| Britain's second city with around a million inhabitants, | | | | above the local houses and businesses. If you're |
| Birmingham is located almost centrally in the country. It | | | | looking for nightlife in Birmingham, you should |
| is a diverse city with plenty of things to see and do | | | | concentrate on both Brindleyplace and Broad Street. |
| when you visit. There is a long tradition of brewing | | | | There are plenty of stylish pubs, clubs and restaurants |
| beer in the Birmingham and although most of the | | | | to keep you occupied late into the night. Alternate |
| younger population drink lager, traditional British ales are | | | | years see the Birmingham International Festival taking |
| readily available in the city's many Victorian pubs and | | | | place. This is a Caribbean style carnival with plenty of |
| bars, including the Old Crown in Deritend, which dates | | | | floats and colourful costumes to keep spectators |
| back to around 1450. Birmingham has a massive | | | | interested. Cinema fans won't be disappointed - |
| network of canals - surprisingly, it has even more | | | | Birmingham is home to the UK's oldest working cinema, |
| canals than Venice. These formed the early transport | | | | the Electric Cinema, found on Station Street. The |
| network but nowadays they are mainly used for | | | | Odeon chain started its life in the city during the 1920s. |
| leisure and you can take short breaks on the | | | | The local listing magazines will give you full information |
| waterways to explore almost undiscovered parts of | | | | about the mainstream and independent films that are |
| the city. Brindley Place has recently been the subject | | | | being shown during your stay in the city, although if you |
| of a multi million pound redevelopment. It features | | | | want to watch a current movie in complete comfort |
| many canal-side pubs and restaurants and is centrally | | | | then the Star City complex is well worth a visit. |
| located, so you'll be able to reach it easily from your | | | | Famous Birmingham residents now have their own |
| hotel when you stay in the city. The general area also | | | | Walk of Stars, inspired by Hollywood's Walk of Fame. |
| features large open spaces, theatres and art galleries. | | | | Here you can find stars dedicated to famous |
| The large Central Square often features open air arts | | | | Birmingham residents as diverse as Ozzy Osbourne |
| events and is home to the annual Arts Fest. There is | | | | and the comedian Jasper Carrott. Slade fans won't be |
| plenty to do in Birmingham for children and adults alike. | | | | disappointed either - Noddy Holder has been honoured |
| Whether you are looking for modern spectacles such | | | | with a star as well! Music fans of every taste are able |
| as Sea World or earlier and more esoteric places | | | | to find something in Birmingham. From the massive |
| such as the Botanical gardens. The author J R R | | | | concerts held at the nearby National Exhibition Centre |
| Tolkein was born in the city and it is rumored that a | | | | through to small local venues featuring everything from |
| number of scenes in his classic novel The Lord of the | | | | jazz to heavy metal music and all points inbetween. |
| Rings were inspired by regions such as Moseley bog | | | | Check out a wide range of places to stay in |
| and Perrott's Folly. The folly is a 96 foot tall tower that | | | | Birmingham whether you're looking for a bargain bed |
| was built during the mid 1700's and is clearly visible | | | | and breakfast or a more upmarket Birmingham hotel. |