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The West Midlands has plenty of iconic landmarks, from the BT Tower to the Bullring. Some of us see these recognisable spots almost every day but many of them have fascinating stories you may not be aware of.
With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some of the hidden stories behind some of the most famous landmarks in and around Birmingham. They include underground tunnels in the city centre, a macabre discovery under the Bullring and a mysterious red door that hides an overgrown secret.
Let us know in the comments below if you think there’s a secret part of the West Midlands that we missed off the list.
READ MORE:The secret parts in and around Birmingham locals might not even know exist
The nuclear bunker under the BT Tower
Many Brummies may not be aware of this but a top secret nuclear bunker built after World War ll runs beneath the city’s streets. There are a number of well-hidden entrances to Birmingham’s underground network, including at the iconic BT Tower.
The bunker, made up of vast concrete tunnels, was designed to keep Britain’s telecommunications going if there was ever a bomb strike during the Cold War. Codenamed ‘Anchor’, after Birmingham’s jewellery hallmark, corridors stretch for miles from the BT Tower to Southside and beyond.
Sitting at 115ft below the surface, BT workers still intermittently use the tunnels for modern-day communication links.
The skeletons under the Bullring
During the excavations to build the modern Bullring shopping centre, hundreds of skeletons were exhumed by archaeologists. Most were found within the St. Martin’s graveyard, buried in the proper Christian way at the time.
However, two were found outside any graveyard though, placed in earthen graves on their backs, with their arms folded. As it appeared they had been buried under a floor or in a back garden, there have been suggestions that the pair were murdered.
They also could have been killed in the Battle of Birmingham, during the English Civil War, and given a quick burial.
Kray Twins artwork at Spaghetti Junction
The artist behind the artwork is unknown but this interesting piece of Kray Twins graffiti can be found on the A38M. The mural is in a tricky position to get to, on the side of one of the many pillars under Spaghetti Junction.
The tunnels beneath the Mailbox
The Mailbox is now a shop, bar and restaurant haven – but many Brummies will be unaware of a hidden secret beneath it which is connected to its past. A 400m tunnel, built in 1970, runs below the site and was used by Royal Mail workers transporting deliveries between a sorting office.
Electric trucks would lug cages full of letters and parcels from trains, before ferrying them to the office to be sorted. The office, based at the site of a former railway goods yard, alongside our canals, was the largest building in Birmingham at the time.
The mysterious red door at Birmingham Five Ways
Opposite Birmingham’s Five Ways station lies a mysterious red door, covered with graffiti scribbles. You may have walked past it without thinking much of it but the door actually leads to hidden Jewish burial ground.
The cemetery goes for the most part unnoticed, tucked away from Islington Row Middleway’s busy traffic. Those who want to visit will struggle to however, as high fencing also prevents their entry.
Known as Betholom Row, the burial ground dates back to the 1700s. Passers-by tall enough to peer over the gate should be able to make out old grave stones beyond foliage.
The hidden doors on the M5
(Image: Googlemaps)
Thousands of motorists drive along the M5 in the West Midlands every day without paying it as much as a second thought. However, the major motorway contains a hidden secret – most notably, three hidden doors between Junction 4 for Worcestershire, Junction 3 for Halesowen and Quinton and Junction 2 for Oldbury.
Owned by the National Highways, which manages and improves all the country’s motorways and major A roads, they are for special use by their engineers.
The hidden kitchen and secret servants tunnel at Hanbury Hall
(Image: Hanbury Hall)
Earlier this year, a hidden centuries-old kitchen and ‘secret’ tunnel was unearthed at a historic Worcestershire stately home. Archaeologists working at Hanbury Hall made the exciting discovery during building work on a new cafe.
Whilst digging, they found the remains of a kitchen dating back to the 18th Century. They also discovered evidence of a servant’s passageway from the kitchen to the main house.
The folly and toposcope, Lickey Hills
In 1907, Edward, George Jr and Henry Cadbury gave Beacon Hill to the city, thus ensuring that the view from the Lickey Hills would remain as it is today. Using the engraved toposcope as a guide, you can spot everything from the BT Tower to the QE Hospital and so much more.
