SIGHT (Ludgate Hill / Industrial Heritage): Having crossed the A38, you are now on Ludgate Hill at the foot of the Jewellery Quarter. The area known as the Jewellery Quarter is a little more than 1 km² and home to a population of around 3,000 people. Its beginnings can be traced back to the mid 18th century, when the area was released by the Colmore family to help satisfy the demands of an increasing population. It is estimated that by 1800, more than 400 people were employed by around 12 jewellery manufacturing companies in the area. By 1861 the number of employees in an ever increasing number of workshops had grown to 7,500, and the area had been firmly established as the Jewellery Quarter.
Looking up Ludgate Hill, you will now have a series of derelict red brick buildings on your left. These are actually Grade II listed, and were built in the early 20th century. For almost 30 years – until the 1930s – they housed the Wadsworth Electrical Manufacturing Company, and they are now listed as they are displaying “the distinctive architectural characteristics associated with late C19 works in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter“. They also help “define the eastern boundary of what is now recognised as an historic manufacturing district of international significance“.
SIGHT (Birmingham and Fazely Canal): Continue up Ludgate Hill, and at one point you will cross over the Birmingham and Fazely Canal. This is a part of Birmingham’s massive network of canals, which are actually several miles longer than the combined waterways of Venice (although Venice is, admittedly, a much smaller city). This particular branch was completed in 1789, and today runs from the NIA/Barclaycard Arena to Fazely Junction near Tamworth, where it terminates and meets the Coventry Canal.
OPTIONAL PINT (Actress and Bishop): A few steps after crossing the canal you’ll be right outside the Actress and Bishop, which has a small outdoor seating area on a terrace by the street. The place mostly caters for a younger audience and doesn’t really come to life until the evening. Their selection of beers is quite limited and mostly consists of standard fare international brands, but they do have some moderately comfy if fairly worn down lounge chairs.
SIGHT (St. Paul’s Square and Church): At the top of Ludgate Hill is St. Paul’s Square and its eponymous church. The square is today the last remaining Georgian Square in Birmingham, and following some gentle redevelopment in the 1970s and 1980s it is now considered a rather trendy and not inexpensive location. Surrounding the square are a number of Grade II listed buildings.
The centerpiece of the square is the Grade I listed St. Paul’s Church, consecrated in 1779. It is known for its excellent acoustics, and often hosts musical events.
SIGHTS (Hard to Find Whiskey): Walk up Caroline St. on the opposite side of St. Paul’s Square from Ludgate Hill, and continue until you reach the end of it. You are now immediately opposite The Brown Lion, a small but popular pub, which you can visit if you like. Just next to it is Hard to Find Whisky, which is mostly an internet business, but which has this one retail store. According to their advertising, the store has the largest collection of whiskies in-store in the country, boasting 3,000 bottles out on display including some extremely rare ones.
Now turn left (from Caroline St) and walk along Warstone Lane, passing a lot of jewellery shops on your way.