As we approach, the contrast is immediately striking. The ancient stone of Saint Martin’s juxtaposed against the futuristic curves and shimmering discs of the Selfridges building. The curvaceous form of the now iconic Selfridges building has 15,000 shimmering aluminum discs and is said to be inspired by Paco Rabanne's chainmail dresses. It's a bold statement, a symbol of Birmingham's modern ambitions, standing right next to a church with roots stretching back to the Middle Ages. This is also a great spot for Instagram photos so do stop and take some photos if you wish to. Coming back to the church, this site has been a place of worship for over nine centuries! The first church here dates back to the 12th century, during the Norman era. Of course, that original building is long gone, but the current church, mostly dating from the 19th century, still retains a strong sense of history. The name “Bull Ring” itself speaks to the area’s vibrant past. This was once a bustling marketplace, where bulls were baited – a popular, albeit rather brutal, form of entertainment in medieval times. Saint Martin’s would have been a central part of this lively scene, a place for both spiritual solace and commercial activity. Now, let’s talk about the church’s namesake, Saint Martin. Legend has it that at the young age of ten, Martin, against his parents' wishes, visited a Christian church. He felt a strong calling to become a monk, but his father, a high-ranking Roman army officer, had other plans. At 15, Martin was compelled to join the army himself. Stationed in Amiens, France, a famous story tells of Martin encountering a beggar shivering in a snowstorm outside the city gates. In an act of profound compassion, Martin impulsively cut his own cloak in half, sharing it with the beggar. That night, Martin is said to have had a dream that solidified his faith, leading him to be baptized as a Christian and eventually leave the army to become a monk. Saint Martin’s Day, celebrated in November, is still observed in many European countries. And here’s something quite unique to Saint Martin’s: it boasts a ring of sixteen bells, which is very rare, and was the first church to do so! We now head to the last stop of our tour, Bullring & Grand Central