Birmingham

The Birmingham guide is compiled by Jenny McKelvie


Airport Information


  • Bus 900 departs for the city centre every 20-30 minutes. Tickets: single £1.70; £3.40 return.

  • Holiday Taxis (easyJet.holidaytaxis.com) take you from home to the airport, then city or destination.

  • Visit the Europcar desk on arrival for special easyJet inflight rates.

  • The journey to the centre costs about £20 and takes 25 minutes.

  • Trains leave every 10 minutes for the city centre. Tickets: £3.10 single; £6.20 return.

Bon Appetit

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    (14 The Water's Edge, Brindley Place. Tel. 01216 656 542)
    Choose from 30 toppings for your flame-grilled burger and indulge in a wickedly calorific portion of hand-cut chips.
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    (Newhall Place, City Centre. Tel. 0121 212 9837)
    The modern British menu tempts with the likes of seared tuna, spiced cod fillet and lemon curd tart. The subterranean setting in the cellars of a Grade II-listed Victorian building is sophisticated.
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    (13 St Mary's Row, Moseley. Tel. 0121 449 9618)
    The modern European menu tantalises taste buds with the likes of smoked salmon and fillet of beef. Warm service complements the good food and generous portions.
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    (6 Central Square, Brindleyplace. Tel. 0121 633 4944)
    Chef Andy Waters brings fine dining to the canalside. But however first-rate the cooking, the chic interior and attentive service are the real ingredients of its success. Sea bass and suckling pig are just some of the delights on offer.

After Dark

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    (35 Canalside Cottages, Gas Street. )
    Squeeze into the small front room of this 18th-century cottage or bag a table in the walled garden and enjoy real ale, tea or coffee. The prime seats are on the canal towpath itself.
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    (25 Frederick Street, Hockley. Tel. 0121 236 4653)
    Thursday is live music night at this trendy bar/restaurant in the Jewellery Quarter.
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    (16 Hurst Street. Tel. 0121 622 6878)
    A favourite with the city's night owls, Barracuda keeps clubbers happy with DJs pumping out everything from dance music to indie tunes.

This month...

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  • The warren of shops - offering everything from alternative clothing and niche footwear to tattoos and body piercings - that comprise The Oasis make it Birmingham's most unique department store (110-114 Corporation Street. Tel. 0121 233 4488).
  • More than 300 groups take to stages across the city as the world's largest youth music festival gets off the ground. Alfresco concerts in Chamberlain Square are an undoubted highlight (6-12 July. www.mfy.org.uk).
  • The suburb of Sparkbrook is home to The Ackers, where children and adults can try their hand at everything from archery and canoeing to skiing and rock climbing (www.ackers-adventure.co.uk). After all that activity you will need to refuel in one of the ethnic restaurants that dot Stratford Road.
  • Travel back in time to medieval Britain with a visit to the market town of Henley-in-Arden, where a picturesque village, country pubs and cooling Henley Ice Cream await. Trains from Snow Hill to Henley-in-Arden stations take about 40 minutes.

Tips

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  • Birmingham was home to the world's first exhibition hall, which opened back in 1850. The ICC now stands on the spot once occupied by Bingley Hall.

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