Rotunda Square, Bullring - A Birmingham Gem!

The Rotunda Square is situated at Bullring & Grand Central Birmingham. Between High Street and New Street. You will also find the Bullring Bull in the square. Opened in 2003.


Where is Rotunda Square?

Rotunda Square is at the Bullring & Grand Central Birmingham, B2 4NB. The Rotunda a cylindrical highrise building is also situated here.

 

In brief

Rotunda Square opened in 2003, with the opening of  the new Bullring, along with the unveiling of the Bullring bull. Many events take place here over the years, such as showing off new cars, markets, or Formula 1 simulator rides.

Rotunda SquareRotunda Square (November 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

New Street and High Street

New Street and High Street meet at Rotunda Square. From the bull, New Street is to the left, and High Street is straight ahead. Waterstone's and Nationwide are to the right.

Rotunda Square

Rotunda Square (August 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

24 Hour Route

The 24 Hour Route ramps between Birmingham Moor Street and Birmingham New Street stations also connect to the square. The railings were designed and made by Anuradha Patel. The alternative is to walk through Shaw's Passage below, alongside St Martin's Queensway.

Rotunda Square

Rotunda Square (February 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Bullring Bull

The main feature is the Bullring bull, unveiled in 2003 on the opening of the current Bullring.

Bullring Bull

Bullring Bull (May 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Rotunda Square from above

There is a great view of Rotunda Square from Costa Coffee at Next looking down. That's if you can get the corner table by the window, which is usually rare!

Rotunda SquareRotunda Square from Costa at Next (May 2015). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Rotunda SquareRotunda Square from Costa at Next (July 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

A variety of events at Rotunda Square

Over the years, there has been a variety of events at Rotunda Square. From F1 simulator rides, to former buses advertising something. Even the odd market.

 

McLaren Honda F1

The McLaren Honda F1 simulator ride in May 2015. Things like this are regular return visitors to Rotunda Square.

McLaren Honda F1 simulator at Rotunda Square

McLaren Honda F1 simulator at Rotunda Square (May 2015). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Transfomers Prime

A visit of Optimus Prime from Transformers during August 2015 in Rotunda Square.

Optimus Prime Rotunda Square

Transformers Prime at Rotunda Square (August 2015). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Spring Blooms Tour

The Spring Blooms Tour. Boden Bloom & Wild was in Rotunda Square during March 2017. Former London Routemaster buses painted up like this are regular return visitors to the square.

Routemaster Rotunda Square

Spring Blooms Tour. Boden Bloom & Wild bus at Rotunda Square (March 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

For more events go to this post Events at Rotunda Square.

 

Birmingham City Centre Floral Trail

There has been a variety of floral wicker sculptures in Rotunda Square over the years, mostly during the summer months.

Stiletto Shoe seen in Rotunda Square in the summer of 2013, near the Rotunda and New Street. Sponsored by Shopping in Birmingham.

Floral Trail Rotunda Square

Stiletto Shoe in Rotunda Square (July 2013). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Dippy on Tour

Triceratops in Rotunda Square, as part of Dippy on Tour, seen in the summer of 2018. The corner towards New Street and High Street. Sponsored by Retail BID Birmingham.

Triceratops Rotunda Square

Triceratops Dippy on Tour in Rotunda Square (June 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Big Egg Hunt 2013

This was a nationwide tour of painted eggs. A trail of them was around Birmingham City Centre for about a week in February 2013. Was about 4 painted eggs in Rotunda Square at the time close to the bottom of New Street.

Big Egg Hunt Rotunda Square

The Big Egg Hunt in Rotunda Square (February 2013). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Big Egg Hunt Rotunda Square

The Big Egg Hunt in Rotunda Square (February 2013). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Big Hoot Birmingham 2015

A trail of painted owls around Birmingham and the West Midlands. On for 10 weeks from the summer of 2015. After which they were auctioned off for the Birmingham Children's Hospital Charity.

There was one owl in Rotunda Square called Re-Tail. By the artist Temper. It was sponsored by Retail Birmingham. A couple more owls could be found inside of the West Mall.

Big Hoot Rotunda Square

Re-Tail (by artist Temper) in Rotunda Square (July 2015). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Big Sleuth Birmingham 2017

A trail of painted bears around Birmingham and the West Midlands. On for 10 weeks from the summer of 2017. After which they were auctioned off for the Birmingham Children's Hospital Charity.

There was one bear in Rotunda Square called Window Shopping. The original was at on point moved to a shop in the Great Western Arcade, before a second version was unveiled in the square by September 2017.  Both were by the artist Temper, and the sponsor was Retail BID.

Window Shopping Rotunda Square

Window Shopping version 1 (by artist Temper) in Rotunda Square (July 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Window Shopping Rotunda Square

Window Shopping version 2 (by artist Temper) in Rotunda Square (September 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

Project dates

11 Mar 2020 - On-going

Passions

Photography, Shopping, Food & drink
People & community, Modern Architecture, Squares and public spaces

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Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

0121 410 5520
jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com