Bath city guide and sightseeing
SummaryBath is one of the finest architectural jewels in England’s crown. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this glorious city exudes history, romance and elegance. The newly re-opened Thermae Bath Spa - as the only place in the country nourished by natural hot springs - has also helped to rekindle interest in the city.
Meanwhile, upmarket hotels and sophisticated restaurants offer all the trappings for a luxury weekend break. Set amid rolling Somerset countryside, Bath is also the gateway to unspoilt scenery and a haven for walkers and cyclists.
Getting there/getting around BathBath is less than a two-hour drive from London and can be accessed via Junction 18 off the M4. Its train connections are also excellent and the station is a five minute walk from the city centre. Bristol Airport is 22 miles away and is the nearest airport.
Walking around the city is the best way to explore and to appreciate its architecture. There are numerous themed guided tours of the city - from ghost walks and pub crawls to literary trails and historical hikes.
Sightseeing in BathDiscover why the Romans settled in the area over 2000 years ago by visiting the Roman Baths, a beautifully preserved temple and bathing complex still fed by naturally hot waters. In the adjoining Pump Room, you can even sample a cup of warm spa water.
If you want to indulge, spend a day at the Thermal Bath Spa, where you can slide into mineral-rich warm waters from a choice of four bathing pools. There’s also a roof top pool, spa treatments or a blast in the steam rooms. If you prefer more luxury spa packages, visit the Royal Crescent Hotel, the Bath Spa Hotel or Bath Priory Hotel.
Not to be missed is the sweeping elegant curve of the Royal Crescent featuring superbly restored Georgian residences and a luxury spa hotel overlooking the glorious expanse of Royal Victoria Park. Pulteney Bridge, crossing the river Avon, is equally enchanting.
Bath family attractions, day trips and shopping experiences
Family attractions in BathSmall children may wish to pay a visit to the Paddington and Friends shop in Abbey Street dedicated to the Peruvian bear.
On the outskirts of Bath lies Avon Valley Country Park with a Pets corner, picnic area, free boating, fishing and a junior assault course. A riverside trail provides information about local birds, wildlife and plants.
Longleat House and Safari Park is also a great day out for the family and can be reached en-route to Salisbury.Farleigh Hungerford Castle is an impressive looking building set in the pretty valley of the River Frome. Visitors can take a peek into a chapel and crypt and there is a summer programme of military re-enactments, music and drama.
Day trips around BathBath is surrounding by rolling green countryside and picturesque villages. Make time to explore – either on walks, bike roads or on a canal boat. Bath Narrowboats specialises in day trips along the Kennet and Avon Canal. Themed cruises and hot air balloon trips can also be arranged.
The strange, mythical 5000-year-old stone circle at Stonehenge is an easy day trip. You should also visit Avebury which features Britain’s largest stone circle, plus huge man-made Solsbury Hill.
Chew Valley Lake is just 14km from the city. A haven for bird watchers, it boasts natural trails, picnic areas and a delightful tea shop.
Shopping in BathThanks to the city’s legacy as former centre for cabinet making, Bath today is renowned for its antique shops. Boutiques and speciality gift stores selling everything from art to chocolate and jewellery are other strong points.
The main shopping streets include Milsom and Walcot Streets. Shires Yard is a wonderful way to splurge out and contains upmarket jewellery stores and an art gallery.
Bath nightlife, restaurants, bars and clubs
Eating out in BathTraditional tea shops and pubs rub shoulders with high quality eateries to provide an eclectic choice for diners. Some of the top spots to eat include the Seafood Café famed for its oysters, Firehouse Rotisserie which serves up Californian cuisine, Hole in the Wall for British fare and the award-winning Priory Hotel restaurant.
Bath is renowned for its soft cheese which visitors can buy from speciality stores. Also check out the Fish Market on Green Street, the Guildhall Market and the Farmers Market for local produce. Sally Lunn’s Tea Rooms are also something of an institution but can get crowded in summer.
Nightlife in BathVenture into one of the city’s traditional pubs, such as The Catherine Wheel, a former coaching inn with high ceiling, fireplaces and stone walls, or the Coeur de Lion.
