From Wikitravel

Birmingham[1], in the West Midlands, is Britain's second largest city, after London.

Contents 1 Understand 2 Get in 2.1 By plane 2.2 By train 2.3 By bus 2.4 By car 2.5 By boat 3 Get around 3.1 By bicycle 3.2 By bus 3.3 By car 3.4 By foot 3.5 By motorcycle 3.6 By taxi 3.7 By train 3.8 By tram 3.9 By water bus 4 See 4.1 Museums and art galleries 4.2 Parks and nature 4.3 Religious buildings 5 Do 5.1 Cinema 5.2 Events 5.3 Lap dancing 5.4 Live music 5.5 Theatre 6 Learn 6.1 Universities 7 Work 8 Buy 9 Eat 9.1 Budget 9.2 Mid-range 9.3 Splurge 9.4 Vegetarian & Vegan 9.5 Self-catering 10 Drink 10.1 General 10.2 St. Paul's Square 10.3 Broad Street 10.4 The Arcadian 10.5 Gay 10.6 Irish 10.7 Other 10.8 Pubs 11 Sleep 11.1 Budget 11.2 Mid-range 11.3 Splurge 12 Contact 12.1 Telephone 12.2 Internet 13 Stay safe 14 Cope 15 Get out 15.1 By train 15.2 By bus 15.3 By car

Understand

Birmingham – the h is silent, please – is Britain's second city. It was at the heart of the UK's industrial revolution, and its wealth was built upon the multitude of trades that were spawned. This lead to a massive canal network, with more miles of canals than Venice (though they're very different types of canal).

Much of the city centre was destroyed during the Second World War, and the replacement buildings added little to the city. Indeed a standing joke among people is Spaghetti Junction - a mass of intersecting motorways and local roads that can send a careless driver off in completely the opposite direction to that which he intended.

However, since the 1990s, Birmingham has been undergoing a radical change and many of the post war buildings have been replaced. The majority of the city center is now pedestrianized, and the canals cleaned up to make for attractive walkways. All credit to the City Council, as the city retains its industrial heritage while now appearing modern and forward looking.

To be fair, Birmingham could not be described as a city full of tourist attractions. The near-by locations of Shropshire, Warwick, and Stratford-Upon-Avon provide more of the stereotypical images of England. However, there is an extremely lively night life, and the shopping is now the best outside of London.

Get in

By plane

Birmingham International Airport (BHX) is a major airport situated about 8 miles south-east of central Birmingham, serving the city and the rest of the West Midlands region with frequent domestic and international charter and scheduled flights. There are several direct arrivals a day from all major UK and European destinations, and one or two from more far-flung places such as Delhi, Dubai, Islamabad, Luxor, New York and Toronto.

Trains run from the airport site to New Street Station every 5-15 minutes from around 6:15AM (Su 8:45AM) to 11:15PM. The journey takes 10 - 20 minutes depending on whether you get an express or local (stopping) service and costs around £2 one way.

Bus service 900 runs every 20-30 minutes between Birmingham and Coventry via the airport from around 6:10AM (Sa 6:30AM, Su 7:00AM) to midnight, takes around 25 minutes and costs £1.20 one way.

A taxi from the airport to central Birmingham will take around 20 minutes and cost around £10.

By train

Birmingham is a major hub of Britain's rail network. The central station (and the one where you are most likely to arrive) is New Street, with Snow Hill and Moor Street carrying significantly fewer services. All three stations are in the city centre and within walking distance of each other.

All areas of Britain are well-served, with hourly services from Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Manchester, Oxford, Sheffield and stations inbetween. Timetables can be checked at National Rail Enquiries (+44 8457 48 49 50) and booked online or over the phone through the train operator.

By bus

Intercity buses, unless clearly stated otherwise, will terminate at Digbeth Coach Station. This is a slightly dilapidated building approximately 0.5 mi south of the city centre (i.e. intercity buses do not serve the city centre) with basic facilities and a booking office. Although the station has been due for an upgrade for several years, it is unlikely to take place anytime soon.

From the coach station, it is an easy ten-minute walk to the city centre (you should be able to see the Bullring complex from the station exit). If you arrive at night (or have large amounts of luggage), consider getting a bus or taxi as the area can be a bit seedy.

There are half-hourly (or more frequent) services from London, and services from most major cities (including Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Oxford and Sheffield) every two hours.

• Megabus, +44 900 160 0900 (premium rate), [2]. Serves London only.
• National Express, +44 8705 80 80 80, [3].

By car

Birmingham is well-signposted and surrounded by motorways, including the orbital M42 and the infamous Spaghetti Junction (Gravelly Hill Interchange). Once in the West Midlands:

• From the north, Birmingham is served by A-roads.
• From the north-east, use the M1, M42 and M6.
• From the east, use the M6.
• From the south-east, use the M40 and M42.
• From the south, Birmingham is served by A-roads.
• From the south-west, use the M5 and M42.
• From the west, Birmingham is served by A-roads.
• From the north-west, use the M6.

By boat

Due to its industrial heritage, Birmingham has an extensive canal network and is on both the Worcester & Birmingham and Grand Union canals. Visitors travelling by narrowboat can choose from several tourist moorings, managed privately or by the City Council. These are very busy in spring and summer.

• Canal Information Centre, 42A Gas Street, +44 121 632 6845 (birminghaminfo@britishwaterways.co.uk).
• Birmingham Canal Navigations by Geo Projects (2004). Highly detailed 1:30,000-scale colour map of the network, with locks, moorings, boatyards etc.

Get around

By bicycle

Birmingham is not a particularly cycle-friendly city (especially compared to the rest of Europe), but it is possible to get around without too much trouble. There are plenty of places to lock a bike up in the city centre, but few cycle lanes and lots of pedestrians. Unless you're touring the UK on pedal power, the best use for a bike is to explore the extensive canal network and country parks, travel to out-of-town attractions and head off to more distant places such as Warwick, Leamington Spa and Stratford-upon-Avon.

Birmingham City Council produces an excellent cycling and walking map of the area. You can pick one up from any local library, tourist information office, leisure centre or bike shop.

