Birmingham Travel Guide
With a host of useful information and recommendations our Birmingham Guide provides you with a glimpse into the unique sights, shopping, and nightlife available in this fantastic city. Being the second largest city in the UK means Birmingham is packed full of amazing attractions, bustling high-streets and famous landmarks. From the Bullring Shopping Centre to St Phillips Cathedral, mouth watering restaurants to cutting-edge clubbing, Birmingham has something to excite and entertain all visitors. Whether you&rsquore after family attractions, a buzzing nightlife, retail therapy or cultural heritage <a href="http://www.superbreak.com/birmingham-hotels-HE2.htm">Birmingham is the ideal destination for your next break</a>.<br /><br />Whatever you do on your visit, our Birmingham Guide is crammed full of ideas to help you plan your ideal short break. The centre of Birmingham is home to more than just great shops! Within the city centre you will find an array of fine art galleries, fantastic museums and famous historic landmarks. For families visiting Birmingham there are also many attractions within easy reach of the city that are ideal for the kids, such as <a title="Drayton Manor Theme Park | Superbreak" href="http://www.superbreak.com/themeparks-attractions/attraction-13.htm">Drayton Manor Theme Park</a>, <a title="Cadbury World | Superbreak" href="http://www.superbreak.com/themeparks-attractions/attraction-12.htm">Cadbury World</a> and the <a title="SEA LIFE Birmingham | Superbreak" href="http://www.superbreak.com/themeparks-attractions/attraction-162.htm">Sea Life Centre</a>. There&rsquos also a varied nightlife to be found from vibrant bars and clubs, endless rated restaurants, champion comedy clubs, theatres and gigs for all. Our Birmingham Guide also lists the top five hotels rated by our customers, plus five great events coming up, to help you decide where you&rsquod like to stay and when you&rsquod like to visit. As Birmingham City Centre is largely pedestrianised, travelling on foot is a free and easy way to explore the city. With car free zones surrounding many of the major shopping destinations and sign posts to point you in the direction of the city&rsquos museums, attractions and transport links, you&rsquoll find it easy to walk to where you want to go. Walking from Birmingham New Street station to Brindley Place takes around 15 &ndash 20 minutes depending on how energetic you feel!Located in the heart of the West Midlands, the vibrant city of Birmingham is easily accessible from every direction. Whether travelling into Birmingham via road, air or rail you&rsquoll find the UK&rsquos second largest city is easy to get to. Conveniently located between the M5 and M6 motorways, with several connecting A roads, travelling to Birmingham by road is simple and direct. There are three city centre railway stations to choose from that have direct links to the rest of the midlands, London and beyond. Accessing Birmingham via air is easy too, as Birmingham International Airport is close by, with easy road, train and bus connections available.Getting around Birmingham is easy and hassle free. With dedicated pedestrian areas, useful signposts, an extensive canal network and plentiful bus services in and out of the city you&rsquoll find it easy to navigate. Hop on a bus along Broad Street to quickly reach the popular shopping areas at the Bullring and beyond. Whether you jump into a taxi at New Street station or stretch your legs and walk along the canals around Gas Street Basin, there are plenty of ways to get around this bustling city.Birmingham is a true shopper&rsquos paradise. With an exciting blend of indoor malls, high streets lined with well known brands, lively markets and unique boutiques there really is something for everyone no matter what you&rsquore looking for. From the historic Jewellery Quarter, perfect for finding that special gift, to the Bullring Shopping Centre filled with fashion stores, Birmingham won&rsquot disappoint. If you&rsquore hoping to splash some cash update your wardrobe with an indulgent treat at The Mailbox, or if you&rsquore on the hunt for a bargain explore the hidden riches of the Indoor Market.Birmingham offers an exciting range of bistros, grills, brasseries and cafes for you to discover during your city break. With a combination of sky-high restaurants with impressive city views and canal side eateries, you&rsquore sure to find an ideal restaurant for dining in Birmingham. From Michelin starred fine dining, to foods from around the globe and laid-back retreats for a quick bite to eat, there&rsquos something to suit everyone&rsquos palette. Whether it&rsquos a special occasion or you simply want to take the weight off your feet after a day&rsquos shopping there are plenty of Birmingham restaurants to choose from.With an exciting blend of theatres, pubs, live music venues and comedy clubs, Birmingham nightlife is truly buzzing! Enjoy a night of hilarious comedy at the Glee Club before visiting the rest of the bars the Arcadian has to offer. Discover the thrill of the stage at one of the city&rsquos numerous theatres and lose yourself in a live gig at the O2 Academy or HMV Institute.  