Bath is dotted with popular nightspots such as Cadillacs, Babylon, The Blue Rooms or the Fez Club. The city also boasts live music venues, comedy shows, theatre and numerous festivals during the year.
For bargain guest houses & hotels in Bath http://www.latebreakhotels.com/links.htm or http://www.latebreakhotels.com
Monday, 23 February 2009
Monday, 16 February 2009
Cheap UK hotels online
Seeking a much required break from your mundane and boring routine? Best way out recommended by all and sundry is to travel to exotic locales around the globe. As soon as the idea sets in, one needs to make advance bookings and reservations at various hotels, airlines and cruises to save oneself the hassle later on. The most favoured way of accomplishing this task these days is to go searching for cheap hotels and accommodation deals on the internet and make reservations anywhere in the world from the comfort of ones home.Before you get set to reserve a hotel in UK, one need to perform a sort of recce to ensure that the one that you decide on is actually the best that is available at the amount that you are ready to shell out. This is actually facilitated through various search engines on the world wide web, wherein keywords like ‘cheap hotels’ and ‘hotel reservations in UK’ bring forth desired results in a matter of seconds. One just needs to go through the list, compare various deals offered by different merchants, perform a comparative study and zero in on the most suitable deal. Finding cheap hotels in UK or reserving hotels in UK at discounted rates is no more a cumbersome task that it used to be earlier. Be it Spain, Africa, Menorca Island, Portugal, Rome, London, Paris or Barcelona, packages for destinations, known and unknown, are available by the click of your mouse. Hotel reservation service in UK has grown manifold since the time of inception of cashback portals and supermarkets on the internet that offer cheap travel packages to scintillating locations around the world. The trend has been set and it has also set the ball rolling for the travel industry in UK. So, next time you need to book cheap hotels or reserve discounted hotels, look no further, make no enquiries. Just sit back, relax and yes, don’t forget to switch on your computer!
So for cheap UK hotels visit http://www.latebreakhotels.com
or http://www.latebreakhotels.com/links.htm
So for cheap UK hotels visit http://www.latebreakhotels.com
or http://www.latebreakhotels.com/links.htm
Tourists guide for hotels in Birmingham, Englands second city
Birmingham city guide and sightseeing
SummaryBirmingham's renaissance in the last 20 years has transformed it from a quagmire of urban carbuncles into a vibrant and visually impressive city. Nothing is more symbolic of its long overdue resurgence than the futuristic Selfridges department store. Plans are also in place to develop the city's east side into a major new social and cultural quarter.
Apart from retail therapy, Birmingham offers vibrant nightlife, an eclectic cultural calendar and a revitalised canal network, making it a fantastic city break destination. Whether you want to sample Indian food in the Balti Triangle, stay at chic hotels such as the Malmaison Hotel & Spa and the Hotel Du Vin & Bistro, or sample new up-and-coming clubs, you won't be disappointed on this Midlands short break.
Visit Birmingham city guide and sightseeing
SummaryBirmingham's renaissance in the last 20 years has transformed it from a quagmire of urban carbuncles into a vibrant and visually impressive city. Nothing is more symbolic of its long overdue resurgence than the futuristic Selfridges department store. Plans are also in place to develop the city's east side into a major new social and cultural quarter.
Apart from retail therapy, Birmingham offers vibrant nightlife, an eclectic cultural calendar and a revitalised canal network, making it a fantastic city break destination. Whether you want to sample Indian food in the Balti Triangle, stay at chic hotels such as the Malmaison Hotel & Spa and the Hotel Du Vin & Bistro, or sample new up-and-coming clubs, you won't be disappointed on this Midlands short break.
Getting there/getting around BirminghamGeographically central, Birmingham is accessible from all over Britain. Trains and coaches - which have to negotiate the almost permanently jammed Midlands motorway network including the notorious Spaghetti Junction - are frequent. There are a number of UK and European flights to Birmingham's International Airport.
By road, it's accessible via the M6 (from north or south), the M40 (from Oxfordshire and the mid west) or the M5 (from the west).
