest freestanding clock tower in the world) we also discovered the area’s Roman heritage which we had no previous idea about. Jonathan’s passion for public art embraced the sculptures of local artist William Bloye and the evocative painting “The Last of England” by pre-raphaelite contemporary Ford Maddox. Additionally we looked at the politicians and scientists that built and put Birmingham University at the cutting edge of learning and discovery. A real bonus was to conclude the tour with a visit to the Barber Institute which, in itself, begs a revisit. It was another superbly informative two hours walk which I would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who has an interest in this great city. We have immediately booked another tour examining Birmingham’s public art ahead of the publication of Jonathan’s latest book on the subject to be published in November.

    anndR9070RC

    19 May, 2023

    Wonderful amount of information given with great enthusiasm and wit. We really enjoyed a well balanced tour of arts and culture of the area.

    howardb881

    11 May, 2023

    Another great walk with Jonathan around the Birmingham University Campus. As always, full of useful and interesting facts and insights into the history of the area and the development of the campus and the works of art in the area. Totally different (but equally as good) as the Digbeth walk. Thoroughly recommended. If you want to learn about Birmingham and its history, Jonathan is your go-to interpreter and guide

    sknotty

    27 Apr, 2023

    A group of 12 of us did the 2 hour Red Brick tour with Jonathan. 9 of the group were at Birmingham Uni way back in 70s, 3 had no former connection. All of us enjoyed the tour immensely. The pace was perfect and maintained interest throughout. We loved the mix of older and more recent history, architecture and public art covered in the tour. Jonathan is a lively guide with great communication skills. Those of us who spent a chunk of our lives at the University came away realising just how much had passed us by at the time and those who came to the tour with no previous connection came away with an appreciation of what an impressive institution the university is and how attractive the campus is. There's lots on campus you could tack onto this tour (much of it free) to make a great day out - Barber Institute, Winterborne House & Gardens, Lapworth Museum, Elgar Concert hall and the 2. 5 mile canal side walk back into Birmingham City centre is lovely. Excellent refreshments are available at Edgbaston Park Hotel & Conference Centre and the Students Guild also has very reasonably priced food and drink.

    ShropshireSandy

    18 Sep, 2022

    Another excellent guided walk with Jonathan Berg - our 4th! As a Birmingham graduate of some 40 years ago it was great to visit the campus, see the new Queen Elizabeth hospital concourse and the huge but not quite finished University railway station on a glorious sunny day. Some buildings were familiar, others very new, lots of interesting art works, several by William Bloye. It was good to be reminded of how the University came into being and to hear how it continues to develop. I had no idea about the Metchley Roman fort - now well interpreted. It was freshers week so a lovely buzz on campus. Highly recommended - the audio system is a real plus

    User's Picture Gallery

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    Another top notch Positively Birmingham tour.

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    A fun and fascinating tour

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    University days and Old Joe remembered

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    Interesting campus walking tour

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    Great way to spend a Saturday morning

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    Coal mining and William Bloye. What's the connection?

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    Pleasant stroll through Birmingham University Campus

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    Inaugural walking tour of UoB

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