Road and cycle path maintenance in the area leaves much to be desired, and it is not uncommon for trees and parked cars to obstruct rights of way. The standard of driving is similar to other cities, so exercise extreme caution on main roads and at night. The canal network can be accessed in the city centre from the Broad Street / Gas Street area, or at most road crossings elsewhere. The towpath is generally well-maintained to within a few miles of the city, and after that tends to be packed earth with plenty of mud and embedded bricks.

The Sustrans National Cycle Network Route 5 (Oxford to Derby) passes through Birmingham from the south to the north-west. This is known as the Rea Valley Route; there is also the Cole Valley Route to the east.

Bicyle hire:

• On Your Bike, 33-40 Bradford Street, +44 121 666 6933, (birmingham@onyourbike.com, fax +44 121 666 6388), [4]. M W F Sa 10AM-6PM, Th 10AM-7PM, Tu Su closed.

By bus

All areas of Birmingham are well-served by bus routes, operated almost exclusively by Travel West Midlands (TWM) with some competition from smaller providers such as Pete's Travel and the Birmingham Coach Company.

There is no central bus station for local services; buses depart instead from various locations in the city centre (principally Bull Street, Colmore Row, Corporation Street and Stephenson Street). Bus stop maps are available from libraries, tourist information offices and the Centro and TWM shops at New Street Station.

Route maps and timetables are available from the outlets mentioned above, and there are extensive online versions on the TWM and Centro websites. If you do not have a lot of time to spare tracking down which buses serve which areas, you can use the Traveline Midlands Journey Planner (+44 870 608 2 608).

Single fares are currently £1.20 on TWM services, and transfers are not allowed. There are no return tickets, but you can buy an all-day pass for £3.50 or an evening (after 6PM) pass for £1.60. TWM buses do not give change, so make sure you have the right amount. Other operators tend to offer slightly lower fares and give change, but run far fewer services. Special tickets such as the Busmaster and Centro Daytripper allow travel across all operators and the Metro (and also local trains - but be aware that night buses tend to be excluded).

Birmingham's bus system is roughly radial, with frequent services in and out of the city centre from most locations. There are also two orbital (#8 and #11) and several linking services. This can be inconvenient, as you may find that you have to go into the city centre and back out again to travel between two places that are relatively close as the crow flies.

By car

Birmingham's city centre is partially pedestrianised and has several unintuitive one-way systems. A car is a viable (if polluting) way of getting around the city and other areas, but a good map is essential.

Birmingham City Council produces a map of city centre car parks (available from tourist information offices) - expect to pay £1-£1.50 per hour in Pay & Display areas and more on street meters. Parking attendants patrol popular areas regularly, so expect a fine if you're late back or a clamp if you're parked illegally.

Car hire is possible both in the city centre and at the airport. Major providers include:

• Avis, St. James House, 17 Horsefair, +44 870 608 6318 or Arrivals Hall, BHX, +44 121 782 6183, [5].
• Budget, Main Terminal, BHX, +44 870 240 2189, [6].
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car, 9-10 Suffolk Street Queensway, +44 121 643 7743 or Terminal Link Building, BHX, +44 121 782 9030 [7].
• Hertz, 7 Suffolk Street Queensway, +44 121 643 5387 or Terminal Building, BHX, +44 870 600 1014 [8].

By foot

Birmingham's central shopping area is partially pedestrianised, and most things to see and do can be reached on foot. To walk from Digbeth to the top of Broad Street (the longest distance likely to be covered on foot) will take around thirty minutes.

By motorcycle

Motorcycles and mopeds are becoming increasingly popular in Birmingham as a way of avoiding rush hour traffic jams, and usually enjoy free parking in city centre car parks.

By taxi

Birmingham has an abundance of taxi ranks all over the city, the best-served being New Street Station. Both hackney carriages and private hire vehicles are easy to find, but you should exercise usual caution and not get into an unmarked car or one you haven't booked.

Friday and Saturday nights are the busiest times due to clubbers going home en masse, and there can be waits of over an hour if you're somewhere busy like Broad Street.

Popular providers include:

• Birmingham Taxi Co-Operative, Unit 1, Zair Works, 111-119 Bishop Street, +44 121 622 6694, [9].
• Castle Cars, 13 Oak Tree Lane, Selly Oak, +44 121 472 2222.
• Elite Radio Cars, Omnibus Garage, Harborne Lane, Selly Oak, +44 121 415 5000.
• Falcon Cars, 211 Monument Road, +44 121 555 6050
• TOA, 100 Vivian Road, Harborne, +44 121 427 8888.

By train

There is an extensive overland rail network serving most of Birmingham and the West Midlands area, operated exclusively by Central Trains.

Route maps and timetables are available from libraries, tourist information offices, railway stations and the Traveline Midlands Journey Planner (+44 870 608 2 608). You can take bicycles, pushchairs and wheelchairs on board without prior reservation, and there is usually a designated carriage.

Fares vary with distance, but you can expect to pay between £2 and £5 for a day return to a local destination. Fare-dodging is rife, and there has been a crackdown recently with ticket barriers at stations and on-board checking. The penalty for not having a valid ticket is a £20 on-the-spot fine (which can be contested in court, but is rarely worth the hassle).

From New Street station, the cross-city line runs between Lichfield Trent Valley in the north and Redditch in the south, stopping notably at Sutton Coldfield (for Sutton Park), Aston (for Aston Hall and Aston University), University (for the University of Birmingham), Bournville (for Cadbury World) and Barnt Green (for Lickey Hills). Local services also run to Hereford (via Worcester and Malvern), Leamington Spa, Northampton (via Birmingham International Airport, Coventry and Rugby), Nuneaton, Shrewsbury (via Wolverhampton), Stafford (via Walsall), Stratford-upon-Avon, Tamworth and Warwick. Additional services to these areas run from Snow Hill and Moor Street stations (they are on the same line), and you may not be able to catch a specific train from New Street.

By tram

Birmingham has a limited metro service running between Snow Hill Station and Wolverhampton, via West Bromwich, Wednesbury and Bilston. Plans are afoot to extend the service out to Five Ways along Broad Street.

The Metro runs from roughly 6:30AM-11:30PM M to Sa, and 8AM-11PM Su and bank holidays. Fares vary with distance, but expect to pay around £2 for a single, £3.50 for a return and £4.50 for a day pass (combined bus / train / Metro passes are also available). Full route, timetable and fare information is listed on the Midland Metro website, and there is additional information on the Centro website.

By water bus

Water buses and taxis operate out of the canal offices in Gas Street Basin (underneath Broad Street) with tours of the area. Obviously, they are limited to the local canals and are significantly slower than other forms of transport.

See

Birmingham doesn't have a reputation for being especially picturesque, but there is a lot of interesting architecture in the city centre that the shops and crowds sometimes obscure. For such a (relatively) large population centre, the countryside (in the form of country parks) is surprisingly close.

Museums and art galleries

For a place with a strong industrial heritage, Birmingham does not have the large range of historical attractions you may expect, however, this is offset by the arts being extremely well-represented.

• Aston Hall, Trinity Road, Aston (train to Aston or Witton or #7 bus), +44 121 327 0062, [10]. Tu-Su and bank holiday M 11:30AM-4PM. Restored Jacobean mansion built between 1618 and 1635, containing period rooms and artwork. Cannon damage from the English Civil War still visible. Aston Hall by Candlelight is a popular Christmas event that takes place every two years where the whole grounds are lit by candles for 17th-century festivities. Free (donations welcome).
• While you're in the area make your way down to 14 Lodge Road, birthplace of Ozzy Osbourne. This is a private house (so please respect the occupants' privacy) but a popular photo-spot for heavy metal fans. Lodge Road is about 1/2 a mile from Aston Hall and runs between Witton Road and Trinity Road. Most crime in Aston occurs after dark so you should be fairly safe during the day. You'll also experience the inspiration behind Black Sabbath's grim early lyrics!
• Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston (off Edgbaston Park Road. Train to University or #61, #62 or #63 bus), +44 121 414 7333 (info@barber.org.uk), [11]. M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. Small gallery with an excellent permanent collection, including many pre-Raphaelites. Good Britain Guide gallery of the year 2004. Free (donations welcome).
• Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Chamberlain Square, +44 121 303 2834 (bmag_enquiries@birmingham.gov.uk), [12]. M-Th Sa 10AM-5PM, F 10:30AM-5PM, Su 12:30PM-5PM. Large museum with some local history, several temporary exhibitions and large permanent collection. Includes the Gas Hall and Waterhall Gallery of Modern Art. Free (donations welcome).
• Cadbury World, Linden Road, Bournville (train to Bournville), +44 845 450 3599 (info line +44 121 451 4180), [13]. Opening times vary enormously but tend to be daily 10AM-4PM in the spring, summer and autumn. Huge chocolate factory south of the city centre. Tour includes the history of chocolate and Cadbury's plus a brief look at some of the factory floor. Some free chocolate, plus relatively cheap mis-shapes in the shop. £12.50 (concessions £9.95, children £9.50. Combined train and entry tickets available)
• IKON Gallery, 1 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace (off Broad Street), +44 121 248 0708, [14]. Tu-Su 11AM-6PM. Small gallery with two or three temporary modern and conceptual art installations. Excellent cafe (see Eat). Free (donations welcome).
• Sarehole Mill, Cole Bank Road, Hall Green (#4, #5 or #6 bus), +44 121 777 6612, [15]. Tu-Su and bank holiday M 11:30AM-4PM. Fully restored water mill, built in 1765. Famously one of the childhood haunts of JRR Tolkien and part of the inspiration for The Shire in The Lord of the Rings. Free (donations welcome).
• Thinktank, Millennium Point, Curzon Street, +44 121 202 2222, [16]. Daily 10AM-5PM (last admission 4PM). Science museum with lots of hands-on activities, vehicles and industrial machines, however it must be noted that the activites all smell of their popularity. IMAX cinema (see Cinema) in the same building. £6.95 (concessions £5, children £4.95. Family and IMAX combination tickets available).

Parks and nature

There are small parks and green spaces all over the city and suburbs, and the countryside is only about thirty minutes away in any direction. The country parks and nature reserves usually contain a wealth of information about local flora, fauna and conservation efforts.

• Birmingham Botanical Gardens & Glasshouses, Westbourne Road, Edgbaston (#21, #22, #23, #29 or #103 bus), +44 121 454 1860 (admin@birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk), [17]. M-Sa 9AM-7PM, Su 10AM-7PM (closes at 5PM or dusk from October to March). Large botanical gardens with a huge range of plants and workshops throughout the year. £6.10 (concessions £3.60, family tickets available)
• Birmingham Nature Centre, Pershore Road (#45 or #47 bus), +44 121 472 7775 (nature.centre@birmingham.gov.uk), [18]. Daily 10AM-5PM from April to October, Sa Su 10AM-4PM November to March. Six-acre centre with lots of animals and birds, including deer, otters, owls and two red pandas. £1.70 (concessions £1.10, children free).
• Cannon Hill Park, Pershore Road (#45 or #47 bus), +44 121 442 4226 (cannon.hill.park@birmingham.gov.uk), [19]. Well-maintained park with flowerbeds, tennis, bowling and water features. Contains tea rooms and the Midlands Arts Centre. Free.
• Lickey Hills Country Park, Rednal (train to Barnt Green or #62 bus), +44 121 447 7106 (lickey.hills@birmingham.gov.uk), [20]. Popular park (heathland, coniferous forest and deciduous forest) covering over 200 hectares with a visitor centre, pub and golf course. Best visited in the spring (for bluebells) or autumn (for bilberries and turning leaves). Free.
• National Sea Life Centre, Brindleyplace, +44 121 643 6777 (24 hour information line +44 121 633 4700), [21]. Daily 10AM-6PM (last admission 4PM M-F, 5PM Sa Su). Large sea life centre with a multitude of aquatic animals, including piranhas, turtles, sea horses, rays and otters. Feeding demonstrations throughout the day. £9.95 (concessions £6.95, family tickets available).
• Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield (train to Sutton Coldfield or #66A bus), +44 121 355 6370 (sutton.park.visitors.centre@birmingham.gov.uk), [22]. Enormous (over 900 hectare) park including heathland, wetland, marshes, woodland and lakes. Designated an English Nature National Nature Reserve in 1997. Lots of activities on offer including golf, angling, cycling and bird watching. Free.
• Woodgate Valley Country Park, Bartley Green (#23 or #103 bus), +44 121 421 7575 (woodgate.valley.country.park@birmingham.gov.uk), [23]. 450-acre meadow, hedgerow and woodland park containing Woodgate Valley Urban Farm and Hole Farm Trekking Centre. Best visited in spring and summer when there are hundred of wild flowers and butterflies. Free.