Sightseeing around BirminghamStroll around St Philip's Cathedral or take a look at the etchings and sketchings in the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, housed in a stunning Victorian building. Make time to visit Aston Hall, a beautifully maintained Jacobean mansion or head to the Barber Institute for Fine Arts or the lively Ikon Gallery with its bustling cafe and modern art collection. Don't miss Thinktank, a science museum or simply hang out in Victoria Square.
Birmingham family attractions, day trips and shopping experiences
Family attractions in BirminghamChocoholics should head to Bournville for a tour round Cadbury World where you can watch 800 bars of chocolate a minute being wrapped and dispatched. You'll learn about the history of chocolate-making while the kids enjoy the playground area.
Footie fans are well served with two Premiership teams - Birmingham City and Aston Villa - both based within minutes of the city centre. Kids may also like pony trekking at Woodgate Valley Country Park.
Day trips from BirminghamCrammed with all the white-knuckle rides you could wish for, including G Force, Apocalypse and Stormforce 10, Drayton Manor Theme Park near Tamworth is about a 30 minute drive from the city. There are tons of attractions for younger visitors in Robinson Land and even a 15 acre zoo.
To the west lies Ironbridge – the cradle of the Industrial Revolution and home to ten museums, surrounded by the rolling Shropshire countryside. The impressive Malvern Hills are less then an hour away. If you're after a bit of culture, head south to Shakespeare's birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon and historic Warwick Castle. One step further are the Cotswold hills, featuring chocolate box villages and wooded valleys.
Shopping in BirminghamShopaholics will be in heaven. The £500 million development of the previously derided Bullring area claims to be Europe's biggest city centre shopping centre development and sprawls over an area equivalent to 26 football pitches. At its heart is the flagship Selfridges store. Architecturally it's been praised and scorned in equal measure, but has helped put the city squarely on the UK tourist map. Fans of designer gear should also visit the exclusive Mailbox area, home to Harvey Nichols.
New Street is where you'll find find high street names and there's the Jewellery Quarter featuring over 100 specialist stores, a museum explaining the area's 500-year-old history and a sign-posted historical walking trail.
Birmingham nightlife, restaurants, bars and clubs
Restaurants in BirminghamYou'll find anything that takes your fancy in Birmingham. French-inspired modern British cuisine earned Jessica's its Michelin star status in 2005. The canal-side restaurants along Brindleyplace are also popular, particular in the summer when al-fresco dining gives the city a continental atmosphere.
If you're a fan of spicy food, head to the city's renowned Balti Triangle near Sparbook. Home to Kashmiri cuisine, it has more than 50 restaurants. Visitors can even learn about spices and how to cook authentic Balti dishes on special cookery weekends.
China Town near the Aracadian Centre also has restaurants to suit every budget.
Nightlife in BirminghamWith more students than any other UK city outside London, it's no wonder there's a lively clubbing scene. From Bangra to Bach, house to hip hop, folk to flamenco, Birmingham's musical menu is second only to the capital in terms of diversity. Check the local paper for listings.
Brindleyplace, The Mailbox area, Broad Street (dubbed the Golden Mile) and the Arcadian Centre are a magnet for clubbers and drinkers. The Jam House near St Paul's Square offers sophisticated piano music while culture vultures should head to the Birmingham Hippodrome for arts and theatre.Birmingham city guide and sightseeing
SummaryBirmingham's renaissance in the last 20 years has transformed it from a quagmire of urban carbuncles into a vibrant and visually impressive city. Nothing is more symbolic of its long overdue resurgence than the futuristic Selfridges department store. Plans are also in place to develop the city's east side into a major new social and cultural quarter.
Apart from retail therapy, Birmingham offers vibrant nightlife, an eclectic cultural calendar and a revitalised canal network, making it a fantastic city break destination. Whether you want to sample Indian food in the Balti Triangle, stay at chic hotels such as the Malmaison Hotel & Spa and the Hotel Du Vin & Bistro, or sample new up-and-coming clubs, you won't be disappointed on this Midlands short break.
Getting there/getting around BirminghamGeographically central, Birmingham is accessible from all over Britain. Trains and coaches - which have to negotiate the almost permanently jammed Midlands motorway network including the notorious Spaghetti Junction - are frequent. There are a number of UK and European flights to Birmingham's International Airport.