There are a range of cinemas to enjoy, including the vintage Electric Cinema, the oldest in the UK!A night out in Birmingham will definitely be one to remember, with an exciting mix of pubs, bars and nightclubs specialising in everything from live music to cocktails there is something for everyone to enjoy. Sample the many bars along the infamous Broad Street before soaking up the VIP atmosphere at Mechu on Summer Row. Dance the night away to live salsa music at the Jam House and get your groove on to the Jazz beats at The Yardbird. Whatever your taste in music or drinks, Birmingham bars aim to please.As the second largest city in the UK, Birmingham is bursting with world-class attractions, historic buildings and iconic sights, so you won&rsquot be short of things to see and do. From the fun-filled and somewhat indulgent Cadbury World to cultural excellence at the city&rsquos museums, there are a huge range of attractions to visit. With superb transport links across the city centre and further afield, taking a trip to these top attractions is easy and the perfect way to keep the whole family entertained during your Birmingham break.Being serviced by 3 city centre train stations, a wealth of motorways and an international airport, Birmingham is easily accessible by road, rail and air.With New Street, Moor Street and Snow Hill Station&rsquos in the city centre Birmingham has excellent rail links across the country. You&rsquoll easily find regular and direct trains to Birmingham from London Euston, Liverpool Lime Street, Leeds, Manchester Piccadilly and Edinburgh.Visitors from the South can reach the city via the M5, the M40 leading to the M42 and the M1 leading to the M6. Meanwhile, visitors from the North can take the M6 directly to the city or the M1 leading to the M6.Birmingham International Airport is just a short distance from the city centre and is easily accessible via car. The airport is also serviced by the International Rail Station which is connected directly to the main terminal via a free Air-Rail link.Birmingham has multiple bus services running across the city and to the outer areas, with many running as late as midnight. Network West Midlands provides all timetable and service information for Birmingham buses.Once in the central hub of the city you will find getting around is easy with an excellent metro, bus and taxi service.The Black Cabs of Birmingham can be waved down in the street. Alternatively, they can be found at multiple taxi ranks around the city, with the main ones located at New Street Station, Stephenson Street and Digbeth Coach Station.Birmingham also has a Metro which links the city with multiple areas a little further afield. From Snow
Hill in Birmingham you can take the Metro to Wolverhampton, West Bromwich, Wednesbury and Bilston.Treat yourself at one of Birmingham&rsquos three Michelin starred restaurantsSee chocolate come to life at <a title="Cadbury World | Superbreak" href="http://www.superbreak.com/themeparks-attractions/attraction-12.htm">Cadbury World</a>See a show at The Hippodrome or the Royal BalletVisit the spectacular IMAX Cinema at Millennium PointExperience the excitement of Grosvenor CasinoSpend the day in the museums, art galleries and shops of the Jewellery QuarterBirmingham International provides routes into the UK from a wide range of European and International airports. Transfers to Birmingham city centre are frequent making accessing the city easy.<br /><br /><strong>By bus:</strong><br />The 900 Airport Link bus operates between the passenger terminals and the city centre every 20 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes evenings and Saturdays.<br /><br /><strong>By rail:</strong><br />Birmingham International railway station is directly linked to the airport passenger Terminals by SkyRail. The SkyRail is free, operates about every 2 minutes when the rail station is open and the journey takes less than 2 minutes. There are regular trains from Birmingham International to New Street Station in the city centre. Birmingham benefits from an extensive road network with the A456, A38 and A4540 providing routes into the city. There are plenty of city centre car parks to choose from.<br /><br /><strong>Travelling from the North:</strong><br />Join the M6 south until junction 6, then take the A38(M) straight into the city centre.