Religious buildings

Birmingham's population is very diverse, and communities from just about any country in the world can be found somewhere. This is turn has led to numerous centres for all the world's major religions.

• Birmingham Buddhist Centre, 11 Park Road, Moseley (#1, #35 or #50 bus), +44 121 449 5279 (info@birminghambuddhistcentre.org.uk), [24] - a centre run by the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order.
• Birmingham Central Mosque, 180 Belgrave Middleway, Highgate (#35 bus), +44 121 440 5355, [25]. Daily noon-30 minutes after Isha (exact time of Isha varies with the seasons). Built in 1969, Birmingham was the second purpose-built mosque in the UK (the first was Woking). The working capacity is 2500, though this is expanded during special events such as Eid. Tour groups should book at least two weeks in advance.
• Birmingham Central Synagogue, 133 Pershore Road, +44 121 440 4044 (office@centralshul.com), [26]. M Th from 7:15AM, Tu W F from 7:30AM, Sa from 9:30AM, Su from 8:30AM. Large modern orthodox synagogue, popular with students.
• Birmingham Peace Pagoda, Osler Street, Ladywood. Tel:+44 121 455-0650. [27] - the pagoda is designed as symbol of peace, compassion and the noble exemplary qualities of the Buddha.
• Ramgarhia Sikh Temple, Graham Street, +44 121 235 5435.
• St Chad's Cathedral, St Chad's Queensway, +44 121 236 2251 [28]. M-F 8AM-5PM, Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 9AM-1PM. Catholic cathedral built in 1841 and designated a Minor Basilica in 1941. Contains the Shrine of St. Chad.
• St Philip's Cathedral, Colmore Row, +44 121 262 1840 (enquiries@birminghamcathedral.com), [29]. M-F 7:30AM-6:30PM (5PM from late July to early September), Sa Su 8:30AM-5PM. Church of England cathedral, built between 1709 and 1715 and the centre of the Diocese of Birmingham. Grade 1 listed building, designed in the Baroque style by Thomas Archer. Conatins four spectacular pre-Raphaelite stained glass windows.
• Shree Geeta Bhawan, 107-117 Heathfield Road, Lozells (#46 bus), +44 121 523 7797, [30]. M-Sa 9AM-1PM and 5PM-8PM (Tu 9PM), Su 9AM-8PM. Hindu temple, opened in 1967.

Do

Cinema

Birmingham's cinemas are quite reasonably priced due to stiff competition for the student market. Don't expect a huge range of "alternative" films, as even the independent places screen mainstream blockbusters to keep their revenues up.

• The Electric Cinema, 47-49 Station Street, +44 121 643 7879 (info@theelectric.co.uk), [31]. Daily, doors open 30 minutes before the film starts. The oldest still-operating cinema building in the UK (opening in 1909), famous for its Art Deco interiors, home baking and cocktail bar. The cinema now features sofa seating, waiter service and the best in intelligent mainstream and independent films. £6 (concessions £4, sofa seat £10).
• Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), Cannon Hill Park, Edgbaston/Moseley (#1, #45 or #47 bus), +44 121 440 3838 (info@macarts.co.uk), [32]. M-Sa 9AM-11PM (Su 10:30PM). A large centre showing arty mainstream and independent films, usually two or three a day. Topical films usually have one showing with a discussion afterwards. £4.50 (£3.50 before 6:30PM, concessions £1 less on all tickets, some special showings for children).
• IMAX, Millennium Point, Curzon Street, +44 121 202 2222, (findout@imax.ac), [33]. Daily 10AM-5PM. Part of the Thinktank science museum. 2D and 3D films shown on an enormous (five storey) screen. Some mainstream films, mainly documentaries. £6.50 (concessions £5, children under 16 £4.50, family and joint Thinktank tickets available).
• AMC, 220 Ladywood Middleway, Broadway Plaza, +44 870 755 5657, [34]. Daily 10AM-1AM. A large modern multiplex showing recent mainstream films. £5 (£3.50 concessions and before 6:30PM).
• Cineworld, 181 Broad Street, +44 871 200 2000, [35]. Daily 10AM-1AM. A large modern multiplex showing recent mainstream films. £5.50 (£3.50 concessions and before 6:30PM, family tickets available).
• Odeon, New Street, +44 871 224 4007, [36]. Multiplex showing mainstream films, near to Bullring shopping centre and New Street station. You can't really call it much of a multiplex. It is a very old building with very few screens and the seats are so close together your legs hurt after the advertisements! £5.20 (£4 before 5PM M-F).

Events

Birmingham hosts some of the largest events, exhibitions and conferences in the country, which may or may not be of interest to a visitor.

• National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Marston Green (train to Birmingham International or #900 bus), +44 870 909 4133 (cs.boxoffice@necgroup.co.uk), [37]. A huge exhibition centre, staging more than 180 exhibitions each year in 21 halls totalling 200,000 square metres. Free-£40 (price varies with event).
• National Indoor Arena (NIA), King Edwards Road, +44 870 909 4133 (cs.boxoffice@necgroup.co.uk), [38]. A fairly large, modern arena hosting many national and international sporting and entertainment events. £6-£50 (price varies with event and seating).
• NEC Arena, Marston Green (located within the NEC. Train to Birmingham International or #900 bus), +44 870 909 4133 (cs.boxoffice@necgroup.co.uk), [39]. A 12,000-seat arena hosting national and international sporting and entertainment events. £6-£50 (price varies with event and seating).
• International Convention Centre (ICC), Broad Street, +44 121 200 2000 (info@theicc.co.uk), [40]. A modern convention centre sharing a building with Symphony Hall.

Lap dancing

Birmingham has seen a rapid proliferation of lap dancing clubs in recent years (jazz fans were left fuming when the legendary Ronnie Scott's was closed to make way for one), to the extent that they are now touted as a typical night out for businesspeople. Around a dozen clubs are scattered over the city centre, including Legs Eleven (a favourite haunt of Premiership football players) and two Spearmint Rhinos.