By road, it's accessible via the M6 (from north or south), the M40 (from Oxfordshire and the mid west) or the M5 (from the west).
Sightseeing around BirminghamStroll around St Philip's Cathedral or take a look at the etchings and sketchings in the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, housed in a stunning Victorian building. Make time to visit Aston Hall, a beautifully maintained Jacobean mansion or head to the Barber Institute for Fine Arts or the lively Ikon Gallery with its bustling cafe and modern art collection. Don't miss Thinktank, a science museum or simply hang out in Victoria Square.
Birmingham family attractions, day trips and shopping experiences
Family attractions in BirminghamChocoholics should head to Bournville for a tour round Cadbury World where you can watch 800 bars of chocolate a minute being wrapped and dispatched. You'll learn about the history of chocolate-making while the kids enjoy the playground area.
Footie fans are well served with two Premiership teams - Birmingham City and Aston Villa - both based within minutes of the city centre. Kids may also like pony trekking at Woodgate Valley Country Park.
Day trips from BirminghamCrammed with all the white-knuckle rides you could wish for, including G Force, Apocalypse and Stormforce 10, Drayton Manor Theme Park near Tamworth is about a 30 minute drive from the city. There are tons of attractions for younger visitors in Robinson Land and even a 15 acre zoo.
To the west lies Ironbridge – the cradle of the Industrial Revolution and home to ten museums, surrounded by the rolling Shropshire countryside. The impressive Malvern Hills are less then an hour away. If you're after a bit of culture, head south to Shakespeare's birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon and historic Warwick Castle. One step further are the Cotswold hills, featuring chocolate box villages and wooded valleys.
Shopping in BirminghamShopaholics will be in heaven. The £500 million development of the previously derided Bullring area claims to be Europe's biggest city centre shopping centre development and sprawls over an area equivalent to 26 football pitches. At its heart is the flagship Selfridges store. Architecturally it's been praised and scorned in equal measure, but has helped put the city squarely on the UK tourist map. Fans of designer gear should also visit the exclusive Mailbox area, home to Harvey Nichols.
New Street is where you'll find find high street names and there's the Jewellery Quarter featuring over 100 specialist stores, a museum explaining the area's 500-year-old history and a sign-posted historical walking trail.
Birmingham nightlife, restaurants, bars and clubs
Restaurants in BirminghamYou'll find anything that takes your fancy in Birmingham. French-inspired modern British cuisine earned Jessica's its Michelin star status in 2005. The canal-side restaurants along Brindleyplace are also popular, particular in the summer when al-fresco dining gives the city a continental atmosphere.
If you're a fan of spicy food, head to the city's renowned Balti Triangle near Sparbook. Home to Kashmiri cuisine, it has more than 50 restaurants. Visitors can even learn about spices and how to cook authentic Balti dishes on special cookery weekends.
China Town near the Aracadian Centre also has restaurants to suit every budget.
Nightlife in BirminghamWith more students than any other UK city outside London, it's no wonder there's a lively clubbing scene. From Bangra to Bach, house to hip hop, folk to flamenco, Birmingham's musical menu is second only to the capital in terms of diversity. Check the local paper for listings.
Brindleyplace, The Mailbox area, Broad Street (dubbed the Golden Mile) and the Arcadian Centre are a magnet for clubbers and drinkers. The Jam House near St Paul's Square offers sophisticated piano music while culture vultures should head to the Birmingham Hippodrome for arts and theatre.
Getting there/getting around BirminghamGeographically central, Birmingham is accessible from all over Britain. Trains and coaches - which have to negotiate the almost permanently jammed Midlands motorway network including the notorious Spaghetti Junction - are frequent. There are a number of UK and European flights to Birmingham's International Airport.
By road, it's accessible via the M6 (from north or south), the M40 (from Oxfordshire and the mid west) or the M5 (from the west).
Sightseeing around BirminghamStroll around St Philip's Cathedral or take a look at the etchings and sketchings in the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, housed in a stunning Victorian building. Make time to visit Aston Hall, a beautifully maintained Jacobean mansion or head to the Barber Institute for Fine Arts or the lively Ikon Gallery with its bustling cafe and modern art collection. Don't miss Thinktank, a science museum or simply hang out in Victoria Square.
