Birmingham (England) Sights: Religious buildings

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Birmingham's population is very diverse, and communities from just about any country in the world can be found somewhere. This is turn has led to numerous centres for all the world's major religions.

• Birmingham Buddhist Centre, 11 Park Rd, Moseley (#1, #35 or #50 bus), +44 121 449 5279 (info@birminghambuddhistcentre.org.uk), www.birminghambuddhistcentre.org.uk. A centre run by the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order .

• Birmingham Cathedral (a.k.a. St Philip's Cathedral), Colmore Row, +44 121 262 1840 (enquiries@birminghamcathedral.com), www.birminghamcathedral.com. M-F 7:30AM-6:30PM (5PM from late Jul to early Sep), Sa Su 8:30AM-5PM. Church of England cathedral, built between 1709 and 1715 and the centre of the Diocese of Birmingham. Grade 1 listed building in the UK, designed as a parish church in the Baroque style by Thomas Archer. Contains four spectacular pre-Raphaelite stained glass windows.

• Birmingham Central Mosque, 180 Belgrave Middleway, Highgate (#35 bus), +44 121 440 5355, www.centralmosque.org.uk. Daily noon-30 minutes after Isha (exact time of Isha varies with the seasons). Built in 1969, Birmingham was the second purpose-built mosque in the UK (the first was Woking). The working capacity is 2500, though this is expanded during special events such as Eid. Tour groups should book at least two weeks in advance.

• Birmingham Central Synagogue, 133 Pershore Rd, +44 121 440 4044 (office@centralshul.com), www.centralshul.com. M Th from 7:15AM, Tu W F from 7:30AM, Sa from 9:30AM, Su from 8:30AM. Large modern orthodox synagogue, popular with students.

• Birmingham Peace Pagoda, Osler St, Ladywood, +44 121 455-0650, www.chezpaul.org.uk/buddhism/uk/talaka.htm. The pagoda is designed as symbol of peace, compassion and the noble exemplary qualities of the Buddha.

• Ramgarhia Sikh Temple, Graham St, +44 121 235 5435.

• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Harborne Ward, Lordswood Road +44 121 427-9291. Typical meetinghouse, with services at 10:00AM on Sundays.

• St Chad's Cathedral, St Chad's Queensway, +44 121 236 2251, www.stchadscathedral.org.uk. M-F 8AM-5PM, Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 9AM-1PM. Catholic cathedral built in 1841 and designated a Minor Basilica in 1941. Contains the Shrine of St. Chad.

• St Martin in the Bull Ring, between the Bull Ring shopping complex and the Bull Ring markets. 10AM-5PM. St. Martin is the parish church of Birmingham, or "The Cathedral of the Bull Ring", as some would say. The first church was probably Norman, but was rebuilt in the 13th century. As it stands today, most of the church dates from 1875, though inside you can see the 1325 effigy of the Lord of the Manor Sir William de Bermingham. The church is a Grade II* listed building in the UK.

• Shree Geeta Bhawan, 107-117 Heathfield Rd, Lozells (#46 bus), +44 121 523 7797, www.geetabhawan.co.uk. M-Sa 9AM-1PM and 5PM-8PM (Tu 9PM), Su 9AM-8PM. Hindu temple, opened in 1967.