Overview

The historic city of Birmingham has a wide selection of fascinating attractions for visitors to see. There are several museums including the impressive Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, which has over half a million pieces of artwork and historic artefacts. Cadbury World is a popular attraction that shows the interesting history behind the famous chocolate making brand. There are also numerous historic buildings to see such as the spectacular Aston Hall, built in 1618.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Glasshouses

Situated on Westbourne Road in the heart of city, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Glasshouses is a fantastic attraction for the whole family. Designed by John Claudious Loudon, a leading garden architect, the botanical gardens were first opened in 1932. The glasshouses provide varied climate conditions to sustain the numerous plants and fauna from around the world. Horticultural enthusiasts will love the extensive collections of rare and exotic plants. There is a children's playground, gift shop and restaurant in which to enjoy an afternoon lunch in the beautiful surrounds.

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery

Open every day until 17:00, the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is a popular attraction for both locals and tourists alike. Established over 120 years ago, the interesting museum is home to a large array of artefacts and artworks from around the world. There are over half a million pieces in the museum and art gallery ranging from Egyptian mummies to bronze Buddhas. The Waterhall Gallery is fantastic, with an impressive collection of modern art pieces. One of the museum's main draw cards is the collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings and drawings, which is the largest of its kind anywhere in the world.

The Jewellery Quarter Discovery Centre

Situated along the famous Vyse Street in Birmingham is the fascinating Jewellery Quarter Discovery Centre that displays and explains the history of the city's important jewellery making trade, dating back hundreds of years. There are live workshops showing the traditional goldsmith techniques used in the centuries past. The multimedia displays show how the Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham was established. The museum has been carefully restored by former employees to replicate the original work conditions as closely as possible.

Cadbury World

Located in the village of Bournville, which was created by Richard and George Cadbury in the late 1800s, Cadbury World is a popular attraction in Birmingham that attracts thousands of tourists each week. The village has beautiful historic streets and scenic parklands. Inside the chocolate factory there are numerous exhibits explaining how the famous brand was founded as well as how they produce the range of confectionary. There are great interactive exhibits for children and a 3D cinema that will entertain all. The village is open every day and is particularly busy on weekends and during school holidays.

Aston Hall

The impressive Aston Hall was built by Sir Thomas Holte in 1618 and completed in 1635. The building is one of the United Kingdom's finest examples of Jacobean country houses still standing. The beautiful house encompasses numerous rooms, a grand staircase that leads through the centre of the home and impressive gardens. The house remained with the Holte family until 1817 and then was sold and rented to James Watt, son of a famous English engineer. In 1864 the building was acquired by the Birmingham Corporation and opened to the public as a museum. Inside the house are beautiful displays of 17th and 18th century furniture and artworks.

Overview

The city of Birmingham is home to an array of sporting and outdoor activities to enjoy whilst visiting. There are numerous golf courses including Lickey Hills Golf Club and also Gay Hill Golf Club. There are plenty of great fishing spots throughout the city and also surrounding areas. The city is also home to an abundance of nature walks and cycle paths that lead through the picturesque countryside.

Golf

The beautiful green countryside of Birmingham is home to numerous golf courses. One of the more famous courses of the city is Lickey Hills Golf Club, which offers fantastic and challenging long holes. The course is open to the public course although booking well in advance is recommended. Gay Hill Golf Club is another popular course, which has a well-kept and interesting playing course open to the public on weekdays only. There are golfing tours that offer a game at many of Birmingham's best courses. All transport is organised as well as playing partners if needed, equipment hire can also be arranged.

Go Karting

Located in the heart of Birmingham City is one of the United Kingdom's finest go karting clubs, Grand Prix Karting. The impressive club is home to three exciting and challenging tracks that are approved by the Motor Sports Association. Established for over 17 years, Grand Prix Karting is home to some of the country's best drivers, who can be seen racing each weekend. There are several classes of go-karts available catering for all levels of riders from beginners to advanced. Grand Prix Karting is open ever day until late at night, offering an exciting and adrenalin pumping fun activity for all ages.

Tenpin Bowling

The Birmingham Tenpin Bowling Centre is located on Watson street in the city centre and offers a fantastic and fun activity for the whole family. There are 22 bowling lanes as well as pool tables and other amusements. Each weekend from 10:00 there are special children parties, which provide food, music and bowling under UV lights. The bowling centre is opened until midnight everyday except Friday and Saturday when closing time is extended to 01:00. All equipment is available for hire and there are special promotions combining food and bowling packages.

Fishing

Birmingham and the surrounding areas are filled with great fishing spots including lakes, canals and rivers. The Birmingham Worcester Canal is a popular spot with local anglers and you will find a host of fish varieties available in these waters. The River Avon is another favourite with local fishermen and travels through much of Birmingham and the surrounding counties. The River Avon has plenty of chub, bream, pike and roach. The nearby Nordley Pools consist of six small man-made lakes which can be used throughout the year for a small cost. All fishing equipment can be bought or hired at numerous tackle shops located throughout the city.

