BY order of the Peaky Blinders: You’ve got to visit Birmingham.
That’s a request you ignore at your peril, as the West Midlands city is buzzing like never before.
It is the hunting ground of the Shelby brothers in the hit BBC1 show that returns to our TV screens tomorrow for the long-awaited final series.
And although the UK’s second city may look a little rough around the edges in the period crime drama, it has come into its own in recent years.
Birmingham is now brimming with quality restaurants, including world-famous curry houses, and it will even host the 2022 Commonwealth Games this summer.
Starting on July 28, the city will stage 11 days of swimming and diving, eight days of cricket and gymnastics and seven days of athletics, including the marathon.
Sport apart, it is a vibrant city steeped in history and fascinating architecture.
I’d set up base at the easyHotel, a superb budget spot that is so well positioned to explore the attractions, with shopping, restaurants and museums its doorstep.
It is a few minutes’ walk from New Street railway station, which has great links to London, other parts of the Midlands and the North, as well as one of the UK’s largest shopping malls, the Bullring.
That’s not the only place to head for a bit of retail therapy, either.
There’s the upmarket Mailbox boasting a Harvey Nichols and an Everyman cinema, where modern theatre seats have been replaced by comfy sofas and tables for wine, cocktails and snacks.
There’s also the Jewellery Quarter, home to more than 100 retailers, diamond dealers, plus a jewellery museum, with a preserved 1980s workshop.
It’s the place to come if you’re looking to pop the question, as you can spend a day handcrafting your own wedding bands.
There are also a host of independent stores, trendy bars and art galleries.
But if food takes priority when you are in a new city, then there won’t be disappointment here.
For brunch, make sure you check out Medicine, which is a bakery, cafe and art gallery all rolled into one that serves cheesy grilled sourdough sandwiches and sticky cinnamon buns.
An absolute must for the bucket list is the award-winning Indian restaurant Asha’s.
Birmingham is renowned for its top-notch curry houses but this one is by far the best.
And don’t just take my word for it.
Hollywood A-lister Tom Cruise was there last summer during a break in filming his latest Mission: Impossible movie.
STAYING THERE: The easyHotel in Birmingham city centre has room-only doubles from £29.99 per night. Call 0121 634 3043 or see easyHotel.co.uk.
He enjoyed his chicken tikka masala so much that he ordered a second one.
A whole host of other famous faces have walked through its doors too, including Rolling Stones rocker Ronnie Wood and Peaky Blinders’ creator Steven Knight.
For families, there is the excellent National Sea Life Centre or, just south of the city centre, Cadbury World is a star attraction for little ones, where free chocolates are always on the menu.
Adults and groups can take full advantage of Birmingham’s party scene, with a vast choice of nightlife and clubs ranging from Popworld, Reflex and Rosies to Pryzm, Bambu and Nakira Lounge.
Of course, for any fan of Cillian Murphy and the Peaky Blinders gang, a trip to Birmingham isn’t complete without a whistlestop tour of some of the original gang’s favourite hangouts.
Much of the filming for the show was done in Liverpool.
But everything is set in Birmingham and based on real-life locations including the canals around Gas Street Basin.
You can visit Watery Lane, the street that was home to many of the original 1920s Peaky Blinders.
And when you get thirsty, head to Sadler’s Brewhouse & Bar, 11 miles west of the city centre in Stourbridge, that serves Blinders-themed ales and spirits.
While you’re in that area, take the 15-minute drive to Dudley, home to the Black Country Museum that was used as the set for Charlie Strong’s yard.
So, by order of the Peaky Blinders, there is no excuse to miss out on what this great city has to offer. Just make sure you pack your flat cap.
