Thousands of football fans are expected to flood Westside’s pubs and bars this weekend for the do-or-die knockout stage of Euro 2024.
There are key matches on both Saturday and Sunday, and those backing England will be keen to find space in venues with the largest screens for the match versus Slovakia at 5pm on Sunday.
But whatever your nationality, the possibility of extra time and penalties can sap the strongest of hearts. Where can you go to relax before the stresses of watching the matches begin?
One alternative is to enjoy a few minutes of peace and tranquility in the City Centre Gardens off Cambridge Street behind Baskerville House, the Library of Birmingham and Birmingham Rep.
Originally opened in 1993, the gardens are just two minutes’ walk from Centenary Square and host a wonderful collection of well cared for flowers, shrubs, bushes and trees from all corners of the world.
You can watch my swift video tour of the gardens here:
On one side of the park there is a World Peace Tree, dedicated on 6 September 2010 by His Holiness Mahamandaleshwar Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda Ji and the then Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Len Gregory.
In the park’s centre is a gazebo feature with a plaque which says: ‘In loving memory and acknowledgement of Donald Octavius Smith (December 1949 – October 2007), Founder of Organisation for Sickle Cell Anaemia Research (OSCAR). Always in our thoughts. Love from family members, friends and members. Peace’.
There are disabled-friendly paths and plenty of benches dotted about, from where you can gaze up at the Library of Birmingham and the fast-rising Octagon tower on Westside’s border, soon be the city’s tallest occupied building,
The garden’s beautiful buds also create a wonderful foreground for views of the nearby tower blocks.
The only negative I came across was the fact that you can’t walk your dog here, not let your little kids kick their football around … and they’re bound to want to do this during Euro 2024.
The nearest pub, the historic Victorian watering hole known as The Prince of Wales, is just over the road and has modest viewing facilities for the footy.
Therefore, if your nerves won’t take some of the bigger places, why not try here first? Otherwise, check out our story here for some of the best venues to watch the footy across Westside.
And remember… these are the key dates going forward! It’s going to be quite a ride as Europe’s biggest teams go head-to-head knowing that the overall winner takes all.
- Round of 16: 29 June to 2 July
- Quarter finals: Fri 5 and Sat 6 July
- Semi-finals: Tue 9 and Wed 10 July
- Final: Sun 14 July
Pictures and video for Westside BID by Graham Young.
ENDS
