Cathedral Square - A Birmingham Gem!

Cathedral Square in Birmingham is home to the city’s majestic St Philips Cathedral. Built in 1715, it gained Cathedral Status in 1905. It is the seat of the Bishop of Birmingham.


Cathedral Square is in the Colmore Business District and is home to Birmingham Cathedral.

Cathedral Square

103 Colmore Row with Birmingham Cathedral in Cathedral Square (December 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The square is surrounded by Colmore Row, Temple Row West, Temple Row and St Philip's Place. It can also be accessed from New Cannon Passage, Temple Street, Waterloo Street and Cherry Street.

Cathedral Square

From New Cannon Passage to Cathedral Square near Temple Row (November 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Pigeon Park

Brummie's locally give it the nickname of "Pigeon Park" as there is so many pigeons in the square.

Pigeon Park

'Pigeon Park' at Cathedral Square (May 2020). Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

Winter at Cathedral Square

Cathedral Square

Snow at Cathedral Square (December 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Spring at Cathedral Square

Birmingham Cathedral

Birmingham Cathedral at Cathedral Square (May 2018). Photography by Damien Walmsley

 

Summer at Cathedral Square

Cathedral Square

Cathedral Square (July 2019). Photography by Karl Newton

 

Autumn at Cathedral Square

Cathedral Square

Cathedral Square at night (November 2020). Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

History of Birmingham Cathedral (The Cathedral Church of St Philip)

Built in 1715 as St Philip’s Church in the Baroque style by Thomas Archer, the Cathedral celebrated its 300 year birthday in 2015. It was granted Cathedral Status in 1905 for the then newly formed Diocese of Birmingham. Refaced in stone by J A Chatwin from 1864-9 features Edward Burne-Jones windows. The cathedral was bombed during WW2 in 1940 and restored in 1948 but the Burne-Jones windows were removed early on in the war and therefore saved. In 2023, was the Divine Beauty Project, where the four Burnes-Jones windows were cleaned and restored.

Cathedral Square

Cathedral Square (November 2020). Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

Memorials in Cathedral Square

There is several memorials to be found in Cathedral Square. From the memorial obelisk in memory of Frederick Burnaby, to the Birmingham Pub Bombings Memorial. There is also a Town Hall Accident Memorial, an obelisk to Thomas Unett who died at the Crimean War, plus a statue for the first Bishop of Birmingham, Charles Gore.

 

Town Hall Accident Memorial

What looks like the Lower Part Of A Fluted Column, is close to the Cathedral Square entrance from Temple Row (near Cherry Street). In January 1833, there was an accident at the construction site of the Town Hall, resulting in the deaths of John Heap (aged 38) and William Badger (aged 26). It looks like a stone pillar from the Town Hall. Near the end of April each year is Workers Memorial Day. Flowers are placed here to remember people killed or injured at work.

Town Hall Accident Memorial

Town Hall Accident Memorial at Cathedral Square (January 2011). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Thomas Unett Crimean War Memorial Obelisk

This memorial obelisk in Cathedral Square is in memory of Thomas Unett (1800-55). Who died during during a siege in the Crimean War (1855-56), at Sebastopol in 1855.

Thomas Unett Crimean War Memorial Obelisk

Thomas Unett Crimean War Memorial Obelisk in Cathedral Square (September 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Frederick Burnaby Memorial Obelisk

The obelisk in Cathedral Square, close to Temple Row, is in memory of Frederick G. Burnaby (1842-85). A one time Conservatie Party candidate in 1880. He fought at battles at Khiva 1875 and Abu Klea in 1885 (where he lost his life). It is Grade II listed.

Burnaby Memorial obelisk

Memorial to Frederick G. Burnaby in Cathedral Square (May 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

Go to this post on the Burnaby Memorial.

 

Statue of Charles Gore, 1st Bishop of Birmingham

Charles Gore served as the first Bishop of Birmingham from 1905, when the Diocese of Birmingham was created until 1911, when he left Birmingham, to become the next Bishop of Oxford. The bronze statue outside of Birmingham Cathedral dates to 1914 and was sculpted by Thomas Stirling Lee. It is Grade II listed.