Live music

The live music scene in Birmingham is vibrant and varied, and something can be experienced just about any night of the week. Libraries, tourist information offices and music-related bars and shops will stock copies of The Fly, a free fortnightly publication with exhaustive listings of every music event going on in the city and surrounding area.

• Barfly, 78 High Street, Digbeth, +44 121 633 8311 (ticket line +44 870 907 0999, carlo@barflyclub.com), [41]. Alternative indie and rock music, usually every day. £6-£15 (price varies with band fame).
• Carling Academy, 52-54 Dale End, +44 121 262 3000 (info line +44 905 020 3999, mail@birmingham-academy.co.uk), [42]. Large club playing alternative rock and indie, usually every day. Next door is the Bar Academy, a pre-club bar and gig venue in its own right. Gig tickets usually allow entry to the club night going on afterwards. £6-£20 (price varies with band fame).
• CBSO Centre, Berkley Street (off Broad Street), +44 121 616 6500 (ticket hotline +44 121 780 3333, information@cbso.co.uk), [43]. Modern rehearsal facilities for the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO). Concerts usually once a week, including Centre Stage intimate chamber music. £5-£12.
• Flapper and Firkin, Cambrian Wharf, Kingston Row (near the National Indoor Arena), +44 121 236 2421, [44]. M-Th noon-11PM, F Sa noon-midnight, Su noon-10:30PM. Friendly pub, popular with students. Live music Th-Sa from 8:30PM, usually underground rock, punk and indie. £4 (£3 with promotional flyer).
• The Jug of Ale, 43 Alcester Road, Moseley (#1, #35 or #50 bus), +44 121 449 1082, [45]. Decent pub with a fairly young crowd. Live music usually W F Sa, rock and indie. £3-£6.
• Symphony Hall, Broad Street, +44 121 200 2000 (box office +44 121 780 3333, symphonyhall@necgroup.co.uk), [46]. Internationally renowned concert venue with two to four classical concerts per week. Also offers Sounds Interesting free pre-concert talks. £7.50-£40 (price varies with seating. Some £5 tickets available 1 month in advance. Student standbys £3.50 from 10AM / 1PM on performance day)

Theatre

In addition to the main venues mentioned below, there are several small theatres scattered around the city and the suburbs; pick up a What's On guide from a library or tourist information office for full listings.

• Alexandra Theatre, Station Street, +44 870 607 7533, [47]. Edwardian theatre showing pre- and post-West End plays and musicals. £6-£50 (price varies with seating).
• Birmingham Hippodrome, Hurst Street, +44 121 870 730 1234 (tickets@birminghamhippodrome.com), [48]. Large, recently refurbished theatre showing varied performing arts. Home of the Patrick Centre for the Performing Arts and the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Preferred venue for the Welsh National Opera. £6-£50 (price varies with seating. Concessions £3-£5 off or £10 student standby 24 hours in advance. 3%-6% transaction fee if not paying by cash.).
• Crescent Theatre, 20 Sheepcote Street (off Broad Street), +44 121 643 5858, [49]. Box office M-F 4:30PM-7PM, Sa noon-7PM. Independent local theatre company performing both old and modern plays. £7-£12 (concessions £1-£1.50 off).
• Midlands Arts Centre (MAC). See Cinema. £5-£20.
• Old Rep Theatre, Station Street, +44 121 303 2323 (boxoffice@birmingham.gov.uk), [50]. Home of the Birmingham Stage Company, puts on both professional and amateur productions. £5-£15.
• Repertory Theatre, Centenary Square, Broad Street, +44 121 236 4455 (stage.door@birmingham-rep.co.uk), [51]. Well-established theatre putting on classical and modern plays. Supports new work through The Door. £5-£15.

Learn

There are fifteen further education colleges dotted around the city, and community adult education centres in most suburbs. Most offer evening classes in a variety of academic and vocational subjects. There are also regular workshops at places such as the Midlands Arts Centre (see Cinema) and the Country Parks (see Parks and nature).

• Brasshouse Language Centre, 50 Sheepcote Street (off Broad Street), +44 121 303 0114, [52]. M-F 9:15AM-8:30PM, Sa 9:15AM-1PM (holidays M-F 9:15AM-4PM). Specialist language centre offering courses in over 30 languages, from beginners up to degree level. Also offers TEFL, residential courses and distance learning.

Universities

Birmingham is home to three universities, who enjoy a mostly-friendly rivalry (mainly fought out in the student press). Aston and Birmingham are campus institutions, with UCE spread out over several buildings around the city.

• University of Aston, Aston, +44 121 204 3000, [53]. Formerly the Birmingham College of Advanced Technology, became a university in 1966. Offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in many subjects, but specialises in business and engineering.
• University of Birmingham, Edgbaston (train to University or #21, #46, #61, #62 or #63 bus), +44 121 414 3344, [54]. Large redbrick university, founded in 1900 and a member of the Russell Group of research-driven institutions. Offers a huge range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses. The picturesque campus is worth a visit - it contains the Barber Institure of Fine Arts, Lapworth Museum of Geology, Winterbourne Botanic Gardens and several art installations.
• University of Central England (UCE), main campus at Perry Barr (train to Perry Barr or #28A bus), +44 121 331 5000, [55]. Formed from several colleges in the 1970's and adopted the University title in 1992. Offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses, specialising mainly in arts (BIAD at Gosta Green, Aston) and vocational subjects.

Work

The vast number of shops, bars and restaurants in the city centre means that there is rarely a shortage of menial job vacancies. You will often see positions for minimum wage service or retail positions advertised in windows. There are also a lot of temping agencies able to find temporary office, driving and other jobs for travellers packing suits and CVs.

• Birmingham Broad Street Jobcentre, Centennial House, 100 Broad Street, +44 121 480 3800.
• Birmingham City Jobcentre Plus, 65-77 Summer Row, Ladywood, +44 121 237 8300.

Buy

During the last few years Birmingham has developed enormously as a regional shopping centre, with the old Bull Ring complex (once a notorious architectural eyesore) being demolished to make way for a large shopping centre that includes Selfridges. There are also a number of lesser known shopping centres located near to the Bull Ring complex such as the Pavillions Shopping Centre, The Mailbox and the Pallisades (The Mall), which is located directly above New Street Station. The principal shopping streets are New Street, High Street and Corporation Street. All include the usual assortment of high street retailers and discount outlets.

