Birmingham Airport
Birmingham airport as previously mentioned is the fastest
growing airport in the UK. The second phase of development
of this modern and busy airport will create new opportunities
as more and more visitors seek out destination Midlands.
With daily flights to Chicago (a
partner city) and over 160 departures a day to 50
destinations by 22 airlines, Birmingham International
Airport is the UK's largest airport outside London and
carries over 7 million passengers a year.
Some more interesting facts;
A population of 7 million live within 60 minutes of
the city centre of Birmingham
The West Midlands produces 30% of the UK's automotive
components
The largest shopping cachment outside of London
(new retail investments worth £830,000,000)
Regional centre of culture and arts
Birmingham has more parks than any other UK city
Discover Birmingham
If you plan to visit Birmingham you will find it is
very easy to get around. There is a lot to see and do.
Take a look at the Attractions
page which will take you straight to key areas of
interest in Birmingham and the West Midlands. However,
assuming you are arriving in the city centre, you might
like to make your way to the Tourist Information Centre
in Victoria
Square which is right by the Council
House. A look around the town centre perhaps or
a visit to the Museum.
The Ikon
Gallery is close by within 5 minutes walk of Victoria
Square. From Victoria square you will see the Town
Hall which was constructed in 1834 and which has
seen some historic musical landmarks.
You can easily spend a day just visiting these. Birmingham
also boasts some excellent shopping facilities and has
3 main shopping arcades all within easy walking distance
of Victoria Square. I'm starting with Victoria Square
becuase it is literally a few minutes from New Street
Station and an excellent start point if you come to
Birmingham by train.
So, you've now spent the day rushing round and doing
the tourist bit and you want to relax and get a bite
to eat and just sit and enjoy the scenery?. Walk through
the arcade adjacent to the Tourist Information Office
and it will take you to Centenary
Square and Broad Street. You will see the Hyatt
Hotel and the Symphony
Hall which itself is right by the International
Convention Centre. A stroll through the square past
Baskerville House and the Hall of Rememberance and you
will approach the entrance of the ICC. You can take
a short cut straight through it and admire the modern
interior and pleasant surroundings. Coming out of the
other exit you will find yourself by the canal and the
National
Sea Life Centre. You can't fail to notice the huge
National
Indoor Arena against the backdrop of the canal and
its many bars and restaurants. If you are into a hectic
lifestyle and are warming up for a night on the town
then this is the place to be. Broad Street is packed
with pubs, restaurants and clubs so you can eat, drink
and dance the night away. Check out our Entertainment
Page for more details of what is available.
What else is there to do?
Many other areas of interest are within a short bus
ride of the city centre. Again, most of these can be
found on the Attractions
page or in the Entertainment
Section but you might be interested to know that
Birmingham has a vibrant Chinese
Quarter, an excellent Botanical
Garden and a nature centre near the well known BBC
Pebble Mill Building. If you like history you could
try Aston Hall,
Sarehole Mill or the Selly
Oak Manor near Cadbury
World. For the sports fanatics you will probably
make a beeline for the Aston Villa ground or Edgbaston
Cricket ground. There are over
200
Parks if you feel the need to escape from urban
life for a while. The Jewellery Quarter, the
Barber
Institute of fine art and Soho
House are all popular destinations in close proximity
to the city centre. There is much more to see and do,
depending of course on the duration of your stay and
whether or not you have transport there is a whole host
of places to visit on the outskirts of Birmingham and
beyond. Use our site search engine off the main index
page to find anything that isn't mentioned here.
Was this the Birmingham that you remembered?
Birmingham has changed a lot. Not only Birmingham.
Take a look at some of the other towns nearby. If shopping
is your weakness then the Merry
Hill Shopping Complex is the place to go and you
can easily spend a whole day there. Whatever you do,
I hope that you leave Birmingham with pleasant memories
and found your visit rewarding and worthwhile. It has
changed.......is changing. Come back again sometime
soon.
All the best............a converted southerner