Walking and Cycling Paths

Within the city of Birmingham there are numerous parklands and nature spots with paved pathways perfect for an afternoon stroll or bicycle ride. The city's water canals provide great areas to enjoy some fresh air whilst cycling or walking. You will see numerous signs clearly stating bicycle and walking routes. Some of the more popular routes include the North Birmingham cycle/walk path, which leads from Sutton Park and travels to Brookvale Park. The five-mile path is mainly off-road and is a comfortable and scenic route.

Dining and shopping

The culturally rich city of Birmingham has a wide selection of restaurants available serving flavours and cuisines from around the world including Italian, French, Mediterranean, Turkish, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese and Malaysian. There are several dining areas of the city that are home to the majority of the restaurants, cafés and eateries.

Birmingham is regarded as one of the best places for an Indian style balti curry outside of India. Balti style curry is served simmering in a metal pot to the table where it is eaten with fresh Indian breads and yoghurt sauces. Since the 1970s a host of Indian restaurants opened in Birmingham and have established certain areas such as Balti Triangle and the Balti Mile as the place to eat Indian food. The Balti Mile runs along both Stratford and Ladypool roads in the heart of the city.

The city is also home to an abundance of traditional English pubs that are perfect for enjoying an afternoon drink and some typically English food. Most pubs have a menu with English favourites such as roast pork, bangers and mash, fish and chips and shepherd's pie.

In recent years the city's dining scene has changed, with a plethora of modern contemporary fine dining restaurants and trendy cafés opening. The area of Brindley Place along the canals has numerous alfresco cafés, pubs and bistros serving a wide selection of modern meals. Broad Street in the city centre has some of the city's finest restaurants with some award-winning chefs cooking innovative and tasty food.

The central city area of Birmingham has a host of shopping options with numerous department stores, a plethora of specialty shops, popular high street brands and some charming street markets. There are also several districts specialising in a certain product such as the Jewellery Quarter, which is home to an array of goldsmiths and gem shops.

One of the best known shopping areas of the city is the Bull Ring complex, where you will find many high street chains as well as big stores such Selfridges department store. Also popular and near to the Bull Ring complex is the Pavillions, which is home to Marks and Spencer department store, Waterstones and a Virgin Music Megastore.

For a good selection of small specialty shops Victoria Square is a good place to head. There are also numerous street stalls set up in the area, which provide some good bargains and souvenirs.

For designer brands and expensive consumer goods there is New street, which mainly has fashion boutiques and also Martineau Place shopping centre with several big name shops including Harvey Nichols, which is an upmarket department store.

Birmingham's dining scene is vast and extensive with an array of fantastic restaurants, cafés and pubs serving flavours and cuisines from around the world. There are award winning modern contemporary establishments, which are perfect for a special dinner or casual alfresco cafés for a relaxed late lunch.

Overview

Birmingham International Airport is the most popular port of entry for visitors, with over eight million passengers arriving each year. The airport is conveniently located just 15 minutes from the city centre. Birmingham is also well connected with the rest of the United Kingdom as well as Europe by road and rail. Within the city there are a host of public transport options available including train, bus, taxis and water taxis.

Airports

Conveniently located just 13kms east of the central city area of Birmingham is Birmingham International Airport, which is one of the busiest airports in the United Kingdom, handling over eight million passengers every year. The airport houses two terminals, one for all European destinations and the main one, which handles flights to other destinations around the world.

The newly built airport is well laid out with a host of modern facilities including money exchange, duty-free shopping, several restaurants, bars, newsstands, business facilities and car hire companies.

Getting to the centre of Birmingham City from the airport could not be easier with several transport options. The most popular is by monorail, which leaves to the city every ten minutes, with the journey only taking 15 minutes. There is an airport bus shuttle service that leaves every 20 minutes travelling to numerous locations throughout the city. The most convenient mode of transport is by taxi and there are numerous metered and private options available from the airport.

Public transportation

Birmingham is well connected by both road and rail with the rest of England and also to Europe. The high-speed train network is fast and efficient with a host of services offered daily. It is possible to travel by train from many destinations in Europe. Services from London leave throughout the day and only take a few hours.

Long distance buses operate throughout the United Kingdom and offer an alternative to train travel. Journey times are typically longer although tickets can be cheaper. Hiring a car and self-driving is a popular option and allows you the freedom to dictate your own time schedule. There are numerous country villages throughout the English countryside, which are great for stopping off to see historic sights.

Getting around Birmingham is easy with a vast and extensive network of trains and buses. The Centro metro system travels through the city's three main railway stations: New Street, Snow Hill and Moor Street. The bus network connects the majority of the city and works in unison with the rail service. Tickets can be purchased before travel and work on both trains and buses.

With the city's numerous waterways, Birmingham has water taxis that travel certain routes. Gas Street Basin is the main water taxi wharf and services run through most of the city's main canals. The service is convenient if travelling to destinations along the waterways.

Birmingham has a plethora of black cabs that can be found throughout the city's streets. Although expensive, the metered taxis offer a safe and convenient mode of transport, particularly at night.