The Jewellery Quarter, to the north of the city centre, specialises in jewellery and contains many small workshops and retailers.

Some of the more useful, unusual or independent shops include:

• Bull Ring Markets, The Bull Ring, +44 121 303 0300 (marketstalls@birmingham.gov.uk), [56]. Indoor market M-Sa 9AM-5:30PM, Rag market Tu Th-Sa 9AM-5PM, Open market Tu-Sa 9AM-5PM. The markets comprise the original trading centre that Birmingham was built upon. There are hundreds of stalls, and you'll be able to get everything from food to underwear to gaffa tape relatively cheaply.
• Nostalgia & Comics, 14-16 Smallbrook Queensway, +44 121 643 0143. M-W 9:30AM-5:30PM, Th-Sa 9AM-6PM, Su noon-4PM. Comics, graphic novels, manga and the usual alternative oddities. Ideal if you want to catch up on your favourite series while on the road.
• The Oasis Market, 112-114 Corporation Street, +44 121 233 4488, [57]. M-Sa 10AM-5PM. A large and intertwining collection of several small retailers over four floors, specialising in goth and alternative clothing and accessories.
• Shared Earth, 87 New Street, +44 121 633 0151, [58]. M-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 11AM-4PM. A fair trade company supplying hand-crafted stationery (brilliant for travel journals), clothing and oddities.

Eat

Birmingham is considered the balti capital of England, though Wikitravellers who've been to Pakistan may comment that this isn't saying much. The much-promoted "balti triangle" covers around 50 restaurants on Ladypool Road and Stratford Road in Sparkbrook, about 2 miles south of the city centre. Travel West Midlands has a deal with eight of the larger eateries whereby you can get a 15% discount for travelling by bus - pick up a Balti Triangle by Bus leaflet for full details. A taxi to the area will take around 10 minutes and cost £5. Although the area looks a bit run-down, there is little crime as the abundance of restaurants ensure that the streets are always busy.

Budget

Birmingham has a large student population, and the usual cottage industries have sprung up in campus areas to cater for their lack of cash. There are around a dozen cheap eateries in the Selly Oak area of Bristol Road, mainly Indian but also Chinese, Italian and English.

The usual fast food chains, kebab shops and burger vans are also scattered around the city and surrounding areas.

• Cafe One, Auchinleck Square, Five Ways (off Broad Street), +44 121 245 0000, [59]. Daily 9AM-4PM. Fairtrade cafe with some organic food and regular live music events. £2-£8 (lunchtime buffet £3.95).
• Canalside Cafe, 35 Worcester Bar, Gas Street, +44 121 248 7979. Daily 9AM-4PM. Fairly small cafe with a good range of organic and vegetarian foods. Excellent in the summer, as it's (unsurprisingly) right on the canalside. £3-£12.
• Edwardian Tea Rooms, Chamberlain Square (inside Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery), +44 121 303 2834. M-Th Sa 10AM-5PM, F 10:30AM-5PM, Su 12:30PM-5PM. Authentic Edwardian cafe in the heart of the museum. The food is a lot better than the price suggests. £3-£12.
• Mr Egg, 22 Hurst Street, +44 121 622 4344. M-Th 8AM-6PM, F Sa 8AM-4AM. Dozens of low-priced dishes, all including egg! Popular with the student and after-club crowds. £1-£5.

Mid-range

The mid-range chain eateries are much the same as the ones you'd find in any British city, and you'll rarely be more than a few hundred yards away from one.

• Big Wok, 5 Wrottesley Street, +44 121 666 6800 (info@bigwok.co.uk), [60]. Daily noon-11:30PM. All-you-can-eat fixed price Chinese buffet restaurant. Expensive drinks. Very popular with students and locals. Lunch £5, dinner (after 5PM) £9.
• Cafe IKON, 1 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, +44 121 248 3226, [61]. M noon-11PM, Tu-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su 11AM-6PM. Modern cafe attached to the art gallery with efficient and friendly staff. Excellent muffins. £6-£20.
• Cafe Soya, Unit 2, Upper Dean Street, +44 121 622 3888. Popular Chinese and Vietnamese place - not exclusively vegetarian, despite the name. £6-£20.
• Celebrity Balti Restaurant, 44 Broad Street (above the Brasshouse pub), +44 121 643 8969. Decent Indian dishes. £12-£35.
• Chung Ying Garden, 17 Thorp Street (off Hurst Street), +44 121 666 6622 (info@chungying.co.uk), [62]. Large, well-known Cantonese place. Also offers private rooms for groups, karaoke and disco. £10-£40.
• Hudson's, 122-124 Colmore Row, +44 121 236 9009 (info@hudsonsfood.com), [63]. Independent cafe with tailcoated waiters, also a luxury gourmet food retailer. Bookcrossing venue. £5-£20.
• Pasta Di Piazza, 11 Brook Street, St. Paul's Square, +44 121 236 5858, [64]. Daily noon-midnight. Upmarket Italian place, can be a bit crowded. £12-£30.
• Thai Edge, 7 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, +44 121 643 3993 (birmingham@thaiedge.co.uk), [65]. Daily noon-2:30PM and 5:30PM-11PM. Contemporary Oriental surroundings. Wide range of Thai dishes. £12-£40.
• The Green Room, Arcadian Centre, Hurst Street, +44 121 605 4343 (info@greenroomcafebar.co.uk), [66]. M-W 11AM-11PM, Th 11AM-midnight, F Sa 11AM-2AM, Su noon-12:30AM. Varied contemporary menu, chilled-out atmosphere. Popular with the theatre crowd. £10-£30.
• V2, 73-75 Pershore Street, +44 121 666 6683. Home-style Chinese cooking, popular with the local Chinese community. Clean and bright inside with trendy decor.

Splurge

Birmingham has quite a few upmarket places, mainly due to the number of high-rolling businesspeople that drift in for conferences and other dealings.