Birmingham family attractions, day trips and shopping experiences
Family attractions in BirminghamChocoholics should head to Bournville for a tour round Cadbury World where you can watch 800 bars of chocolate a minute being wrapped and dispatched. You'll learn about the history of chocolate-making while the kids enjoy the playground area.
Footie fans are well served with two Premiership teams - Birmingham City and Aston Villa - both based within minutes of the city centre. Kids may also like pony trekking at Woodgate Valley Country Park.
Day trips from BirminghamCrammed with all the white-knuckle rides you could wish for, including G Force, Apocalypse and Stormforce 10, Drayton Manor Theme Park near Tamworth is about a 30 minute drive from the city. There are tons of attractions for younger visitors in Robinson Land and even a 15 acre zoo.
To the west lies Ironbridge – the cradle of the Industrial Revolution and home to ten museums, surrounded by the rolling Shropshire countryside. The impressive Malvern Hills are less then an hour away. If you're after a bit of culture, head south to Shakespeare's birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon and historic Warwick Castle. One step further are the Cotswold hills, featuring chocolate box villages and wooded valleys.
Shopping in BirminghamShopaholics will be in heaven. The £500 million development of the previously derided Bullring area claims to be Europe's biggest city centre shopping centre development and sprawls over an area equivalent to 26 football pitches. At its heart is the flagship Selfridges store. Architecturally it's been praised and scorned in equal measure, but has helped put the city squarely on the UK tourist map. Fans of designer gear should also visit the exclusive Mailbox area, home to Harvey Nichols.
New Street is where you'll find find high street names and there's the Jewellery Quarter featuring over 100 specialist stores, a museum explaining the area's 500-year-old history and a sign-posted historical walking trail.
Birmingham nightlife, restaurants, bars and clubs
Restaurants in BirminghamYou'll find anything that takes your fancy in Birmingham. French-inspired modern British cuisine earned Jessica's its Michelin star status in 2005. The canal-side restaurants along Brindleyplace are also popular, particular in the summer when al-fresco dining gives the city a continental atmosphere.
If you're a fan of spicy food, head to the city's renowned Balti Triangle near Sparbook. Home to Kashmiri cuisine, it has more than 50 restaurants. Visitors can even learn about spices and how to cook authentic Balti dishes on special cookery weekends.
China Town near the Aracadian Centre also has restaurants to suit every budget.
Nightlife in BirminghamWith more students than any other UK city outside London, it's no wonder there's a lively clubbing scene. From Bangra to Bach, house to hip hop, folk to flamenco, Birmingham's musical menu is second only to the capital in terms of diversity. Check the local paper for listings.
Brindleyplace, The Mailbox area, Broad Street (dubbed the Golden Mile) and the Arcadian Centre are a magnet for clubbers and drinkers. The Jam House near St Paul's Square offers sophisticated piano music while culture vultures should head to the Birmingham Hippodrome for arts and theatre.
Mark Williams writes articles for hotels and guides for http://www.latebreakhotels.com
or http://www.latebreakhotels.com/links.htm
SummaryBirmingham's renaissance in the last 20 years has transformed it from a quagmire of urban carbuncles into a vibrant and visually impressive city. Nothing is more symbolic of its long overdue resurgence than the futuristic Selfridges department store. Plans are also in place to develop the city's east side into a major new social and cultural quarter.
Apart from retail therapy, Birmingham offers vibrant nightlife, an eclectic cultural calendar and a revitalised canal network, making it a fantastic city break destination. Whether you want to sample Indian food in the Balti Triangle, stay at chic hotels such as the Malmaison Hotel & Spa and the Hotel Du Vin & Bistro, or sample new up-and-coming clubs, you won't be disappointed on this Midlands short break.
Visit Birmingham city guide and sightseeing
SummaryBirmingham's renaissance in the last 20 years has transformed it from a quagmire of urban carbuncles into a vibrant and visually impressive city. Nothing is more symbolic of its long overdue resurgence than the futuristic Selfridges department store. Plans are also in place to develop the city's east side into a major new social and cultural quarter.
