Birmingham's Little Secret . . .

Birmingham likes to push two things for its tourism campaign, the new library and the Bullring shopping complex but I believe there's more to Birmingham than clothes and books! I'm a lover of culture, food and discovering neighbourhoods that get a beating by the news so to bust that myth I spent an alternative Friday afternoon in Handsworth, Birmingham. So without further ado I'm going to tell you all about Birmingham's little secret! I won't say this more than once so listen up! 

Let's trade Birmingham city center for a corner of Birmingham that's always in the media but not for the right reasons. I chose to get to know Soho House, once the home of a influential Brummie who did wonders for that West Midlands city. Dating back to the 18th Century this regal looking residence served as the home and headquarters of Matthew Boulton, a man who pushed Birmingham to become a bustling and industrially rich city. Admission doesn't have to cost the earth at the now museum for student price is only £3.00 so I could see something new and still buy my bread. I didn't know much about the history or really anything about Soho House so it was great that the volunteers had a wealth of knowledge to pass on to me whilst I marveled at the preserved rooms at Soho House Museum, Birmingham. Getting from Birmingham city center to Matthew Boulton's yard is really easy for I took the Midland Metro to Soho Benson Road. The Bullring doesn't define Birmingham!

With the weather permitting a rare day out I wanted to switch things up, living simply is my motto but I loved the powdery lots and would like one in my house now! Soho House is for sure an 'Oasis' that stands out due to its current location but I'm not going to discriminate because I'm sure during the Boulton's time living at Soho House that corner of Birmingham was a whole other story! Since the Boulton's called Soho House their home this Birmingham residence has been used for a whole range of purposes but it was great to see the preserved items that are displayed in the rooms. Take me back to the Lunar room where the great minds of Birmingham used to meet and be guided by the light of the moon, street lights are most definitely overrated! Birmingham surprised me that day, I guess its a good thing to take a chance on something that offers a different experience its all about seeking something new! Soho House Museum you still work and serve! You're welcome! 

Does that street look familiar? I made my way from the 18th Century 'Oasis' of Soho House to Birmingham's most famous street. James Turner Street has become a tourist hotspot since it was featured in the controversial documentary series 'Benefits St'. I'm not going to sugar coat anything I was slightly wary about seeking the residence of James Turner Street but it had to be done. I wanted to challenge the stereotypes of Birmingham that are fed to us via the news bulletins because we're all human aren't we? I didn't see White Dee otherwise known as Deidre Kelly, she's Benefits Street's front woman and the alternative Brummie celebrity of the moment. Who wants tourist appropriate areas when you can travel a few stops down the Metro line to Winson Green, Birmingham to see something out of the ordinary? Travel and creating new adventures doesn't have to limit use to the city center because when there's a whole city to concur I say let's do the lot! Don't judge James Turner Street!

From benefits to manor houses I know that serving something different can actually make a great day out. I can now say that I've been to Benefits Street like many of my friends the phenomena has took hold of us all! Birmingham's got it going on and I mean this, I just wish I had made tracks to the alternative side of the city a lot sooner! Times change and opinions get narrower but we must see the situation from all angles to then be able to make a clear evaluation. Deep yes but that's just so! Dee must have been busy because she was nowhere to be seen, that was just too bad! Maybe Visit Birmingham should take a closer look at Handsworth and feature James Turner Street in next years publicity campaign to entice visitors to this alternative Birmingham residential street. Give me a chance and I'd put some of the lesser known Birmingham attractions out in the world for all to see and be inspired to visit. OK, so its not rocket scientist to figure out that a visit to the home of White Dee is a must do! 

Desperately seeking a new part of Birmingham can be hard work so I built up quite an appetite by the time I arrived at Dawat Kurdish Cuisine. Dawat is located on the Holyhead Road close to Handsworth Booth Street Metro stop. I love Middle Eastern food so I looked for somewhere to eat within the Handsworth area to compliment my day of discovery in Birmingham. Captured to the left was my food that I loved! Choosing to order the Kurdish Kofta kebab I opted to drink a jug of Ayran. What's Ayran? It's a cold and refreshing sour yoghurt drink that is very popular in Middle Eastern countries like Kurdistan and also Turkey. I probably didn't need a whole jug to myself but for £2.50 I guess it was worth it! I learnt that Dawat Kurdish Cuisine had only been open for five months so that explained why the decor and feel of the restaurant looked so fresh and shiny. I look back and wish I had ordered a mint tea because would be further complimented my meal. I'm hungry just thinking about my food! 

Now I'm not saying this for it to sound positive but my kebab was amazing, never mind the portion size because I struggled to finish the vast majority that was on the plate but I will be back Dawat! I must admit that Handsworth is a very culturally diverse area, lots of different shops make up the vibrant high street. Aside from Kurdish food matter I would have to say that Handsworth has an tonne of Caribbean eateries that all looked extremely appetising. Birmingham has the advantage of being made up of many cultures and a whole range of different nationalities so that's just fine with me! Where's the shade in that? I had to take a second to think that I was only a mere three miles away from Birmingham's city center with more specialist fashion retailers than you would see in The Bullring! Perceptions aside I look at all the press that Handsworth receives and I just want to express that I felt safe during my afternoon in a part of the city that gets a bad name! I used to live in Newark, New Jersey so I know!

Handsworth ... Manor Houses, Benefits Streets and International Cuisine! 
Joseph Harrison