St Martin in the Bull Ring

BIRMINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM

Birmingham’s original parish church stands at the heart of the city, a Grade II* listed building that has anchored the community for centuries amid the markets and modern shopping centre.

At a glance

St Martin in the Bull Ring is a Church of England parish church located in Birmingham’s city centre. The building occupies a distinctive position between the Bull Ring Shopping Centre and the markets, serving as a physical and spiritual landmark in one of England’s major industrial cities.

History

This church holds the distinction of being Birmingham’s original parish church. It has remained in continuous use as a place of worship, witnessing the city’s transformation from a modest market town into a major urban and industrial centre.

What you see

The church is designated as a Grade II* listed building, reflecting its architectural and historical importance. Its position between the contemporary Bull Ring Shopping Centre and Birmingham’s historic markets creates a striking juxtaposition of old and new in the city landscape.

Cultural significance

As Birmingham’s original parish church, St Martin holds particular importance to the city’s religious and social history. The building endures as a symbol of continuity, anchoring the community through centuries of urban change and development.

Key facts

Country: United Kingdom
City: Birmingham, West Midlands
Coordinates: 52.477, -1.8932
Grade II* listed building
Denomination: Church of England

Practical information & getting there

St Martin in the Bull Ring is centrally located in Birmingham’s city centre, easily accessible by public transport and on foot. The church is situated between the Bull Ring Shopping Centre and the markets. Contact the church or visit for current opening hours and service times.

Sources & resources

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Travel tips from CHO

The national collections cost nothing

Fifteen national museums and galleries have charged nothing for their permanent collections since 2001 — among them the National Gallery and the Natural History Museum. Temporary exhibitions are ticketed separately, and the busiest houses now ask you to reserve a free timed slot rather than queue, so book before you set off.

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More visits in Birmingham

If this is one stop among several in Birmingham, the timed tickets for the city's museums and monuments can be compared and booked in one place, before you leave home.

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In September, the doors that are usually shut open

For one long weekend every September, some fifty European countries run the European Heritage Days together: palaces, workshops, archives and private houses that are closed the rest of the year let visitors in, almost always for nothing. The United Kingdom sets its own dates, and they are published a few weeks ahead.

Dates, country by country →

Arrive already connected

Maps, opening hours and tickets all need data, and roaming outside your own network still costs more than the ticket. A travel eSIM for the United Kingdom installs on your phone before you leave home and works the moment you land — no queue at the airport, no physical card to swap.

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