Charles Gore statue Cathedral Square

Bronze statue of Charles Gore, 1st Bishop of Birmingham outside of Birmingham Cathedral (May 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Birmingham Pub Bombings Memorial

There is a memorial stone in Cathedral Square with a plaque listing the names of all 21 victims of the Birmingham Pub Bombings on November 1974. Every year, relatives leaves flowers around it. To this day they are still fighting for justice to find out who did it.

Birmingham Pub Bombings Memorial Cathedral Square

Birmingham Pub Bombings Memorial in Cathedral Square (January 2014). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Events at Cathedral Square over the years

A variety of events have taken place in the grounds of Cathedral Square. From the Big Hoot and Big Sleuth (there was a lot of owls and bears here). To the year they had a Christmas Market here, to the Remembrance Sunday commemorations.

 

Birmingham City Centre Floral Trail

Usually at least one wicker floral feature at Cathedral Square each summer from Cofton Nursery. Sometimes part of the Gold Winning piece that was at the Chelsea Flower Show that year.

On Your Marks - Runner 1 - this was seen in the summer of 2012, while the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games was on, supporting Team GB.

On Your Marks

On Your Marks - Runner 1 in Cathedral Square (August 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

In the summer of 2015, there was a floral trail piece celebrating the 300th Anniversary of Birmingham Cathedral, having opened as St Philip's Church in 1715. It won Gold at both the Chelsea Flower Show and Gardeners World Live for Birmingham City Council.

Birmingham Cathedral 300

Birmingham Cathedral 300 floral feature in Cathedral Square (July 2015). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Big Hoot and The Big Sleuth

The Big Hoot was a trail of painted owls over the summer of 2015, while The Big Sleuth was a trail of painted bears over the summer of 2017. Both were on around Birmingham for about 10 weeks before being sold off at an auction for charity. There was a large number of them at Cathedral Square.

Clash by the artist Damien Jeffery. The sponsor was KPMG.

Big Hoot Cathedral Square

Clash (by artist Damien Jeffery) in Cathedral Square (July 2015). Photography by Elliott Brown

 


Sweet William by the artist Caroline Jariwala (Mango Mosaics). The sponsor was LDC.

Big Sleuth Cathedral Square

Sweet William (by artist Caroline Jariwala) in Cathedral Square (July 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Something Good

Nomad was live paintings by artist Mohammed Ali as he journeyed through the history of Birmingham. This was part of  Birmingham Cathedral's 300th anniversary celebrations (1715 - 2015). This event took place during October 2015. There was also somewhere for visitors to make Soal Boats.

Something Good Nomad

Something Good at Cathedral Square (October 2015). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Birmingham Christmas Market

This Christmas Market was held for one year only during November and December 2018. They put protective sheets over the graves, before installing the various market stalls. 

Birmingham Christmas Market

Birmingham Christmas Market at Cathedral Square (December 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Christmas in Cathedral Square

A now annual Christmas Market, Christmas in Cathedral Square has been held here during November to December in 2021, 2022 and 2023 (so far). Built in association with Danter Attractions (the company behind Ice Skate Birmingham). They supply the helter-skelter.

Christmas in Cathedral SquareChristmas in Cathedral Square (November 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Remembrance Sunday

When Centenary Square was being renovated, for a couple of years, the Remembrance Sunday commemorations took place in Cathedral Square and on Colmore Row (in 2018 and 2019). This included a parade around the square (down Temple Row) and then up and down Colmore Row. There was also the temporary Cenotaph on Colmore Row. Lest We Forget.

Remembrance Sunday

Remembrance Sunday in Cathedral Square (November 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown

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Squares and public spaces
17 Oct 2022 - Elliott Brown 		Gallery

Cathedral Square from above: Views from 103 Colmore Row

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Key to the City gave you the chance to see Cathedral Square from above, from the 18th floor balcony at 103 Colmore Row, between June and August 2022. From October 2022, you can go up to the 24th floor, at Orelle Restaurant for an even higher view! Best to go during the day, and not at night. Photography by Elliott Brown.

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Cathedral Square from above: Views from 103 Colmore Row





Key to the City gave you the chance to see Cathedral Square from above, from the 18th floor balcony at 103 Colmore Row, between June and August 2022. From October 2022, you can go up to the 24th floor, at Orelle Restaurant for an even higher view! Best to go during the day, and not at night. Photography by Elliott Brown.


