Where is St Paul's Square?

St Paul's Square is located in the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham, B3 1QS

Autumn at St Paul's Square (November 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Connecting roads include Charlotte Street, Ludgate Hill, Mary Ann Street, Brook Street, Caroline Street and Cox Street.

View of St Paul's Church from Ludgate Hill (April 2011). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

In brief

The square dates back to the late 18th century. Most of the buildings, including the church are of Georgian origin, some from the Victorian period. Before the Second World War, local children without their own gardens played in the churchyard here and nicknamed it "Titty-Bottle Park" because it was here that they were put in charge of their baby brothers and sisters.

St Paul's Square (January 2022). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

 

St Paul's Church in the Jewellery Quarter

St Paul’s Church, in the centre of the Square, is a Grade I listed building and was built at the same time as the square. It was designed by Roger Eykyn of Wolverhampton. St Paul's Square was built between 1777 & 1779 on the Newhall Estate owned by the Colmore family.

St Paul's Church (August 2014). Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

A Square surrounded by Georgian buildings

Many of the earliest brick and stone buildings in St Paul's Square were built in 1780, making this the only remaining complete Georgian square left in Birmingham. There are other buildings in the square dating from the Victorian period and into the 20th Century.

For example No. 1 St Paul's Square on the corner of Ludgate Hill dates to 1780.

St Paul's Square (November 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

Go to this post for more on the Georgian buildings of St Paul's Square.

 

St Paul's Tram Stop

The nearby St Paul's Tram Stop opened in 1999 on Midland Metro line 1, and can be accessed from Constitution Hill, was named after St Paul's Square and the church. From St Paul's Square, walk up Cox Street, turn left onto Livery Street. Then turn right on the bridge at Northwood Street. Then head down Constitution Hill to the tram stop entrance.

St Paul's Tram Stop (December 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

 

Winter in St Paul's Square

Snow in St Paul's Square toward St Paul's Church (December 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Spring in St Paul's Square

Daffodils in St Paul's Square towards St Paul's Church (March 2018). Photography by Damien Walmsley

 

Summer in St Paul's Square

Cherry blossom at St Paul's Square with St Paul's Church. Photography by Kev Maslin

 

Autumn in St Paul's Square

Leaf fall at St Paul's Square (November 2020). Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

Events in St Paul's Square over the years

There has been many events taken place in St Paul's Square, from the annual Birmingham City Centre Floral Trail every summer, to The Big Hoot and The Big Sleuth. The church has also been open during Birmingham Heritage Week for tours up the bell tower, where you can hear them ringing the bells!

 

Birmingham Heritage Week - Belfry

In September 2016, you could walk up the spiral staircase to explore the belfry of St Paul's Church, and hear volunteers pulling the ropes to ring the bells! The bells were installed in 2005 during the 250th anniversary of St Martin's Guild. The bell tower was built from 1822 to 1823.

Birmingham Heritage Week at ST Paul's Church, up the Belfry (September 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown

For more on this visit, go to this post Up the Belfry.

 

Birmingham City Centre Floral Trail

Every summer there was usually a floral trail piece outside of St Paul's Church. Here is just a sample of them from over the years. They were made by Cofton Nursery.

Paralympian Tennis Player was a wicker sculpture based on Jordanne Whiley and Lucy Shuker. Seen in Summer 2012, during the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.

Paralympian Tennis Player wicker sculpture in St Paul's Square (August 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The British Victory Medal was a wicker sculpture seen in St Paul's Square during the summer of 2014. Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the start of World War One.

British Victory Medal wicker sculpture in St Paul's Square (July 2014). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Big Hoot Birmingham 2015

A trail of painted owls that was around Birmingham for 10 weeks from the summer of 2015.

There was one owl in St Paul's Square. This was Bejewelled Owl by artist Claire Scully. The sponsor was Jewellery Quarter BID.

Bejewelled Owl (by artist Claire Scully) in St Paul's Square (July 2015). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Big Sleuth Birmingham 2017

A trail of painted bears around Birmingham and the West Midlands for 10 weeks starting from the summer of 2017. There was two bears that summer in St Paul's Square.

Peabody by artist Tory Allen. The sponsor was Jewellery Quarter BID.

Peabody (by artist Tory Allen) in St Paul's Square (July 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Harley, the Original Bear's Angel, designed by Valerie Osement, painted by Mik Richardson. The sponsor was Harley Investments.

Harley, the Original Bear's Angel (designed by Valerie Osement, painted by Mik Richardson) in St Paul's Square (July 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Go to this post on more on the Floral Trail, Big Hoot and Sleuth in St Paul's Square.

 

Halloween and Christmas time

In late October and early November, you might find spooky pumpkins in St Paul's Square. By late November, going into December, you will find a Christmas tree.

Pumpkins in St Paul's Square (November 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Christmas tree after dark in St Paul's Square (December 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown