Hotels in Birmingham

Birmingham is classed as the UK's second-largest city, depending on the statistical source — although Manchester would contest this claim. Either way, the town certainly ranks at the top of the list. Located right in the centre of England, this city has tossed away its former reputation of being a grubby industrial city. Birmingham has now become a thoroughly modern metropolis, attracting over 40 million visitors each year on average. Known by locals as "Brum" and "inhabited by Brummies", the town is home to numerous canals, two significant universities, several national centres, a range of historical interests, many diverse museums and endless great shopping.

As it serves as a centre for international exhibitions and conferences, this destination offers plenty of holiday accommodation options. You can find everything from cheap B&Bs and cosy guesthouses to modern hotels and luxury resorts.

Neighbourhoods of Birmingham

The neighbourhoods here are probably more distinct from one another than most other bigger English cities. Interesting areas for visitors are:

• City Centre: With its magnificent architecture, the huge Victoria Square is the heart of Birmingham. It's very photogenic and hosts several attractions, including the Georgian City Hall, Victorian Law Courts and the Council House. It's also home to a fountain statue known as The River, but the locals refer to it as The Floozy in the Jacuzzi.
• The Jewellery Quarter: Jewellery works proliferated during the Industrial Revolution, and this area remains of global importance today. There’s still over 500 jewellery workshops and stores in this part of town. Notable places include St. Paul’s Square and the Jewellery Museum.
• Bourneville: This area is a "Model Village" created by the Cadbury family — those of the chocolate fame. The area centres around a green with a campus feeling, and it's known for its half-timbered Tudor-style buildings.
• Westside: The city’s major entertainment district sits centred on Broad Street and the Grand Union Canal. The area is full of eateries, bars and nightclubs. At one end is the Century Square, with a number of significant architectural attractions, like the Baskerville House and the Hall of Memory.
• Moseley: This Victorian village is a peaceful haven lying just south of the city's centre. Its main attraction is Moseley Park and Pool— a large fishing lake.

What to see and do in Birmingham

The city's industrial past is very evident, but its modern regeneration has given it a new purpose. Over the years, Birmingham has introduced several new additions to its sightseeing list, such as:

• Bullring and Grand Central: This is Birmingham’s large shopping centre. It anchored by the distinctive Selfridge’s building, which looks like it's been covered in bubble wrap. The centre is also surrounded by streets full of shops and dozens of restaurants. While visiting here, take a short walk to St. Martin’s Church, the oldest in the city.
• National Sea Life Centre: This aquarium is packed with marine life, but the feeding tours are the real attraction. You can feed turtles, penguins, and even sharks.
• Cadbury World: The city’s own version of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory is all about the journey from the cacao tree to the famous purple-wrapped sweet treat. Load up on free samples while you visit!
• Barber Institute of Fine Arts: This gallery is part of the University of Birmingham and has a fine collection of artists from the Renaissance and onwards.
• Cannon Hill Park: Birmingham’s largest green space includes a fun park, rides, a train, mini-golf and swan boats on the lake.

What to eat in Birmingham

Although this town doesn't really have its own distinctive cuisine, some very famous dishes were invented in Birmingham, including Cadbury's Chocolate, Bird's Custard Powder, Typhoo Tea, and HP Sauce. Some local favourites include the following.

• Balti: Named after the two-handled metal bowl that it's served in, this is a curry dish invented by Mohammed Arif at Adil’s restaurant.
• Faggots and Peas: This is comfort food for the locals. Faggots are large meatballs made from pig offal in gravy, usually served with mushy peas.
• Birmingham Soup: Industrialist Matthew Boulton invented this original recipe for a hearty stew. The soup intended to serve as an economical way to feed his workers. There are many new variations of this soup found in many of the city's smartest restaurants.

Typical events and festivals in Birmingham

The city is home to the National Exhibition Centre, which hosts several major events throughout the year, local and international. Some of the more notable events include:

• Birmingham Heritage Festival: A Mardi gras-style event that fills the streets with colour and music in August.
• Comedy Festival: The UK’s most popular comedians get everyone laughing for 19 days every September.
• Nowka Bais: This is a Bengali dragon boat racing festival that's part of the much larger Mela Festival. It happens every year at the Edgbaston Reservoir.
• Christmas market: Modelled on the Frankfurt market, this is now the UK’s largest outdoor Christmas market.

How to move around in Birmingham

Getting around is easy, thanks to the buses, regional trains and trams that can take you just about anywhere. However, tram lines are limited to the city's centre and Westside. The New Street railway stations connect to areas all over the UK, and the international airport is just minutes from the city's outer limits.

The climate in Birmingham

The temperate maritime climate gives Birmingham warm summers and mild winters. The average annual daily temperature ranges around 9.5° C. July is the warmest month in the city, with average highs of 21.4° C and lows of 1° C. February is the coldest month of the year. The best time to visit this city is from early spring to late summer.