Birmingham: England’s Second City Has a Bit of Everything

By Jessica Montevago

There’s a reason why “second cities” is trending in travel: fewer crowds, a myriad of experiences, and more affordable price point. Don’t overlook Birmingham, which has undergone a transformation over the past decade and emerged as a dynamic destination with something for everyone.

Explore the lively canal quarter.

Built around the city's historic canals, Street Basin and Brindleyplace are home to dozens of bars and restaurants built up along its waterways. After a bite to eat, visitors can learn more about the impact canals had on the city’s industrial heritage by jumping on a narrowboat for a tour, which are available throughout the year.

Step back in time with the Peaky Blinders.

Following notorious gangsters in post-war Birmingham, Peaky Blinders has proven to be a massive TV hit across the globe. Fans of the show can take a dedicated walking tour, visiting landmarks associated with the real-life gangs who were the inspiration behind the on-screen Shelby family.

Indulge in iconic shopping destinations.

Travelers might need to put aside a whole afternoon to shop at the world’s largest Primark, an affordable fashion retailer. A visit should also be paid to Brummie landmark, the Bullring, a giant mall with history dating back to the Middle Ages. Across town, Mailbox houses British luxury department store chain Harvey Nichols.

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

Take in art and culture.

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is known for housing the largest collection of pre-Raphaelite paintings and drawings in the world. At the Lapworth Museum, families can enjoy everything geology—from rocks and fossils to volcanoes, earthquakes, and even dinosaurs.

Curb your chocolate craving.

Kids and adults alike can satisfy their sweet tooth at Cadbury World, the factory of England’s flagship chocolate brand. Tours include a deep dive into the history of chocolate and Cadbury confectionery, plus interactive stations where kids can try their hand at tempering the sweet stuff.

Kick it at the football stadium.

Villa Park is one of the oldest and most famous stadiums in Europe; it has been home to the Villa since 1897. Sign up for a behind-the-scenes look at the 42,000-capacity stadium or catch a Premier League game.

See the inspiration behind Tolkien’s Shire.

JRR Tolkien’s inspiration for the Shire can be found just four miles south of central Birmingham in the Hall Green area. The Lord of the Rings author grew up here in the 1890s and drew upon his memories from childhood for the creation of the Shire. Sarehole Mill, a 16th-century working watermill, now serves as a museum with a permanent Tolkien exhibition and is the starting point of a guided Tolkien walk.

Brindleyplace

Where to Stay

For a more private and independent experience, serviced apartments are a popular option in Birmingham. Book clients at the Aparthotel Adagio Birmingham City Centre, where a central location near the Bullring and the city's main attractions is hard to beat. The property has 108 comfortable studios and one-bedroom apartments with a fully equipped kitchen, living area, and free WIFI. Other perks include breakfast, a gym, and laundry room.

For light sleepers, No. 8 Waterloo Apartments boast soundproofed rooms—a welcome respite from the city outside. Room offerings include deluxe and premium apartments that can sleep two and two-bedroom apartments that sleep up to four people. Centrally located, it’s easy to walk to Birmingham’s main attractions.

If clients wish to stay outside of the bustling city and retreat to the countryside,

Moor Hall Hotel, part of Best Western’s Premier Collection, is nestled among sunken gardens and woodlands in nearby Sutton Coldfield. The sprawling 83-room property has a range of amenities, including a sauna, spa, fitness center, and indoor swimming pool. The Oak Room offers fine dining while the Country Kitchen offers more casual fare.

Located on the canal side of the city, the AC Hotel Birmingham is in the middle

of all the great waterside bars, bistros, and restaurants. In the morning, though, guests should be sure to try the traditional English breakfast at the hotel’s Lounge Bar. Bright and spacious guestrooms, a fitness center, and coffee shop round out the offerings.

Ideal for business travelers, the Crowne Plaza Birmingham City Centre is just five minutes’ walk from Grand central train station and the International Conference Centre. It’s only a 10-minute train ride for flights into the Birmingham Airport. A dedicated conference floor has 11 meeting rooms for up to 300 delegates. If a break from work allows, guests can enjoy cocktails and dinner overlooking the city at b1 Restaurant.

Whether its apartment-style hotels or an upscale countryside retreat, Birmingham is a vibrant city with a multitude of accommodation style options to meet your clients’ needs.

Book these hotels, and more, using the TSA rate code in the GDS. Non-GDS users can book these hotels using tripXpress.

Banner photo: The cube behind brick buildings alongside a water channel in central Birmingham