• Aria Restaurant, 2 Bridge Street (In Hyatt lobby), +44 121 643 1234, [67]. Daily 6:30AM-10:30PM. 3-course pre-concert table d'hôte menu.
• Metro Bar & Grill, 73 Cornwall Street, +44 121 200 1911, [68]. Seasonal seafood, pasta, salads and cocktails. £15-£40.
• Opus Restaurant, 54 Cornwall Street, +44 121 200 2323 (restaurant@opusrestaurant.co.uk), [69]. Non-smoking shellfish bar. £15-£40.
• The Jam House, 1 St. Paul's Square, +44 121 200 3030 (info@thejamhouse.com), [70]. Varied menu and live music most nights. £20-£50.

Vegetarian & Vegan

Considering its size, Birmingham does not have a wide range of vegetarian-specific places to eat. All the eateries mentioned above will have vegetarian options, but the Indian and Chinese places tend to have better variety.

• Jyoti, 569-571 Stratford Road, Sparkhill (part of the balti triangle, 4 miles south of the city. #5 or #6 bus), +44 121 766 7199. Tu-F 6PM-9:15PM (last orders), Th F noon-2:30PM, Sa Su 1PM-9:15PM (last orders), closed M. Excellent Indian food, but relatively small portions. Extremely popular, so book ahead. £5-£20.
• Rooty Frooty, The Custard Factory, Digbeth, +44 121 224 8458. Trendy organic food and recycled packaging. Unbelievable range of juices, smoothies and hot drinks. £5-£20.
• Sibila's, Canal Square, Browning Street (part of the Body & Being building, off Sheepcote Street), +44 121 456 7634, [71]. Su-M 11AM-5PM, Tu-Th 11AM-9PM (last orders 8:30PM), F Sa 11AM-10PM (last orders 9PM). Eclectic dishes from around the world prepared with organic ingredients. Excellent vegan and gluten free range, good wines and beers. £7-£25.
• The Warehouse Cafe, 54 Allison Street, Digbeth, +44 121 633 0261. Tu-F noon-12:30PM, Sa noon-3PM, F Sa 6PM-9PM. Wholesome organic vegetarian and vegan fare. Closely linked with Friends of the Earth. £5-£20.

Self-catering

The city and suburbs have the usual assortment of supermarkets, newsagents and corner shops. The city centre is especially well-served, with three Tesco, two Sainsbury's and one Somerfield outlets.

A great place to pick up cheap food (including fresh fruit and veg) is the Bull Ring Market (see Buy).

• Day In, The Arcadian Centre, +44 121 622 6182. Chinese supermarket with a wide range of Asian foods.
• One Earth Shop, 54 Allinson Street, Digbeth, +44 121 632 6909. M-Sa 10AM-5PM. Speciality vegan wholefoods and other ethical essentials.

Drink

General

Dress code is rather common in Birmingham, so be careful to check out each club's policy. Many clubs refuse to admit large groups of males in case of trouble, so go individually or in small groups. The usual excuse that door-staff give is that one or other of the party is wearing the wrong type of shoes/coat/trousers etc.

The general rule of thumb is no effort, no entry. This usually means shoes, not trainers, and a shirt, not a T-shirt. At the same time being dressed like that can be a hindrance, if you go to one of the cooler bars. It's best to check with someone who's been to that particular bar before. There are a number of areas in the city centre, which are defined below, but other areas to look for a night out are Moseley, Harbourne and Selly Oak.

St. Paul's Square

Many of the more up-market bars and restaurants are located on St. Paul's Square in the Jewellery Quarter. This is also home to Jools Holland's Jam House which is Birmingham's premier jazz club.

Broad Street

Broad Street, the No 1 party street of Birmingham, has a large range of clubs, bars and pubs. This is a good location for a decent English Friday night. However, at the same time it is one of the more rowdy areas, and if trouble happens it will normally be on this road. The chances of this affecting you are slim. Just of to the side of this road is Brindleyplace, a slightly better area of bars, clubs and restaurants. Recommended bars are:-

Revolution - Chain vodka bar. A cut above the normal broad street crowd, though it does get crowded. Great range of Vodka's.

The Works - Big 3 room club, with a variety of music. Great for kids. Over 23's will feel ancient in here.

The Pitcher and Piano - Canal side bar with a decent range of beers. Perfect for a nice lunch time drink in the summer months, sitting outside by the canal.

The Arcadian

In the middle of Birmingham's rather small Chinatown, this is an open at the centre shopping arcade which is mostly used by Chinese super markets and restaurants. Right in the middle though, its all bars. It tends to be a bit quieter and less rowdy that broad street and has some of the better clubs in the city. The dress code around here is extremely strict in regard to logos on clothes - they are a definite no! Most of the bars are interchangeable, but recommended are:-

Sobar - Supposedly a noodle bar, as evidence by a small noodle based menu. Really this is just a pretty decent bar. It stocks the standard beers and drinks as well as a number of rarer Asian beers. Has a number of extremely comfortable sofas.

Bamboo - One of the best, but also one of the most pretentious clubs in Birmingham. Its not cheap but is still the place to be seen. The dress code here is very hard to define - they want "cool".

Gay

Birmingham has a visible gay scene centered around Hurst Street. Every Spring Bank Holiday this area, often referred to by locals as the Gay Village, hosts Britain's biggest free gay-pride festival while its bars and clubs attract people from across the Midlands all year round. Hurst Street is well policed and homophobic attacks are rare, though the local Christians may try to 'save your soul'.

Birmingham's gay bars are also popular with groups of heterosexual women who want to enjoy a night out without receiving unwanted male attention.

Irish

Birmingham has a large Irish community and many Irish pubs. Most of the city centre ones are spread along Digbeth High Street beginning with The Royal George near the Bullring and finishing with The Rainbow near Camp Hill.

Other

• Those looking for a cheap student night could do worse than check out Snobs which plays a mix of indie music.
• Every two weeks an indie night called Panic! is held at the Sanctuary in Dibgeth
• Every two weeks an indie night called Resurrection is held at Subway City
• For a more eclectic mix of music and people take a look at the Medicine Bar in the Custard Factory just off the A34 in Digbeth - it's the big blue building!
• Just around the corner is a club called Air, host to nationally recognised nights such as Godskitchen.

