Chamberlain Square

With some of Birmingham’s most aesthetically pleasing and culturally noteworthy buildings leading out onto Chamberlain Square for some reason in a characteristic, culturally confused Birmingham fashion it doesn’t really live up to the grandiose reputation that Squares often hold. It’s become more like a humble, unappreciated door step for The Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, The Town Hall and the stark exception to the otherwise aesthetically pleasing buildings (and much to the detriment of our poor square’s appearance) — Paradise Forum.
It is situated amidst one of Birmingham’s most architecturally impressive and historic areas but for some reason a bunch nouveau-​design-​nincompoops decided to construct the eyesore that is Paradise Forum. So as a result the square has become the blurry epicentre of architectural grandeur, lofty art exhibitions, a medley of amazing music performances and a majestic place to consume your ‘Chicken Mcnuggets’ courtesy of Paradise Forum’s very own Mcdonalds.
Cultural identity is an unreconciled issue in Birmingham — I love this square, but I just compare it to the squares I have visited in Spain, France and Italy and think ‘damn, we really did lose our way somewhere’.

This isn’t the greatest of squares in Birmingham, but it is surrounded by great buildings such as the Town Hall, Birmingham Library and Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.
There’s an array of steps down from Paradise Forum that are circularly arranged. Quite often, these steps are used as seating areas for people to relax. Although this is quite a busy part of the city centre, it also has an unexplainable peaceful element to it, and people often spend time sunbathing here in the summer during their work breaks. Many students from the library also sit here to get fresh air away from their study. It’s not too far to walk, and you can’t get too distracted by anything, so the area really does help to clear you’re head. (I’ve sat here many times after a hard day of hitting the books)
The Chamberlain Memorial monument stands in the centre of the square, which is an amazing piece of architecture. Many visitors take photos of this building to remember their trip to Birmingham.