Take a walk around Paradise
Jonathan Berg of Positively Birmingham walking tours gave occupiers and their staff an expert tour of the city centre earlier this month.
As part of the ‘Club Paradise: Lunch & Learn’ series of events for those who work across the estate, the one hour tour took in the sights and explored the history behind Chamberlain Square, Centenary Way and Centenary Square, before heading for the city’s famous canal network via Gas Street basin, the Mailbox and then on to Brindleyplace.
Paradise is one of the most historic corners of the city, with a long heritage of commercial and cultural activity. Not only was Paradise formerly home to the Central Library and before that, the Victorian Central Library, but was also epicentre of Birmingham’s educational facilities. In the Victorian era, the area was graced by the Birmingham & Midland Institute, Mason Science College and Queen’s College.
Today, only the façade of Queen’s College Chambers on Paradise Street remains as a reminder of the status of this area in the Victorian era. Mason College and Queen’s College went on to become the founding partners in the University of Birmingham, while the theology department of Queen’s College became the Queen’s Foundation, an independent college of theology still operating in Edgbaston.
Jonathan, a professional guide with decades of experience working with both residents of Birmingham and visitors to the city, has a lifetime of expertise in getting attendees to hear just some of the amazing facts about our city and its people.
As he guides his walks in and out of some of the most famous corners of the city, Jonathan helps bring the story of Birmingham to life with fascinating anecdotes and facts.
Watch out for and be sure to sign up for more of our Lunch & Learn events as they continue during the autumn and are publicised in our regular MyParadise newsletters.