If the community of the Jewellery Quarter was a human body, St Paul's Church would be it's beating…read moreheart. It's one of the most picturesque places in the Quarter and really worth a visit if you've never popped in before. The church is overseen by the lovely and eccentric Vicar Mary (who's love of Craft and Film is something to behold). It really is a lovely place to have a wander around, even if you're not in the least bit religious. Honestly, I can vouch that I have been in several times and have never even been singed (it was a relief not to burst into flames). As one of the more hospitable green spaces in the Centre of Birmingham, over summer it's a haven for picknickers, lunch-timers and readers. Over the winter, it's a magnet for sledgers and intrepid snowman makers. As well as Churchy-things, the building has been used for a multitude of cool events. Did you know Elbow hosted a super secret gig in the catacombs a couple of years ago? I have been to Jameson's events, Film screenings and live music based events here. It's well worth keeping an eye on the noticeboards as you pop by, you never know what the Vicar has up her sleeves!

I'm not a church-goer, nor am I religious - but I absolutely love the architecture of churches and…read morereligious buildings, and I love the ambience and calm that descends whenever I am in one. St Paul's has taken a surprising and progressive approach to business by expanding their reach to include operating as a music venue - presumably to carefully handpicked acts only. I've been fortunate enough to see Laura Marling and Lisa Hannigan play gigs here, and both of them suited the venue perfectly. The vaulted ceilings carry their voices clearly across pews and pews of fans, and the acoustics meant the instruments all sounded crystal clear. I'm sure more performers will start seeing churches as an alternative venue to perform in (particularly if they're acoustic and/or folk) though I really can't see any loud heavy metal being performed here!

Having worked around St Paul's Square for the past 4 years, this Georgian square is one of the most…read moreprettiest parts of Birmingham's City Centre. Located in the historic Jewellery Quarter, the square itself is the only Georgian square left in Birmingham. With St Paul's Church located in the centre, the grounds make for a lovely green spot to take a picnic or catch some rays in the Summer time. It also looks gorgeous in the winter when topped with snow. It's also far less busy than other green spaces such as Birmingham Cathedral which can attract unwanted types. Their is the 24 Carrots market held here twice a year as well as live music from Birmingham's Jazz festival and I've even attended a film event at the church for Jameson's Cult Film club and seen live painting classes. Surrounding the church and it's ground the rest of the square is a mix of residential and commercial premises as well as a flourish of bars and restaurants. It's definitely a sought after area and one people pay a premium to live in and you can see why. This is a piece of Birmingham heritage that I'm proud to shout about.

Birmingham has loads of green public spaces (200 parks maintained by the Council) and areas close…read moreto the Centre, but this space is one of the better spaces in the Jewellery Quarter. It's technically a graveyard, but doesn't feel like one! In the summer it's filled with people reading, playing games and picnicking and over Winter it's full of sledgers and urban snowman makers ready for cold weather fun! With the background of the Church, it's a great place to take your lunch or just sit and while away some time enjoying the view. The area around the square has Coffee shops, bars, art galleries and restaurants. It's really easy to get to from the City Centre (a 5 minute walk) and is reasonably well signposted if you fancy an explore. It feels like the gateway to the Quarter, as from the square you can get straight to Caroline Street which is a haven for hairdressers, signmakers, spa's and deli's. A couple of great places which are just a stones throw away from the square are the RBSA Gallery and St Paul's Gallery (which showcases album cover artwork and all manner of interesting pieces). 3 times a year a community market is held on the space, so a good chance to buy locally produced food, crafts and goods while taking in the Church and meeting the residents of the area. St Paul's Square is well maintained and green all year round. If you feel like you need a little retreat from the bustling centre of town, this is a great place to chill and contemplate.

Situated on the main road heading towards the Jewellery Quarter, the Birmingham Christian centre…read moreoffers a joyful place for those wishing to not only worship, but also be part of a loving community in the city centre. The building itself is pretty basic. It's got a large spacious auditorium with comfy chairs. For me, it really lacked the traditional feel of a church with stained glass windows but I guess when worshipping it shouldn't matter where you go. On a Sunday the choir really goes for it singing a varied selection of songs. More gospel type than classically Christian. I can't sing but if I could I would definitely get up and join in.

I'm new Christian and I find this church fun for age it a fanatic place to worship and study and…read morevery easy to find it's located across the road from UCB (Birmingham College of food) and the Ladywood job centre to do various activities and club in the week for the young and old and there mean church service on Sunday started from 9am till 2:15pm

Quite the most amazing church building I have ever come across…read more The outside of the church looks fairly traditional, and you make your way towards the door expecting the usual sort of thing inside -- pews, a stained glass window or two, perhaps a bit of heating if you're fortunate. Instead what greets you simply takes your breath away. The church has been refurbished to an astonishing standard: the floor has been completely replaced (and there is now under-floor heating); the pews have gone to be replaced by chairs; a tower has been transformed to provide some interesting smaller rooms spread over several levels; and the craft on display is incredibly beautiful. The stained glass in general and the water feature in the baptistry area in particular are worthy of special mention, but there's clearly been a lot of thought gone into every detail of the refurbishment. Ladywood ARC (Arts, Religion and Community) now use the building a lot alongside the parish congregation. I don't know too much about this group (or the congregation themselves) but the space and facilities they have at their disposal are an absolutely amazing example of what can be done with a church building nowadays.