Apart from retail therapy, Birmingham offers vibrant nightlife, an eclectic cultural calendar and a revitalised canal network, making it a fantastic city break destination. Whether you want to sample Indian food in the Balti Triangle, stay at chic hotels such as the Malmaison Hotel & Spa and the Hotel Du Vin & Bistro, or sample new up-and-coming clubs, you won't be disappointed on this Midlands short break.
Getting there/getting around BirminghamGeographically central, Birmingham is accessible from all over Britain. Trains and coaches - which have to negotiate the almost permanently jammed Midlands motorway network including the notorious Spaghetti Junction - are frequent. There are a number of UK and European flights to Birmingham's International Airport.
By road, it's accessible via the M6 (from north or south), the M40 (from Oxfordshire and the mid west) or the M5 (from the west).
Sightseeing around BirminghamStroll around St Philip's Cathedral or take a look at the etchings and sketchings in the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, housed in a stunning Victorian building. Make time to visit Aston Hall, a beautifully maintained Jacobean mansion or head to the Barber Institute for Fine Arts or the lively Ikon Gallery with its bustling cafe and modern art collection. Don't miss Thinktank, a science museum or simply hang out in Victoria Square.
Birmingham family attractions, day trips and shopping experiences
Family attractions in BirminghamChocoholics should head to Bournville for a tour round Cadbury World where you can watch 800 bars of chocolate a minute being wrapped and dispatched. You'll learn about the history of chocolate-making while the kids enjoy the playground area.
Footie fans are well served with two Premiership teams - Birmingham City and Aston Villa - both based within minutes of the city centre. Kids may also like pony trekking at Woodgate Valley Country Park.
Day trips from BirminghamCrammed with all the white-knuckle rides you could wish for, including G Force, Apocalypse and Stormforce 10, Drayton Manor Theme Park near Tamworth is about a 30 minute drive from the city. There are tons of attractions for younger visitors in Robinson Land and even a 15 acre zoo.
To the west lies Ironbridge – the cradle of the Industrial Revolution and home to ten museums, surrounded by the rolling Shropshire countryside. The impressive Malvern Hills are less then an hour away. If you're after a bit of culture, head south to Shakespeare's birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon and historic Warwick Castle. One step further are the Cotswold hills, featuring chocolate box villages and wooded valleys.
Shopping in BirminghamShopaholics will be in heaven. The £500 million development of the previously derided Bullring area claims to be Europe's biggest city centre shopping centre development and sprawls over an area equivalent to 26 football pitches. At its heart is the flagship Selfridges store. Architecturally it's been praised and scorned in equal measure, but has helped put the city squarely on the UK tourist map. Fans of designer gear should also visit the exclusive Mailbox area, home to Harvey Nichols.
New Street is where you'll find find high street names and there's the Jewellery Quarter featuring over 100 specialist stores, a museum explaining the area's 500-year-old history and a sign-posted historical walking trail.
Birmingham nightlife, restaurants, bars and clubs
Restaurants in BirminghamYou'll find anything that takes your fancy in Birmingham. French-inspired modern British cuisine earned Jessica's its Michelin star status in 2005. The canal-side restaurants along Brindleyplace are also popular, particular in the summer when al-fresco dining gives the city a continental atmosphere.
If you're a fan of spicy food, head to the city's renowned Balti Triangle near Sparbook. Home to Kashmiri cuisine, it has more than 50 restaurants. Visitors can even learn about spices and how to cook authentic Balti dishes on special cookery weekends.
China Town near the Aracadian Centre also has restaurants to suit every budget.
Nightlife in BirminghamWith more students than any other UK city outside London, it's no wonder there's a lively clubbing scene. From Bangra to Bach, house to hip hop, folk to flamenco, Birmingham's musical menu is second only to the capital in terms of diversity. Check the local paper for listings.
