Our journey begins! We landed at London Heathrow Airport this morning at 10:30 a.m. after an exhausting seven-hour flight. Even though we were tired, the excitement of finally being in England quickly took over. From the airport, we took a scenic bus ride into Birmingham, watching the countryside slowly shift into the city skyline. Once we arrived, we dropped off our bags and headed straight out to begin exploring.
Our first stop was O’Neils to grab a quick lunch. I ordered stuffed shells and garlic bread, and after a long day of travel it truly hit the spot. The cozy atmosphere made it the perfect place to recharge before diving into our first afternoon of sightseeing. After lunch, we set off for a walking tour of the city, and it did not disappoint.
Birmingham is such a cool place. The best way I can describe it is a blend of historic English architecture surrounded by modern urban development. You can turn one corner and see beautiful old brick buildings and turn the next to find sleek glass structures. One of the highlights of the walk was seeing Birmingham’s famous canal system. The canals were absolutely beautiful, lined with colorful narrowboats where people actually live. It felt peaceful and charming.
We continued on to the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, where we stopped to explore some of the exhibits. Inside, I saw a stunning golden statue of Lucifer that immediately caught my attention; it was dramatic, detailed, and surprisingly beautiful. The museum had so many fascinating pieces, ranging from fine art to local history. One section that really stood out celebrated Ozzy Osbourne, a Birmingham native and frontman of Black Sabbath. Seeing his Grammy awards and records on display made the city’s musical legacy feel very real. We also saw Black Sabbath Bridge, which features a Black Sabbath bench dedicated to the band. It was such a fun and unique tribute to Birmingham’s influence on rock music.
From there, we walked through Victoria Square, named after Queen Victoria. There was a statue of her in the center of the square. She holds a very influential in Britian’s history defining an era of industrial, cultural, and imperial expansion, ultimately transforming Britian into the world’s most powerful empire. In the center of the square sits a fountain officially called “The River,” but locals affectionately call it “The Floozie in the Jacuzzi.” It was a funny and memorable detail that made the city feel welcoming and full of personality.
Along the way, we heard about great dinner spots, historical landmarks, and local shopping areas that we can’t wait to try over the next couple of weeks. Today felt like the perfect introduction to Birmingham, and I’m already excited to learn more about the city’s culture and history. Tomorrow morning, we will visit Birmingham City University for the first time, where we’ll begin our classes. This trip is already off to an amazing start, and I can’t wait to see what the next two weeks bring.