You may not believe it but I occasionally do non foodie things around Birmingham, as well as stuffing my face.
On the same day as Day 1 of Birmingham Independent Food Fair 2015 as part of Birmingham Heritage Week, Hidden Spaces opened up Curzon Street railway station to the public. Wifey, I, and a few friends went for a poke around.
![Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station](https://brummiegourmand.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/dscf1300.jpg?w=660)
The building, though vacant, hasn’t lost its imposing stature
![Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station](https://brummiegourmand.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/dscf1302.jpg?w=660)
An astounding triple height ceiling with a recently refurbished octagonal skylight
![Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station](https://brummiegourmand.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/dscf1304.jpg?w=660)
The mummified cat was absent, perhaps it had found another life.
![Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station](https://brummiegourmand.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/dscf1307.jpg?w=660)
Backstory on the station.
![Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station](https://brummiegourmand.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/dscf1308.jpg?w=660)
![Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station](https://brummiegourmand.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/dscf1310.jpg?w=660)
Down into the basement
![Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station](https://brummiegourmand.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/dscf1311.jpg?w=660)
![Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station](https://brummiegourmand.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/dscf1314.jpg?w=550)
![Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station](https://brummiegourmand.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/dscf1318.jpg?w=660)
Looks like the party finished a long time ago.
![Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station](https://brummiegourmand.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/dscf1322.jpg?w=660)
Hidden spaces signage in the old phone exchange room.
![Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station](https://brummiegourmand.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/dscf1327.jpg?w=660)
Looks like the keys to half of Birmingham!
![Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station](https://brummiegourmand.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/dscf1328.jpg?w=660)
Breakfast menu for the long gone Rosa’s cafe; if it was open now, a bacon and sausage sandwich for 60p would put Mr Egg to shame.
![Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station](https://brummiegourmand.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/dscf1331.jpg?w=534)
The old phone exchange box featuring logo from the 80’s!
![Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station](https://brummiegourmand.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/dscf1332.jpg?w=660)
Other parts of the basement.
![Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station](https://brummiegourmand.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/dscf1339.jpg?w=660)
Old yellow bin! Remember them?
![Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station](https://brummiegourmand.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/dscf1340.jpg?w=660)
View over Eastside
![Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station](https://brummiegourmand.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/dscf1346.jpg?w=660)
Conservation award from 1984, shame the conservation did not carry on.
![Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station](https://brummiegourmand.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/dscf1347.jpg?w=660)
Better view of the octagonal skylight
![Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station](https://brummiegourmand.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/dscf1348.jpg?w=660)
Boarded (and broken) windows
![Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station](https://brummiegourmand.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/dscf1349.jpg?w=660)
Better view of Eastside with Bullring and Beetham Tower in the distance
![Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station](https://brummiegourmand.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/dscf1351.jpg?w=660)
Rotunda
![Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station](https://brummiegourmand.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/dscf1352.jpg?w=660)
![Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station](https://brummiegourmand.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/dscf1355.jpg?w=660)
First floor balcony
![Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station](https://brummiegourmand.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/dscf1356.jpg?w=660)
View up to the second floor, with some 60’s spot lights
![Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station](https://brummiegourmand.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/dscf1357.jpg?w=660)
Back outside
![Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station](https://brummiegourmand.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/dscf1362.jpg?w=660)
View from across the road
![Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station](https://brummiegourmand.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/dscf1365.jpg?w=528)
Hopefully, HS2 will help to restore this architectural gem back to its former glory. Our tour was done, now back to the Birmingham Independent Food Fair.
When: 12/09/2015
Where: Curzon Street Station, Birmingham