is birmingham the 2nd largest city in uk

Yeah, that's pretty much the general consensus. Most people consider Birmingham the second largest city in the UK after London. I've driven through there plenty of times for work, and you can definitely feel the scale of the place compared to most other towns around. It's a massive hub, especially with all the motorway connections passing through the midlands.

Some folks might try to argue about how you measure it, like whether you're looking at the city council area or the whole built-up urban sprawl, but in casual conversation, it’s always Birmingham that takes that second spot. Honestly, it feels like it's been that way for as long as I can remember. If you're planning a trip or just curious, it's definitely a big city with a lot going on.