Key to the City - June to August 2022

View from the 18th floor balcony at 103 Colmore Row

11th June 2022

The first opportunity to see Birmingham Cathedral (The Cathedral Church of St Philip) and Cathedral Square, along with the Colmore BID from this vantage point.

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16th July 2022

An attempt to zoom down to Cofton Nursery's floral piece for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, which won Gold at the Chelsea Flower Show.

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The House of Fraser and 43 Temple Row. Sadly, Lloyds Bank closed down in this building in September 2022. The nearby NatWest branch also closed down at the opposite corner. Horatio Nelson once stayed in a hotel on this site back in 1802, it is marked by a Birmingham Civic Society blue plaque on the former NatWest building (1 St Philip's Place).

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6th August 2022

The last weekend of Key to the City, so one last opportunity to see Cathedral Square from the 18th floor balcony of 103 Colmore Row. The grass was a bit dry at the time, due to the summer heatwave.

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Orelle Restaurant

Views from the 24th floor of 103 Colmore Row

8th October 2022

Much higher vantage point here, but as was inside of Orelle Restaurant, there was glass windows in the way, so sometimes a bit of glare from the lights inside and out. This is a month after the death of the late Queen Elizabeth II. And around a month befor the return of the Christmas Market here.

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Photography by Elliott Brown

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90 passion points
Environment & green action
04 Apr 2022 - Elliott Brown 		Inspiration

Blossom Watch from the National Trust on Edgbaston Street and at Cathedral Square

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The National Trust has installed benches with blossom trees on Edgbaston Street (near the Bullring Rag and Indoor Market's) and in Cathedral Square. Installed in late March 2022, they are expected to be there for at least 6 weeks. But at the beginning of April 2022, the blossom seems to have finished flowering already. Was a mural but couldn't find it in Cathedral Square.

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Blossom Watch from the National Trust on Edgbaston Street and at Cathedral Square





The National Trust has installed benches with blossom trees on Edgbaston Street (near the Bullring Rag and Indoor Market's) and in Cathedral Square. Installed in late March 2022, they are expected to be there for at least 6 weeks. But at the beginning of April 2022, the blossom seems to have finished flowering already. Was a mural but couldn't find it in Cathedral Square.


Edgbaston Street - Bullring Rag and Indoor Market's

A series of pink benches with flower plants and new blossom trees on  Edgbaston Street. Where some of the outdoor market traders sometimes set up outside of the Rag Market. 

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The blossom trees have been here for a few weeks, and there wasn't much blossom left on them.

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This view below from the bridge on Smallbrook Queensway, looking down Edgbaston Street towards the Rag Market.

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Cathedral Square

In Cathedral Square, there is two paths of benches with the pink benches and flower planters with blossom trees.

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The first path starts from one of the Temple Row entrances (opposite Temple Street) and leads towards Birmingham Cathedral.

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The second path of pink benches and blossom trees goes from Birmingham Cathedral towards Colmore Row and Snow Hill Station Square. Daffodil cross and Grand Hotel Birmingham on the left. Even here, the blossom seems to have finished.

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Catch me while you can #BlossomWatch

Have a look out for buses in Birmingham with the National Trust advert 'Catch me while you can #BlossomWatch'.

The no 24 National Express West Midlands bus, 4903 Lina, seen at Holloway Head, about to head around Holloway Circus and onto Smallbrook Queensway.

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If you want to see more blossom, I recommend you head to the suburbs, and check out the roads around the Outer Ring Road, A4040. A mixture of mature and young trees.

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

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60 passion points
Civic pride
09 Jun 2020 - Daniel Sturley 		Gallery

Birmingham, Cathedral Square (Pigeon Park) - 17th May 2020

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A small photographic study of the lush looking grounds of Cathedral Square, known locally as 'Pigeon Park', on a cloudy day in May.

Photos by Daniel Sturley

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Birmingham, Cathedral Square (Pigeon Park) - 17th May 2020





A small photographic study of the lush looking grounds of Cathedral Square, known locally as 'Pigeon Park', on a cloudy day in May.

Photos by Daniel Sturley


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A tense moment as the pigeons explain that they are not sharing.

Photos by Daniel Sturley

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70 passion points
Art; Culture & creativity
18 Dec 2019 - Elliott Brown 		Inspiration

Morris Dancers and other events in the grounds of St Philip's Cathedral over the last few years

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Over the years you may have seen Morris Dancers performing outside of St Philip's Cathedral (in what is now called Cathedral Square). I prefer Grounds of St Philip's Cathedral. After all it was an old churchyard with burials going back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Morris Dancers for St George's Day. One event for 300 years of Birmingham Cathedral. Also a Christmas Market.