Brindleyplace, The Mailbox area, Broad Street (dubbed the Golden Mile) and the Arcadian Centre are a magnet for clubbers and drinkers. The Jam House near St Paul's Square offers sophisticated piano music while culture vultures should head to the Birmingham Hippodrome for arts and theatre.Birmingham city guide and sightseeing
SummaryBirmingham's renaissance in the last 20 years has transformed it from a quagmire of urban carbuncles into a vibrant and visually impressive city. Nothing is more symbolic of its long overdue resurgence than the futuristic Selfridges department store. Plans are also in place to develop the city's east side into a major new social and cultural quarter.
Apart from retail therapy, Birmingham offers vibrant nightlife, an eclectic cultural calendar and a revitalised canal network, making it a fantastic city break destination. Whether you want to sample Indian food in the Balti Triangle, stay at chic hotels such as the Malmaison Hotel & Spa and the Hotel Du Vin & Bistro, or sample new up-and-coming clubs, you won't be disappointed on this Midlands short break.
Getting there/getting around BirminghamGeographically central, Birmingham is accessible from all over Britain. Trains and coaches - which have to negotiate the almost permanently jammed Midlands motorway network including the notorious Spaghetti Junction - are frequent. There are a number of UK and European flights to Birmingham's International Airport.
By road, it's accessible via the M6 (from north or south), the M40 (from Oxfordshire and the mid west) or the M5 (from the west).
Sightseeing around BirminghamStroll around St Philip's Cathedral or take a look at the etchings and sketchings in the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, housed in a stunning Victorian building. Make time to visit Aston Hall, a beautifully maintained Jacobean mansion or head to the Barber Institute for Fine Arts or the lively Ikon Gallery with its bustling cafe and modern art collection. Don't miss Thinktank, a science museum or simply hang out in Victoria Square.
Birmingham family attractions, day trips and shopping experiences
Family attractions in BirminghamChocoholics should head to Bournville for a tour round Cadbury World where you can watch 800 bars of chocolate a minute being wrapped and dispatched. You'll learn about the history of chocolate-making while the kids enjoy the playground area.
Footie fans are well served with two Premiership teams - Birmingham City and Aston Villa - both based within minutes of the city centre. Kids may also like pony trekking at Woodgate Valley Country Park.
Day trips from BirminghamCrammed with all the white-knuckle rides you could wish for, including G Force, Apocalypse and Stormforce 10, Drayton Manor Theme Park near Tamworth is about a 30 minute drive from the city. There are tons of attractions for younger visitors in Robinson Land and even a 15 acre zoo.
To the west lies Ironbridge – the cradle of the Industrial Revolution and home to ten museums, surrounded by the rolling Shropshire countryside. The impressive Malvern Hills are less then an hour away. If you're after a bit of culture, head south to Shakespeare's birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon and historic Warwick Castle. One step further are the Cotswold hills, featuring chocolate box villages and wooded valleys.
Shopping in BirminghamShopaholics will be in heaven. The £500 million development of the previously derided Bullring area claims to be Europe's biggest city centre shopping centre development and sprawls over an area equivalent to 26 football pitches. At its heart is the flagship Selfridges store. Architecturally it's been praised and scorned in equal measure, but has helped put the city squarely on the UK tourist map. Fans of designer gear should also visit the exclusive Mailbox area, home to Harvey Nichols.
New Street is where you'll find find high street names and there's the Jewellery Quarter featuring over 100 specialist stores, a museum explaining the area's 500-year-old history and a sign-posted historical walking trail.
Birmingham nightlife, restaurants, bars and clubs
Restaurants in BirminghamYou'll find anything that takes your fancy in Birmingham. French-inspired modern British cuisine earned Jessica's its Michelin star status in 2005. The canal-side restaurants along Brindleyplace are also popular, particular in the summer when al-fresco dining gives the city a continental atmosphere.
If you're a fan of spicy food, head to the city's renowned Balti Triangle near Sparbook. Home to Kashmiri cuisine, it has more than 50 restaurants. Visitors can even learn about spices and how to cook authentic Balti dishes on special cookery weekends.
China Town near the Aracadian Centre also has restaurants to suit every budget.
Nightlife in BirminghamWith more students than any other UK city outside London, it's no wonder there's a lively clubbing scene. From Bangra to Bach, house to hip hop, folk to flamenco, Birmingham's musical menu is second only to the capital in terms of diversity. Check the local paper for listings.