I have been attending this Church for many years. I first came across it when I was on the way to…read morethe Drum for a Jazz Session. I heard the music, followed it and have been with them ever since. It is a vibrant, musical, apostolic church. Anna Zengeya, the Senior Pastors wife, is also an internationally known singer. The church moved from Carrs Lane Church Centre to St Lukes. I tend to go to the Musical Sunday every month. To date I've taken friends and family, members of the Choir With No Name, homeless people, dancer from GAP and anybody I meet on the way there. The congregation is mostly Zimbabwean. There is a warm friendly atmosphere in the church. Visitors are made welcome. The church is always beautifully decorated. Invitations to events, birthdays, homemaking, wedding is extended to all who attend the service. We've attended many of these over the years and everyone who attend comment on the hospitality. Generally it's said that churches are losing congregations but that's not true of African and Caribbean Churches. Over the years people have left to open another branch of the church and meet up at Conventions, meeting and special occasions like the Pastors' daughters' wedding last week. Do visit. You have an inspirational, spiritual, encouraging time. There're also a facebook pages for Anna Zengeya and Stanley Zengeya.

You're probably thinking what on earth people can review about graveyards. Well, quite a lot…read morethings, really. Starting with I like visiting old graveyards. It's a quite common type of tour and UK. has plenty of historical ones to be explored. Secondly, with exception of some church graveyards, Key Hill is considered the oldest one in Birmingham. I'm not going to say it's my favourite place in the Jewellery Quarter but this cemetery, opened in 1836, has some peculiarities that deserves to be known. There are two cemeteries in this place, by the way. Key Hill and Waterstone Lane. I like going there and have a proper look at the catacombs of Warstone Lane. The Gothic style of this cemetery and some famous names buried there, such as John Baskerville, make this place a truly hidden landmark of Birmingham. Researching a bit more about the history of Key Hill I haven't found so much information about the war stone monument placed on it but I have published the photo here anyway. Although there are groups and associations responsible for the conservation of both cemeteries, it's quite common see vandalism and some catacombs destroyed in the location. Something that is really a shame. Key Hill has so much history to discover. Next time you visit Jewellery Quarter, try to find out more about it by yourself.

I know it sounds a bit odd that I used to spend my lunchtimes wandering around graveyards in the…read moreJewellery Quarter, but I used to spend my lunchtimes wandering around graveyards in the Jewellery Quarter. When I worked there. Rather than making a special effort to go and hang out in a graveyard, because that would be truly weird. So, here's the thing: cemeteries are often full of history and green space - two things that I love. I think that this particular cemetery is the oldest in Birmingham - or the oldest designated cemetery space. The famous 'war stone' of Warstone Lane is also located here. I don't know much about it - but there it is. Despite being fairly large and right on the road, it's somehow easy to pass by this cemetery - but its an intriguing place to get a break from the concrete and warehouses of the Jewellery Quarter. There are lots of little paths to explore, plenty of birdsong and even some old catacombs - although I'm not sure how much exploring you can do of these. So if you find yourself in the Jewellery Quarter and feel like a change from the jewellers, offices and shops, I would definitely recommend popping in here for a bit of a wander and explore.

Despite my living around the corner from this and undoubtedly walking past it a few times, I never…read morereally noticed the impressive building perched on the corner of Frederick Street and Legge Road in the Jewellery Quarter. It was only on the Jewellery Quarter tour with Midlands Discover that we stopped to learn about it and even in the rain, it was impressive. The front of the building is thankfully Grade 2 listed and despite it looking like a big square is actually full of long, workshop spaces, as originally designed. Then it was for pen manufacturer, now however, there is a bit modern addition so there are plenty of office spaces and this has got to be a great place to work. This is also a great place if you are new in business and don't want to commit to long term leases on huge workshops; perfect for the creative jewellery quarter.

The Argent Centre in the Jewellery Quarter is an amazing building. I used to love walking past this…read moreevery day on my way to work. It was built as a factory/ workshop set-up during Birmingham's Victorian industrial boom - and still functions as a collection of workshops today: built around an open courtyard. So, despite looking solid and enormous it's quite a hollow building - a series of narrow workshop corridors with open space in the middle. The brickwork is reminiscent of Italian renaissance churches, but without being too fussy - not really suitable for, essentially, an industrial workplace. Personally, I think it's a beautiful building, with enough design to be aethetically and historically appealing, but not too elaborate or imposing. It's also great that it's been Grade II listed and still functions as workshops and office space for small firms. It also houses the Pen Room Museum.