Walking tour around Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter

Our circular walking tour explores Birmingham's historic Jewellery Quarter. At the peak of production in the early 1900s more than 30, 000 people were employed not only in the jewellery trade but also in a diverse range of small metal items known as 'Birmingham Toys'. Despite foreign competition & a fall in demand, 40% of all jewellery made in the UK is still produced here. The area is also home to the world's largest Assay Office, which hallmarks around 12 million items a year, recently moved from its previous location in Newhall Street to state-of-the-art purpose built premises-still with the anchor as its logo. Since the 1980's the historical importance of this area has led to regeneration in retail businesses & urban living & numerous conservation schemes - making it an Anchor Point of the European Route of Industrial Heritage. St Paul's Church - completed in just 2 years (1777 to 1797) lies at the heart of this fascinating district and at the centre of Birmingham's only remaining Georgian square