BBC

Visited BBC Birmingham at the Mailbox as part of a group training week recently. I’ve walked past the place hundreds of times before but I’d never stepped inside other than for a quick browse around the shop. As part of this visit, however, we got to go on one of the BBC’s tours and I had a great time.
We started off just to the left of the entrance where there’s a green screen, camera and autocue set up for you to try your hand at presenting! Doing the weather is particularly fun, as you have to think about what your hands are doing while reading from the screen. You can watch your efforts back on a nearby screen.
As we made our way around the tardis-​like BBC building we stopped off at the Midlands Today studio and got to watch the lunchtime news programme going out live, before heading to the BBC WM radio studios for a look around. We finished up in the tours room, somewhere in the depths of the building, where we had a go at recording our own radio drama. I manned the sound effects, and got a little over enthusiastic with my thunder and owls.
Our tour guides were really friendly and chatty, and were armed with loads of great information and anecdotes to share. I’d definitely recommend a BBC tour as a fun way to spend some time with visitors to the city.

I can’t deny it, I am a fan of the BBC. I listen to their radio stations, I am a nut for Doctor Who and love their radio plays. Although the BBC presence in the Midlands has lessened over the years, we do still have the Mailbox visitor centre and hub; so at least there is still something here!
I am yet to experience the full BBC tour (which includes a chance to present the weather, see the studios and watch live broadcasts), but I have popped into the visitors centre and the shop for an event recently.
First thing to mention… T.A.R.D.I.S. There is a blinkin’ TARDIS in the shop! There are also darleks spotted around the place, so if you’re a Whovian — you will be in your element!
The shop sells merchandise from many of their well known television series (including lots of Children’s toys), so if you have someone in your life who is a fan of a particular franchise; it’s worth popping down and seeing what they have. There is a good selection of DVD’s, CD’s and general branded paraphernalia — so well worth stopping by when you’re in the mailbox for a very quick gander.
I’ll have to update this when I finally get around to doing the tour, but if you’ve been — why not pop up your experience?

I have visited BBC Birmingham on a number of occasions and I have had the privilege of going into the BBC WM and BBC Midlands Today studios. I honestly felt at home working here and I would love to work at BBC Birmingham in the future if given an opportunity.
I worked alongside some famous media personalities in the West Midlands such as Ed Doolan, Joanne Malin and Arshia Riaz. I have also spoken to some of the Midlands Today correspondents.
So many fond memories occur when I keep coming back here and as well as the WM radio studios and Midlands Today being here, BBC Asian Network also have studios at BBC Birmingham. And there is also a BBC Shop where you can buy BBC related items such as: DVD’s, books, mugs etc.
That’s not all. You can also tour the Midlands Today and WM studios by going on the BBC Birmingham Tour. Go onto the BBC Tours website to find out more.

Based at the posh Mailbox, the BBC is a shining beacon for Birmingham.
There is so much to do here, it’s best to book a tour and see it as a fun activity for a day out, that kids will love too. I booked a tour with Debbie and was very surprised as to how much there is to do, and how big the BBC is.
The centre has the BBC local news and weather, tours, gift shop, radio dramas, The Archers audio drama, BBC Asian radio and WM radio (70% of the shows are filmed here), you will not run out of creative ideas visiting here.
I was taken up to the 9^th floor and saw the newsroom, waved at our famous local weather girl Shefali, had a go at presenting, where they also have an invisible cloak that makes you disappear, and also saw the radio stations which are situated behind specially designed windows. The tour lasts 1 and a half hours. (Adult tickets are £7.50, concessions £6.75 and students for just £6.15)
The Tardis, famous for their long standing appearances within the Doctor Who series are also currently on display together with the time travelling phone box. The great thing about the tour is that it shows off what’s unique to the centre.
The gift shop located on the ground floor is great for buying books, mugs, greeting cards, masks, toys, BBC merchandise, aprons, and they also have a great offer on DVDs where you can buy 3 for only £20.
They also won the Best Tourism Experience award of 2010, so feel confident that award winning staff are showing your around!
Regular updates are available on Twitter and Facebook, you can also buy gift vouchers on their booking line. Overall a great visit, I was made to feel very welcome, and I would recommend paying a visit to anyone who loves TV and has a passion for the great quality that the BBC produce. (Tip, a great place to keep an eye out for celebrities!)

BBC Birmingham has seen brighter times. Lots of production is being moved to Salford, so there’s not quite as much going on here at the moment as there was a few years back.
That said, the Beeb’s Mailbox outpost is still a pretty impressive place. It is home to The Archers and fans of local news will be thrilled by the odd sighting of Nick Owen and Shefali Oza around these parts. You can only enter the main production areas, studios and offices as part of a guided tour (1.5 hours for £7.50 — it needs tone booked in advance). But there is a decent visitors’ information area and shop that is open to all. There is currently a Tardis in the info area, which makes a pretty freakin’ cool photo opportunity.
I’ve been here a few times on placements and find it a buzzing and exciting place. The open plan work areas are cool and I like the informal studio areas set up by the huge windows overlooking the canal.
Well worth a visit if you are a TV and radio nut!