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Morris Dancers and other events in the grounds of St Philip's Cathedral over the last few years





Over the years you may have seen Morris Dancers performing outside of St Philip's Cathedral (in what is now called Cathedral Square). I prefer Grounds of St Philip's Cathedral. After all it was an old churchyard with burials going back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Morris Dancers for St George's Day. One event for 300 years of Birmingham Cathedral. Also a Christmas Market.


Morris Dancers

These Morris Dancers were performing to the back of Birmingham Cathedral in April 2015 for St George's Day. This was on the 25th April 2015.

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Colourful costumes. This bunch had white outfits on, while the ladies had blue and green dresses on. And they had England flags.

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The man in the beard was playing an accordion.

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Dancing both ways with their wooden sticks.

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And back the other way tapping the sticks.

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Also some folk playing drums to the right.

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Temple Row was a bit different back then. Where Gino d'Acampo is now was Allied Irish Bank. Where The Ivy is now was Austin Reed and Louis Vuitton.

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This was during October 2017 when the City was experiencing Storm Brian, so it was wet. Not sure what the occasion was, it was on the 21st October 2017, so maybe around Trafalgar Day?

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Didn't really catch this bunch dancing, so they were between performances I would assume.

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Something Good Nomad

This was during the 300th Anniversary year of Birmingham Cathedral (1715 - 2015).  Something Good Nomad was seen during October 2015. Live painting by Mohammed Ali as he journeys through Birmingham, inspired by communities of many faiths and backgrounds, and their reflections of light and dark in their neighbourhoods.

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There was canopies here with bunting. People could make their own Soul Boat's here. They would have formed part of a flotilla of Golden Boats by Artist Jake Lever, supended in the Cathedral during the winter period between December 2015 to March 2016.

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These canvases looks like pink towels suspended on scaffold poles.

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But at the back you can see the art they were trying to show.

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Aerosol Ali himself, Mohammed Ali stands in front of his art in Cathedral Square.

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You could see the art from different paths.

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This was the area where visitors could stop and design their own Soul Boat. Hope they had fun (4 years ago).

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Birmingham Christmas Markets

The Birmingham Christmas Markets was on for one Christmas period in Cathedral Square from November to December 2018. They had to first cover over the lawns to protect the graves below. This was when the huts were being installed on the 12th November 2018, so not open at this point.

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The gate from Temple Row was fenced off as they were installing this Christmas Market in Cathedral Square.

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Banner seen on Temple Row for Birmingham's Christmas Markets with an arrow to the way in.

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As you can see visitors would have to walk past the stone tombs when visiting the huts.

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The archway near St Philip's Place and the eventual exit to Colmore Row.

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They started installing the market as soon as the Remembrance Sunday commemorations ended the day before on the 11th November 2018. So most of the huts were in place on the 12th November 2018.

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Several Santa's and sleighs with reindeers. I think this was supposed to be a mini rail ride in a loop.

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Tracks laid with artificial Christmas trees in the middle.

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The Christmas Tree Bar. They first did it here in Cathedral Square before doing the same thing a year later in Victoria Square at the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market.

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Reindeer on top of the huts.

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It is now December 2018. Had another look once it was open on the 5th December 2018. A hat stall close to the sparkly reindeer. Due to the rain they had to cover over some parts.

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Not very busy on the 7th December 2018. This gravestone surrounded by barriers. You could get a Giant Yorkshire Pudding Wraps or Hog Roast. This was in the morning.

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All Aboard the Santa Train. A throne for Santa to sit on. Also a red post box to post kids Christmas wish lists to the Big Red Man.

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This trailer you could get Bailey's Cadbury Hot Chocolate.

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Perhaps people weren't too bothered by this Christmas Market. And due to bad weather / rain. After it was gone, the grass was found to be quite muddy. But it eventually grew back over the next year. The market has not returned here for a second year.

In years gone by, the Christmas Craft Market used to be in Chamberlain Square and in Centenary Square, but that's not happened for years now due to the Paradise Birmingham works and the redevelopment of Centenary Square. Maybe they could return somewhere suitable in 2020?

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.

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