About Birmingham
Birmingham is the second-largest UK city with a population of 1.1 million. The city played a key role in the nation’s modern development from the Industrial Revolution onward. Originally a merchant city and then the heart of the Industrial Revolution, this “City of a Thousand Trades” sits on a complex network of canals. Much of the city was rebuilt after the Blitz, though many post-war buildings have been replaced in an effort to modernize the city. Today, Birmingham is a shopping and tourist destination that attracts travelers from across the UK and all over, with a friendly pedestrianized city centre and wealth of attractions. Hotels in Birmingham can be quite pricey compared to other destinations, but don’t despair; how much you pay depends on hotel type and location, and there are still cheap hotels in Birmingham available to those with smaller budgets. With a variety of fine options, book hotels in Birmingham now and visit Birmingham.
Birmingham is an old city, so it appropriately has a wealth of great historical Birmingham attractions. One of the most beautiful historic landmarks is Aston Hall, completed in 1635. Aston Hall is a beautiful and stately country house and is open to the public during the summer. Those who love architecture will also enjoy the beautiful Birmingham Town Hall, rendered in a baroque Roman style adorned with beautiful pillars. The building is designed after the Temple of Castor and Pollux, and today members of the public can visit for various performances.
There are many other popular Birmingham attractions, including Cadbury World, the Birmingham Hippodrome, Genting Arena, the Birmingham Library and Cannon Hill Park. With such a variety of things to do in Birmingham, don’t hesitate to visit Birmingham on your next holiday.
Where to Stay in Birmingham
Birmingham hotels can be costly if you’re not careful with where you look. Expect many midrange hotels in Birmingham city centre to cost around a whopping €180 per night. Luxury Birmingham hotels can cost more. If hotels in Birmingham city centre seem beyond your budget, simply look for hotels in other areas or consider other options such as hostels or bed and breakfasts. These more affordable Birmingham hotels provide great opportunities to meet locals or other travelers.
One of the cheapest options for cheap hotels in Birmingham is the Hotel Ibis. It’s not far from city centre, but is at the fraction of the prices you’d find there. With a contemporary flavor, this modern 3-star hotel offers attractive rooms, a bar and complimentary breakfast. The Paragon Hotel is another beautiful option for affordable Birmingham hotels. The Victorian-era building has stylish rooms and is just a little bit out of the way. The Hallmark Hotel is an excellent choice of Birmingham hotels towards the outskirts of the city. While it won’t save you travel time, it will save you on Birmingham accommodation when you visit Birmingham.
For midrange hotels in Birmingham City Centre, one can’t go wrong with Radisson Blu. This glassy high-rise offers chic and stylish rooms with fine dining. Staying Cool Serviced Apartments is a great Birmingham accommodation for families who appreciate space with their lodging. The apartments provide amazing views of the surrounding city and are close to major centre city attractions. For luxury Birmingham hotels, consider the Lotus City Apartments. This 5 star Birmingham accommodation offers beautiful, spacious apartment-style rooms.
Finally, consider more affordable Birmingham accommodation if hotels in Birmingham seem quite expensive. Some great Birmingham hostels include Hatters Backpack Hostel (offering free food and activities) and Birmingham Central Backpackers. Prince Hotel is an excellent bed and breakfast style option for hotels in Birmingham.
Things to Do in Birmingham
One of the obvious things to do in Birmingham is to explore its historic landmarks and museums. Thankfully, the city has a variety of great museums and educational experiences. The National Motorcycle Museum features 1,2000 motorcycles and race cars, highlighting the city’s key role in motorcycle manufacturing in the country. The Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, opened in 1992, explores the Jewellery Quarter’s 200-year history as a centre for fine jewellery and accessories. Visitors can view a preserved jewellery workshop. When you’ve had enough of the museums, explore the Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park or National Sea Life Centre to learn about local wildlife. As for historic sights, the Birmingham “back to backs” are a collection of old houses and the oldest surviving back-to-back homes in the city. These houses feature terraced storefronts and beautiful backyard courtyards.
Birmingham Dining
Between viewing Birmingham attractions, enjoy some local cuisine when you visit Birmingham. Adam’s is a local favorite in city centre, offering delicious food worthy of a Michelin star. Adam’s claim to fame is taking familiar favorites and adding interesting scientific twists—for example, packing an entire roast chicken dinner into a single bite. Carter’s is an excellent location for relaxing with family in a neighborhood-style eatery, making use of fresh British ingredients to provide an authentic taste of the city. Want something more international? Chung Ying is the city’s most popular Chinese restaurant, offering classic Cantonese dishes beloved by locals. Each of the restaurant’s three vibrant locations are worth a stop.
Shopping in Birmingham
Between what’s on Birmingham, many will enjoy shopping at the many stores and shopping centres in the city. Between Birmingham attractions, experience all the shopping the city has to offer at Bullring Birmingham. This shopping centre is among the biggest in the UK, offering 160 shops to peruse, including the famous Selfridges department store. The Jewellery Quarter, often regarded as a historic district, offers numerous jewellery businesses still in operation today for those looking to snag a beautiful accessory when they visit Birmingham. The Mailbox is an indoor shopping centre with the hottest high-fashion brands and designer labels. Finally, Grand Central offers 60 great shops, including a John Lewis department store, and is integrated into the train station, which makes it easily accessible.
Birmingham Nightlife
There are plenty nighttime Birmingham attractions, and the city has quite an active nightlife. For nighttime things to do in Birmingham, consider catching a show at Symphony Hall. This beautiful theatre presents a variety of amazing performances, events and other what’s on Birmingham. There are plenty of districts to enjoy a drink, most notably Broad Street. This avenue is home to pubs like Walkabout and 6 on Broad Street, and those who enjoy a game or two should stop at nearby Grosvenor Casino. If you’re interested in dancing and partying, explore Southside Birmingham for awesome clubs. Popular Birmingham nightclubs include Nightingales and Island Bar.