<br /><br /><strong>Travelling from the South:</strong><br />The A38, A441, A435 and A34 roads all feed into the main routes into the centre.<br /><br /><strong>Travelling from the East:</strong><br />Take the A45 east bound heading from Coventry.<br /><br /><strong>Travelling from the West:</strong><br />Take the A456 heading west bound from Kidderminster. Birmingham is served by three railway stations that provide easy access to the city centre from every direction. Birmingham New Street Station, Moor Street Station and Snow Hill Station are connected to some of the UK&rsquos major rail network providers including Arriva Trains Wales, London Midland, First Great Western and Virgin Trains.<br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline">Journey Times</span><br />To London &ndash 1 hour 30 mins<br />To Cardiff &ndash 2 hours<br />To Edinburgh &ndash 4 hours<br />To Manchester &ndash 1 hour 30 mins<br />To Oxford &ndash 1 hour 15 mins There are numerous taxis available in Birmingham, from black cabs to private hire cars, with a selection of taxi ranks outside train stations and near to prominent locations, including shopping centres and nightlife destinations. A pre-booked taxi from Birmingham New Street station to Broad Street on a Saturday evening costs around £6 for a 4 seater vehicle.<br /><br />Taxi phone numbers:<br />TOA Taxis: 0121 427 8888<br />Sky Radio Cars: 0121 554 5555<br />Castle Cars: 0121 427 5000<br />Roundabout Cars: 0121 453 1234 Birmingham buses are frequent and bus stops connect every main destination throughout the city centre. The number 9 bus travels along Broad Street towards Snow Hill Station while the number 11 route operates on both a clockwise and an anti-clockwise loop around the outskirts of the centre. For inner-city travel, a short hop costs just £1 and is a great money-saving way to get around the centre. A day pass costs £3.80 for an adult and £2.60 for a child (5-15). Birmingham buses are operated by National Express West Midlands, Tel: 0121 254 7272Top 5 Shopping Centres in BirminghamSpecialist Stores in BirminghamHigh Street Favourites in BirminghamDining to Impress in BirminghamGrabbing a Quick Bite in BirminghamFood from Around the World in BirminghamThis Mediterranean style tapas restaurant in The Mailbox is perfect for a delicious lunchtime treat as they usually run buy one get one free offers during the daytime.New Street Station is notorious for last-minute platform changes so it's best to wait near the stairs and pay attention to the information screens as you may need to make a quick dash to the opposite side of the station.Enjoy traditional Greek dishes served in a lively atmosphere and experience live music and entertainment including the famous plate smashing.Boasting 360° city views at the top of the striking Cube building, Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar and Grill&rsquos exquisite food and cocktails make for the ultimate dining experience.Walking along the canals from The Mailbox towards the Gas Street Basin is a quick and easy way to get to Brindley Place.Surrounded by bars and restaurants in the popular Arcadian Centre, the Glee Club is one of Birmingham&rsquos best comedy and music venues.A few minutes from New Street is the independently ran Sunflower Lounge. Playing a list of exclusively alternative music tracks from Indie, 60's, Blues and Jazz, this friendly bar has a relaxed vibe.<a title="Cadbury World | SuperBreak" href="http://www.superbreak.com/themeparks-attractions/cadbury-world">See chocolate come to life through fourteen fun-filled zones.</a> Make your own chocolate concoction and top up on your favourite treats!The UK&rsquos most visited shopping centre, with over 160 shops and plenty of restaurants to choose from this is a shopper&rsquos dream destination.Set in the heart of Birmingham&rsquos Jewellery Quarter, Artfull Expression Gallery sells handmade jewellery from a range of contemporary designers.Birmingham&rsquos most iconic store, Selfridges & Co boasts an extensive range of designer fashion and home brands, complete with a food hall for niche and luxury products.The only Forever 21 Store in the UK outside of London, this popular store is spread over 3 floors filled with fashion must-haves.Offering an &lsquoall you can eat&rsquo buffet and an Á la Carte menu, this traditional West Indian favourite is not to be missed.Simpsons offers Michelin starred fine dining close to Birmingham city centre. With exclusive local produce and innovative dishes, this Birmingham favourite is not to be missed.One of Birmingham&rsquos largest theatres, Birmingham Hippodrome hosts an exciting calendar of Musicals, Pantomime, Ballet , Opera, Comedy and more.At the weekends the Bullring and Pallasades car parks can be very busy, so try the nearby Arcadian centre, which