Brindleyplace, The Mailbox area, Broad Street (dubbed the Golden Mile) and the Arcadian Centre are a magnet for clubbers and drinkers. The Jam House near St Paul's Square offers sophisticated piano music while culture vultures should head to the Birmingham Hippodrome for arts and theatre.
Getting there/getting around BirminghamGeographically central, Birmingham is accessible from all over Britain. Trains and coaches - which have to negotiate the almost permanently jammed Midlands motorway network including the notorious Spaghetti Junction - are frequent. There are a number of UK and European flights to Birmingham's International Airport.
By road, it's accessible via the M6 (from north or south), the M40 (from Oxfordshire and the mid west) or the M5 (from the west).
Sightseeing around BirminghamStroll around St Philip's Cathedral or take a look at the etchings and sketchings in the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, housed in a stunning Victorian building. Make time to visit Aston Hall, a beautifully maintained Jacobean mansion or head to the Barber Institute for Fine Arts or the lively Ikon Gallery with its bustling cafe and modern art collection. Don't miss Thinktank, a science museum or simply hang out in Victoria Square.
Birmingham family attractions, day trips and shopping experiences
Family attractions in BirminghamChocoholics should head to Bournville for a tour round Cadbury World where you can watch 800 bars of chocolate a minute being wrapped and dispatched. You'll learn about the history of chocolate-making while the kids enjoy the playground area.
Footie fans are well served with two Premiership teams - Birmingham City and Aston Villa - both based within minutes of the city centre. Kids may also like pony trekking at Woodgate Valley Country Park.
Day trips from BirminghamCrammed with all the white-knuckle rides you could wish for, including G Force, Apocalypse and Stormforce 10, Drayton Manor Theme Park near Tamworth is about a 30 minute drive from the city. There are tons of attractions for younger visitors in Robinson Land and even a 15 acre zoo.
To the west lies Ironbridge – the cradle of the Industrial Revolution and home to ten museums, surrounded by the rolling Shropshire countryside. The impressive Malvern Hills are less then an hour away. If you're after a bit of culture, head south to Shakespeare's birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon and historic Warwick Castle. One step further are the Cotswold hills, featuring chocolate box villages and wooded valleys.
Shopping in BirminghamShopaholics will be in heaven. The £500 million development of the previously derided Bullring area claims to be Europe's biggest city centre shopping centre development and sprawls over an area equivalent to 26 football pitches. At its heart is the flagship Selfridges store. Architecturally it's been praised and scorned in equal measure, but has helped put the city squarely on the UK tourist map. Fans of designer gear should also visit the exclusive Mailbox area, home to Harvey Nichols.
New Street is where you'll find find high street names and there's the Jewellery Quarter featuring over 100 specialist stores, a museum explaining the area's 500-year-old history and a sign-posted historical walking trail.
Birmingham nightlife, restaurants, bars and clubs
Restaurants in BirminghamYou'll find anything that takes your fancy in Birmingham. French-inspired modern British cuisine earned Jessica's its Michelin star status in 2005. The canal-side restaurants along Brindleyplace are also popular, particular in the summer when al-fresco dining gives the city a continental atmosphere.
If you're a fan of spicy food, head to the city's renowned Balti Triangle near Sparbook. Home to Kashmiri cuisine, it has more than 50 restaurants. Visitors can even learn about spices and how to cook authentic Balti dishes on special cookery weekends.
China Town near the Aracadian Centre also has restaurants to suit every budget.
Nightlife in BirminghamWith more students than any other UK city outside London, it's no wonder there's a lively clubbing scene. From Bangra to Bach, house to hip hop, folk to flamenco, Birmingham's musical menu is second only to the capital in terms of diversity. Check the local paper for listings.
Brindleyplace, The Mailbox area, Broad Street (dubbed the Golden Mile) and the Arcadian Centre are a magnet for clubbers and drinkers. The Jam House near St Paul's Square offers sophisticated piano music while culture vultures should head to the Birmingham Hippodrome for arts and theatre.
Mark Williams writes articles for hotels and guides for http://www.latebreakhotels.com
or http://www.latebreakhotels.com/links.htm
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)