Birmingham

Travel Guide

Victoria Square featuring heritage architecture, a city and flowers
Birmingham
Birmingham
Stratford-upon-Avon which includes a bay or harbour and boating
Birmingham

Birmingham is the largest and most populous British city outside of London, located in the West Midlands often referred to as the geographical heart of Britain. Birmingham, the city where the great industrial revolution began in the 1800s, was a thriving city attracting workers from around Britain as the industry grew. Today Birmingham has undergone something of a transformation with industrial manufacturing being replaced with services. Museums, galleries, high end hotels and excellent shopping facilities have all contributed to Birmingham becoming a popular destination for a short weekend break.

Birmingham has a wide range of accommodation types to suit all budgets from spa breaks to low budget hotels, you will find a range of options available in the city centre, airport or near your meeting venue.

Family Day Out

If you are taking the family with you then a visit to Cadbury World is a must, where the whole family can enjoy a fascinating, fun-packed chocolate adventure. With a new 4D cinema experience where lots of Cadbury chocolate characters are brought to life, the whole family is sure to be entertained. Be sure to stop at the world’s largest Cadbury shop on your way out!

Birmingham may well be a shopper’s paradise, with a choice of well-known brands mixed with historic markets, not to mention the world-famous jewellery quarter, Birmingham truly does have something for all shopping tastes. Have your picture taken with The Bull at the front of the Bull Ring Shopping Centre: The Bull is often referenced as the symbol of the city.

Enjoy the Culture

If its culture that you look for then the Birmingham Museum Art Gallery is a must. Here you can learn more of this city’s culture and heritage. The art gallery is famous for its Pre-Raphaelite paintings in fact, it’s the largest Pre-Raphaelite collection in the world. The museum’s exhibition on the Staffordshire hoard is informative and certainly worth a visit to learn more about this fascinating find.

Located in the heart of the city of Birmingham is the Birmingham Back to Back Houses, the last surviving courtyard of this type of housing in the city: a real part of this city’s urban history. Come prepared, there’s plenty of stairs to climb as you make your way through the exhibition with the informative and knowledgeable visitor guides.

Birmingham is also a great city to visit if you enjoy watching live sport. There’s plenty of football, athletics, cricket, speedway and tennis on at various times during the year, so look ahead and plan your visit accordingly.

They love their food in Birmingham, with food festivals and events taking place throughout the year. If you enjoy a quality meal cooked with locally sourced ingredients you won’t be disappointed when in Birmingham there’re plenty of Michelin starred restaurants and other stylish restaurants to choose from.

Where to stay in Birmingham

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Birmingham City Centre

4/5(2,149 area reviews)

Known for its fantastic nightlife and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Birmingham City Centre. Check out top attractions like Birmingham Cathedral and Victoria Square, and jump on the metro at Grand Central Tram Stop or Corporation Street Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Birmingham City Centre
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Edgbaston

3.5/5(332 area reviews)

Take time in Edgbaston to visit attractions like Hagley Road and Birmingham Botanical Gardens. You might also appreciate the abundant dining options, and you can hop on the metro at Edgbaston Village Station to see more of the city.

Edgbaston
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Marston Green

Well liked for its restaurants and museums, Marston Green is worth a visit. Check out the variety of things to see and do like bp pulse LIVE and Resorts World Birmingham, and jump on the metro at Air Rail Link Tram Stop to get around the city.

Marston Green
Coventry which includes night scenes

Coventry City Centre

3.5/5(40 area reviews)

Coventry City Centre is noteworthy for its museums, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Lady Godiva Statue and St Mary's Guildhall.

Coventry City Centre
Ikon Gallery which includes a square or plaza, night scenes and a city

Westside

4/5(64 area reviews)

Known for its fantastic nightlife and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Westside. Check out top attractions like Broad Street and National SEA LIFE Centre, and jump on the metro at Five Ways Tram Stop or Brindley Place Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Westside
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Convention Quarter

Known for its fantastic nightlife and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Convention Quarter. Check out top attractions like Symphony Hall and Industry and Genius, and jump on the metro at Library Tram Stop or Brindley Place Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Convention Quarter
Crowne Plaza Birmingham City Centre by IHG

Crowne Plaza Birmingham City Centre by IHG

4 out of 5
Central Square, Holliday Street Birmingham England
The price is €87 per night from 2 Jan to 3 Jan
€87
2 Jan - 3 Jan 2026
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,048 reviews)
Great staff and amenities. Location was great too

Reviewed on 1 Dec 2025

Crowne Plaza Birmingham City Centre by IHG
Forest of Arden Hotel & Country Club

Forest of Arden Hotel & Country Club

4 out of 5
Maxstoke Lane, Meriden Solihull England
The price is €72 per night from 21 Dec to 22 Dec
€72
21 Dec - 22 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Solihull. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
Clean room, very comfortable bed, great shower and lovely staff

Reviewed on 3 Dec 2025

Forest of Arden Hotel & Country Club
Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham

Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham

4 out of 5
245 Broad Street Birmingham England
The price is €88 per night from 21 Dec to 22 Dec
€88
21 Dec - 22 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,855 reviews)
Lovely modern hotel, clean and great location.

Reviewed on 2 Dec 2025

Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Staycity Aparthotels , Birmingham, City Centre

Staycity Aparthotels , Birmingham, City Centre

3.5 out of 5
88 Charlotte Street Birmingham England
Stay at this aparthotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,120 reviews)
All good! Recommended.

Reviewed on 3 Dec 2025

Staycity Aparthotels , Birmingham, City Centre
Aparthotel Adagio Birmingham City Centre

Aparthotel Adagio Birmingham City Centre

4 out of 5
131 Digbeth Birmingham England
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,283 reviews)
Absolutely fine. No issues.

Reviewed on 2 Dec 2025

Aparthotel Adagio Birmingham City Centre
No.8 Waterloo Apartments

No.8 Waterloo Apartments

4 out of 5
8 Waterloo Street Birmingham England
Stay at this apartment in Birmingham. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, daily housekeeping and dry cleaning or laundry services. Popular attractions Bullring & Grand Central ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (149 reviews)
Check-in was super easy. I was travelling on my own (female) for work, and I did feel safe. The apartment was a decent level of cleanliness, and very spacious for what I paid. Excellent to have a little kitchen and space to sit - rather than just a cramped bedroom. I would definitely stay again.

Reviewed on 30 Nov 2025

No.8 Waterloo Apartments
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Birmingham

4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
702
5 - Excellent 29%
4 - Good
1086
4 - Good 45%
3 - Okay
463
3 - Okay 19%
2 - Disappointing
86
2 - Disappointing 4%
1 - Terrible
51
1 - Terrible 2%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Friendly people and the best city in the UK

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

I applaud the cleanliness of the area I visited

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Loads of developments and upgrading of buildings and road infrastructure etc. Road diversion routes confusing but will eventually result in the city center being a pleasant place to visit

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

We were in Birmingham for a gig just out of town but had a wander around the centre and were very impressed.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

love it

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great city