'''Sparkbrook''' is an inner-city area in Birmingham about 2 miles south of the city centre. Over the years it has played host to successive waves of immigrants including Irish, South Asian and Somali. Each community has made its own contribution to the area.
Sparkbrook currently has a large Somali population and is often refered to as ''Little Somalia.''
Get in
It is situated on the main A3400 Stratford Road and a number of local buses, such as the Numbers 2, 4 and 6, run through it.
Get around
Most of Sparkbrook's shops and restaurants are around Stratford Road and Ladypool Road. All are within easy walking distance of each other.
See
Sparkbrook's most famous resident was probably Joseph Priestly, one of the founding fathers of modern chemistry. Unfortunately his magnificent 18th century mansion was burnt down by rioters in 1791!
Most of Sparkbrook is now cheap housing so there's not much to see - it's just a case of eating and buying.
Do
If you're on a long trip then treat yourself to a cheap haircut! There are two barbers at the far end of Ladypool Road who charge around 5.00 GBP for a man's haircut.
Go for a Balti (see Eat)
Buy
There are several Somali-run shops on Stratford Road which sell [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khat khat], a legal but psychologically addictive stimulant. Trying it once shouldn't do any lasting harm but make sure you're in a safe environment if you do.
If you walk down Ladypool Road beyond the junction with Highgate Road you'll reach the main shopping area. Most of the shops here are Asian-run and sell all the clothes, food, jewelry (etc) that you'd expect to find on the Indian sub-continent. There are also dozens of balti restaurants and a few discount shops were backpackers can stock-up on cheap provisions.
Eat
Sparkbrook is probably best known for the [http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/balti.bcc Balti Triangle]. This is an area of restaurants between Stratford Road and Ladypool Road which converges on to it. A Balti is probably best described as ''a curry in a wok,'' it is typically accompanied by a large circular bread known as a ''naan.''
The word ''balti'' in Hindi literally means ''bucket'' - this type of meal is virtually unknown in the Indian sub-continent as it was developed by British Asians as a form of fast-food. The original Balti restaurants were very cheap and were used by ordinary working people. They are still one of the cheapest type of restaurant in Birmingham but some are now moving up-market. These are easy to spot as they will have licences to sell alcoholic beverages. Some of the cheaper Balti restaurants will allow you to bring in your own alcoholic drinks but ask first as many are run by observant Muslims, other restauranteurs just don't want people getting drunk on their premises.
Drink
There are very few Irish pubs left in Sparkbrook but the Shakespeare on the corner of Stratford Road/Henley Street (by the railway bridge) has an authentic atmosphere, unlike many of the manufactured Irish pubs in the city centre. It also offers cheap Bed & Breakfast accommodation.
Sleep
There are one or two cheap hostels on Stratford Road. However these are best avoided as they are often frequented by homeless people with drink or drug problems.
Connect
There are several Somali-run internet cafes on Stratford Road which offer cheap internet access at around 1.00 GBP per hour.
Stay safe
Walking around Sparkbrook is as safe as any other part of the city, if you blend in. This isn't difficult as it has been a multi-cultural area since the 1960's while recent immigrants from eastern Europe are giving it a definite Bohemian character.
The busy restaurant trade means that the main roads in Sparkbrook are fairly safe during both the night and day. However tourists everywhere are more vulnerable than locals so if this is obvious get a mini-cab, they're cheap and will also save you from getting lost. The driver should also be able to take you directly to a decent restaurant.
Get out
Continue up Ladypool Road and it becomes Church Road, a residential area in the more affluent Moseley. After about 10 minutes walk you'll see Woodbridge Road on your right-hand side. Going down here will bring you into the centre of Moseley village.
Go back along Stratford Road (A3400) towards the city centre. Just before this you will reach Digbeth, home to Birmingham's Irish quarter and the Sanctuary night-club.
Alternatively continue along Stratford Road to Stratford-upon-Avon. This is about 25 miles away but will take nearly any hour to reach by car because of traffic congestion and speed limits. The X20 Midland Red bus also goes there, it leaves from the corner of Stratford Road and St. John's Road. The X20 only runs every hour or two so check the timetable in advance.