is a short walk away from the markets.Exploring the Jewellery Quarter is only one stop away on the Metro from Snow Hill Station which takes a mere 3 minutes!Bodega offers one of the best drinks selections in Birmingham, offering mouth watering cocktails, a handpicked range of South American wines and a comprehensive selection of regional bottled beers.Discover the amazing beauty of life under the sea with stunning displays of marine life. Stroke a starfish or feed a stingray if you&rsquore feeling brave enough!With exclusive luxury stores, waterside restaurants and bars, The Mailbox is one of Birmingham&rsquos most stylish shopping and lifestyle destinations.Located next to the canal in Brindley Place, this charming restaurant offers gourmet burgers using fresh local ingredients to reinvent classic recipes.The ultimate alternative fashion destination, this indoor collection of specialist boutiques sells everything from gothic fashion to piercings and tattoos.Conveniently located between the two halves of the Bullring shopping centre, Urban Pie offers delicious gourmet pies and hearty sides including mashed potato and Yorkshire puds.Award winning San Carlo in Birmingham serves the finest Italian cuisine with a modern twist, using e
xquisite authentic ingredients and recipes.Housed in the luxury setting of The Mailbox, this exquisite hotel brasserie offers classic British dishes using the finest local ingredients.Recently restored to its former glory, the Town Hall in Victoria Square hosts a range of world class musical events.There are dedicated taxi ranks outside all three of Birmingham&rsquos railway stations making find a taxi hassle free!Digbeth coach station is about a 10 minute walk away from the city centre, so if you are travelling with heavy luggage it is advisable to use a taxi, which can be picked up from the rank outside.With a chic and stylish interior, Sobar in the Arcadian Centre boasts a vivacious atmosphere and serves extensive range of world lagers, deluxe spirits and luxury cocktails.Enjoy the thrill of some of the biggest, scariest and wettest theme park rides around at Drayton Manor in nearby Tamworth.A popular indoor mall with a mix of luxury stores and high street brands, complete with a 700 seater food loft.One of the longest running comic stores in the UK, Nostalgia & Comics has an extensive range of comics, graphic novels and memorabilia on sale.House of Fraser&rsquos flagship store, this popular department store is home to a mix of high street and designer fashion and beauty products.Located in Paradise Place, between Broad Street and Victoria Square, Woktastic serves an array of delicious Japanese, fusion, noodle and sushi dishes.A pre-theatre favourite, Chung Ying Garden is one of the Midland&rsquos best loved Chinese restaurants serving over 400 delicious dishes.Perfect for grabbing a glass of bubbly and a delicious treat after a hard day shopping, The Balcony Restaurant at the top of Selfridges & Co is the epitome of sophistication.Located in Brindley Place, the Crescent Theatre is one of Birmingham&rsquos best venues, hosting a range of in-house and touring productions.Adding fun to learning, Thinktank at Millennium Point is a science museum spread over four floors with a hands-on approach, with numerous interactive displays and even a fossilised dinosaur skull!Serving award winning cocktails this lively bar is opposite The Mailbox and adjacent to the Alexander Theatre, making it perfect for a pre-show drink.Selling a fantastic range of exhibition merchandise, art books and crafty gifts this is a must visit shop for those special gifts.With spectacular views of the city, Harvey Nichols in The Mailbox is a leading destination for luxury fashion and beauty brands.Often called the &lsquogateway to the city&rsquo The Pallasades links New Street rail station with the Bullring, and houses a mix of high street favourites and convenient eateries.A superb independent cafe in the heart of Birmingham's centre, reputedly serving up the best coffee in the city.Offering a fresh approach to Punjabi and North Indian cuisine, Pushkar is an exciting and well loved restaurant with an eclectic and vibrant menu.Found in the heart of the cosmopolitan Brindley Place, Bank offers a vibrant brasserie atmosphere and an exciting seasonal menu.Formerly known as the Birmingham Barfly, the HMV Institute is a popular music venue for gigs that also runs weekly club nights.Established in 1885 this stunning museum off Chamberlain Square features important collections of fine art, ceramics, metalwork, jewellery and archaeology and also hosts changing exhibitions.A favourite hangout on the popular Summer Row, Aprés&rsquo distinctive red interior mixes elements of Scandinavian style with quirky ski-lodge details.A five minute