Pubs

There are pubs and then there are pubs. If you are looking for the average drink, virtually any pub will do. If you are a real ale aficionado, there are several nice pubs to visit:

• City Centre
  • Bull, 1 Price Street, B5 6JU. Phone: 0121 333 6757. Situated in the Gun quarter, quiet and comfortable.
  • Figure of Eight, 236 Broad Street, B1 2HG. Phone: 0121 633 09 17. Large city centre pub belonging to the Wetherspoon chain.
  • Old Fox, 54 Hurst Street, B5 4TD. Phone: 0121 622 5080.
  • Old Joint Stock, 4 Temple Row West, B2 5NY. Phone: 0121 200 1892. Superbly decorated pub in a former bank, Grade II listed. Multi-award winning establishment.
  • Old Royal, 53 Church Street, B3 2DP. Phone: 0121 200 3841. Single bar with large-screen TV. The pub is popular with office workers.
  • Wetherspoon's, Unit 31, Paradise Place, B3 3HJ. Phone: 0121 214 8970. Close to the International Convention Centre, the central library, art gallery and museum.

• Digbeth
  • Anchor, 308 Bradford Street, B5 6ET. Phone: 0121 622 4516. Victorian pub near Digbeth Coach Station. Grade II listed.
  • Woodman, 106 Albert Street, B5 9LS. Phone: 0121 643 1959. Grade II listed. Opposite the Thinktank at the Millenium Point.

• Harborne
  • Bell Inn, 11 Old Church Road, B17 0BB. Phone: 0121-427 0931. Next to St Peter's Church, this cosy and quiet pub gets busy because of its attraction.

Sleep

Budget

• There are many cheap hotels on the Hagley Road offering accommodation from around £20 per night (2006 prices). Hagley Road starts at Five Ways traffic island and heads northwest towards Wolverhampton. The hotels near the city centre are quite expensive, the cheaper ones start about two miles out. Note that Hagley Road is one of the roads frequented by prostitutes, which can make it a bit unpleasant.

• Bilberry Hill Residential Centre is ideal for groups looking for accommodation in the scenic Lickey Hills, but with easy access to Birmingham City Centre.[72]

Mid-range

• Close to the university: Awentsbury Hotel, 15 Serpentine Road,Selly Park, offers mid-range B&B in a quiet environment within 10 minutes walk from the university.
• Town centre: Travelodge Birmingham Central. Affordable hotel in the very heart of the city.

Splurge

• Town centre: Hyatt Regency Birmingham, 2 Bridge Street, B1 2JZ. Phone: 0121 643 1234
• Town centre: Crowne Plaza Birmingham, Holliday Street, B1 1HH. Phone: 020 79 37 93
• Town centre: Birmingham Marriott Hotel, 12 Hagley Rd, B16 8SJ. Phone: 0870 400 7280

Contact

Telephone

The national dialling code for the city is 0121, followed by a three digit area code, followed by a four digit number. A fully specified Birmingham number will be in the format 0121 000 0000. The minimum requirement is 000 0000 within the national dialling code area.

BT payphones are dotted aroud the city, and most will take both cash and credit/debit cards. International calls are by no means cheap. There are no telephone centres, so if you're going to be making lots of calls home a pre-paid phone card may be a good option.

All GSM mobile networks have excellent coverage in all areas of the city.

Internet

Most public libraries provide free internet access, though the connection can be slow and you may have to queue for a terminal.

It is also possible to get online from some BT payphones in the city centre (look for the ones with light blue broadband signs on them).

• Dot Comm Cafe, Broad Street, +44 121 643 6999. M-Sa 10AM-2:30AM, Su 10AM-4PM. Noisy cafe surrounded by clubs. £2 (free access with food costing £4 or more).
• Truly Everything, The Pavillions, 38 High Street, +44 121 632 6156, [73]. Standard internet lounge.

Stay safe

In general, Birmingham is a very safe city. Certain suburbs (see below) have had their share of gun crime problems, but these are extremely unlikely to affect you unless you make yourself part of the larger drug gang problem. Avoid any offers of cheap drugs, you'll probably be lured into a secluded place and robbed. The city centre is well-policed - the only trouble you might witness is a small scuffle on the Broad Street nightlife quarter as the nightclubs turn out in the early hours of the morning.

Also take care at either end of Broad Street where the traffic-flow speeds up and radical Muslim youths in cars throw missiles at drunken revellers. Immodestly dressed women can also expect to receive sexist verbal abuse.

As usual, common sense will keep you safe - avoid walking alone in deserted or poorly-lit areas, especially at night, keep your wits about you at cash machines and do not get into unmarked taxis. The only higher crime-rate areas that tourists might want to visit are Aston and Sparkbrook, even these are fairly safe during daylight. Canal towpaths at night, if relatively near a road-access point, can also be hazardous.

Every Friday and Saturday night unofficial motor-races take place around the city centre ring-road. Although it's unlikely that you should want to participate in this illegal activity you should be aware of the danger that it presents to other road users.

Birmingham, like many large cities, has relatively high incidences of STIs compared to the rest of the UK. Having unprotected sex is asking for trouble.

As with the rest of the UK, in any emergency call 999 or 112 (from a land-line if you can) and ask for Ambulance, Fire or Police when connected.

• City Hospital (A&E), Dudley Road (#80, #82 or #87 bus), +44 121 554 3801. Daily 24 hours.
• Steelhouse Lane Police Station, Steelhouse Lane, +44 845 113 5000 (central-birmingham@west-midlands.police.uk). Daily 24 hours.
• Selly Oak Hospital (A&E), Raddlebarn Road, Selly Oak (train to Selly Oak or #61, #62 or #63 bus), +44 121 627 1627. Daily 24 hours.

Cope

Get out

By train

Both Chiltern Railways and Silverlink run relatively cheap (£15) hourly services between Birmingham and London.

By bus

Both Megabus and National Express (see Get in for contact details) run several services an hour to London, and competition has lowered the cheapest fares to £1 or less. Local buses run as far afield as Coventry and Wolverhampton.

By car

The M5 will take you to the south-west, either the M42 then M40 or the M6 then M1 will take you to London and the south-east. In the other direction the M1 will take you to Leeds and the north-east. The M6 will also take you towards the north-west, Manchester and Scotland, or, via the M54, to north Wales.

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