Last week, we shared five intriguing stories about everyday sights Brummies often overlook. Having chronicled Birmingham since 1870, we have a treasure trove of captivating tales that reveal the city’s rich and sometimes surprising history.
Here are five more remarkable stories behind familiar places you stroll past without realizing their significance.
Take a walk through Digbeth’s graffiti-filled streets, and you’ll uncover a myriad of hidden stories—from custard factories to schools dedicated to underprivileged children. But just beyond the vibrant art scene lies the very foundation of Birmingham itself. Crossing the River Rea bridge towards Floodgate Street brings you back to the banks of a small stream where the Beormingas tribe first settled, laying the groundwork for the city we know today.
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Moving from history to speed, did you know that the stretch of road between Haden Circus roundabout and Five Ways island is Birmingham’s speeding hotspot? This year alone, there have been 6,939 recorded offences. What’s more surprising is that between 1986 and 1990, this very area transformed into a race track for the Birmingham Superprix. Formula 3000, British Touring Cars, and Thundersports all zoomed through here, with the Haden Circus roundabout earning the nickname “Halfords Corner” for its challenging hairpin bend.
For those seeking a taste of the city’s heritage tucked away in plain sight, the Great Western Arcade holds a gem: John Hollingsworth and Son, a tobacconist shop established in the 1800s. Founder Thomas Hollingsworth was once appointed tobacconist to Prince Albert, consort to Queen Victoria. While now owned by Havana House, the shop still brims with fine cigars from Cuba and beyond, maintaining the charm and sophistication of its storied past.
In the heart of the city, above closed shops on New Street, lies the old ABC cinema—a silent monument to Birmingham’s cinematic history. After showing classics like ET in 1983, the cinema shuttered and has since remained frozen in time, housing only a restaurant beneath it. It’s a quiet reminder of bygone entertainment eras, waiting to be rediscovered.
Lastly, the iconic Rotunda building holds a lesser-known treasure inside. Though currently hidden behind scaffolding, a vast 140-square-metre concrete mural called the Rotunda Relief by John Poole adorns the drum of the building. This abstract artwork contributed to the Rotunda’s Grade II listing by Historic England. Once the scaffolding is removed, there’s hope the relief will once again be visible, shining a light on this outstanding piece of public art.
Birmingham is filled with stories just beneath the surface—waiting for us to look closer and rediscover its fascinating past.