walk from the Bullring shopping centre, Cow Digbeth is a vintage treasure trove filled with bargain buys and specialist finds.This Victorian arcade is one of Birmingham&rsquos most historic shopping destinations and today is home to unique boutiques and luxury stores making it a must see for city centre shoppers.At the opposite end of the Bullring to Selfridges, this huge department store is spread over 4 floors.The UK&rsquos oldest working cinema is home to sofas, a bar and waiter service. With two digital screens showing a mixture of the latest quality mainstream, independent, foreign and classic films.Indulge in a spot of culture at contemporary art space the Ikon Gallery in Brindleyplace. The gallery hosts a range of exhibitions in sound, sculpture, photography and painting throughout the year.A great, traditional pub with a range of real ales, The Craven Arms is popular with locals and visitors alike.One of the most long-standing theatres in Birmingham, The REP on Broad Street hosts both new and well known shows all year round.The Yardbird combines a reasonably priced drinks menu with live Jazz, making it a popular destination for a night out with musical zest.Often considered to be the centre of the city, Victoria Square features a large iconic fountain and is positioned outside the impressive Council House and Town Hall buildings.Following a multi million pounds investment, the state of the art O2 Academy hosts live music from new and developing talents to top international artists.Conveniently located between the Jewellery Quarter and Summer Row, The Vaults is a suave and sumptuous retreat with luxury private booths to unwind in.Surrounded by lush green gardens, the grounds of the Birmingham Cathedral are a popular meeting place perfect for enjoying a spot of lunch.Hosting a range of arts events from comedy to live music and drama, mac arts centre is a short distance from the city centre and also features an independent cinema.Mechu has an atmosphere of VIP style and luxury, perfect for an indulgent night out and for spotting the odd celebrity.Arguably the most famous statue in Birmingham the iconic Bullring bull has become a must-see spot, perfect for taking a photo of your visit to the city.Step back in time at this National Trust property near to the Hippodrome Theatre and discover how working class Victorians used to live (Guided tours only, booking essential).Combining a lively pub atmosphere with the thrill of the theatre, The OId Joint Stock is a true Birmingham favourite for a night out with a twist.Offering live music from a range of genres from Jazz to Salsa and an attractive drinks menu, The Jam House is guaranteed to get you onto the dance floor.An Aladdin&rsquos cave of fabrics spread over three floors, the Fancy Silk Store boasts one of the UK&rsquos largest selections of materials. A true Birmingham favourite for over forty years, this family run business is not one to be missed.The Marriott Birmingham is one of the city’s most prestigious hotels, offering a fabulous retreat just a few minute’s walk from all the sights and sounds of the city centre. From the moment you enter the lavishly decorated lobby of the Marriott Birmingham you will find yourself in the lap of luxuryFor fine dining at a fraction of the price, make a reservation at The Atrium within University College Birmingham. The chefs of tomorrow whip up luxury dishes using the finest ingredients. 3 course meals start from £21. Booking necessary.This great, family-friendly national festival is a well-established event in BirminghamBoasting 160 stores. discover the Bullring Shopping Centre, plus the world famous Jewellery Quarter, the fashionable Mailbox Centre and an array of fine stores on the high-street.Pulling in leading international jazz artists for over thirty yearsHome to flavours from around the globe, from authentic Indian restaurants in the Balti Triangle to traditional British pubs, the centre has something to tickle everyone&rsquos taste buds.For over 10 years this festival has put new and established talent on the stageAlong with numerous clubs and bars, there&rsquos also comedy at The Glee Club and Jongleurs, West End musicals at the Hippodrome, and famous rock and pop acts at the LG Arena.Hop from one bar to the next on Broad Street or visit the Arcadian Centre. For a canalside setting head to the stylish bars of Brindleyplace or The Mailbox.A highly distinctive programme of public installations and edgy live performancesOne of the biggest festivals of its
kind in the UK, held at The Library of BirminghamBirmingham Guide – A City Guide to Birmingham – SuperbreakBrowse our Birmingham Guide and make the most out of your break. You'll find tips and inspiration on the best attractions, events, restaurants and hotels in Birmingham.
