Birmingham is one of the UK’s most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities, blending history and contemporary culture in a busy, diverse and multicultural mix. If you’re planning to visit the city soon for a business trip, read on to find out how to make the most of your time in the city.
Getting from the airport to the city centre
Birmingham International Airport is very well connected to the main city centre – the easiest way to get into the city is by train. With trains running regularly from within the airport complex to Birmingham New Street, you can expect to be in the main city centre within 15 minutes or less. If you’re visiting the National Exhibition Centre, this is connected directly to the airport and is just a short walk away within the centre complex. The Birmingham Business Park is also located a short three miles away from the airport, and is best reached by car or taxi.
If you’re heading into the city, there are ticket offices to purchase fares, or you can also buy a ticket using the automated machines available. From Birmingham New Street, you can catch connections to other parts of the city easily.
As well as the train, regular buses and shuttle buses also operate to and from the airport, and some hotels have dedicated shuttle buses for guests. If you prefer a taxi, these are readily available outside the airport, and you can also organise your own car hire from here too.
Getting around Birmingham
Birmingham is one of the UK’s biggest cities, and is well covered by a public transport system including buses and trains. There are eight main train lines that run across the city, which are ideal for getting to the main attractions and areas across Birmingham, including the University, shopping areas, and entertainment. Taxis are also widespread – you’ll be able to find taxis from the main train stations including Birmingham New Street and Birmingham Moor Street, as well as from larger venues such as the National Exhibition Centre or any of the arenas.
For visitors to Colmore Business District, located on Colmore Row, both Birmingham New Street and Birmingham Snow Hill stations are within a few minutes’ walking distance. With the area located just off the main road, it is also easily accessible by car.
Aside from public transport, driving around the city is very easy – you can find car hires almost anywhere you go. There are plenty of paid car parks around the busiest areas of Birmingham, so finding a nearby parking spot is not too difficult. Pay attention to street signs indicating parking restrictions though – you could end up with a fine or even get clamped if you’re parked incorrectly!
Evening entertainment
Colmore Business District has a fantastic array of bars, restaurants and cafes throughout the area, making finding somewhere to relax at the end of the day straightforward. Head to the Old Joint Stock Pub & Theatrefor a round of drinks or live entertainment, or if you prefer fine dining, the Michelin starred Purnell’s is located around the corner from Snow Hill station. You’ll also find a lot of cafés, both independent and well known chains, offering an ideal spot for daytime refreshment whenever you need it.
Outside of Colmore, Birmingham is a vibrant city with a lot going on all through the year, so you’ll always find something enjoyable in the evening. The city has two main arenas – the Barclaycard Arena and Genting Arena – which host a wealth of live events all year round, including major performances by national and international pop stars, comedians, as well as other performers.
The city also has a fantastic heritage of theatre and live dance performances, with a number of great venues to catch a live performance, including the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, New Alexander Theatre and Birmingham Hippodrome.You’ll find some great national touring performances on here, as well as regular contemporary events performed by the city’s own varied artists. As well as these bigger venues, there are also several smaller independent spaces that show off some of the most inventive contemporary culture in the city.
For the health and fitness conscious
For a fast fitness solution close to the business area, Health du Vin is a local hotel with a fitness centre, spa and treatment room, available to guests and visitors. If you’re staying longer in the city, there is no shortage of options to help you stay fit and healthy in Birmingham – from the fantastic Yoga Sweat studio, which offers a perfect place to get sweaty, flexible and strong with a regular schedule of classes, to over a dozen different large gyms across the city.
Try the Easy Gym (Corporation Street) for a great mix of workouts with a personal trainer and group classes, with affordable day pass options available. There are also several gyms which feature pools and saunas – Bannatyne’s (Priory Queensway) boasts an 18m heated pool, sauna and relaxation lounge, and you can purchase a pass for a swim session or class at any time.
If you’d rather run, the main city centre can often be a difficult place to navigate as it has a lot of road traffic – instead, head out to the canals to enjoy a scenic run alongside the waterfront.
Retail therapy
The perfect place to get your retail therapy fix, Birmingham has some truly brilliant shopping, with something for every budget, taste and need. For big brand fashion, homeware and gadgets, head to the Bullring, located within and around New Street station – and home to hundreds of brands under a single shopping complex – from fashion brands like Selfridges and Forever 21, to technology shops including The Apple Store, Bose and more.
There’s also a dedicated section for restaurants, so you don’t need to worry about getting peckish mid-shop – pick up a burger at Five Guys, enjoy a relaxing meal at Jamie’s Italian or fuel up with a healthy juice from the Fuel Juice Bar. But there’s much more to discover beyond the Bullring too.
The Jewellery Quarter is packed with incredible goldsmiths and artisans showing off some fantastic fine jewellery, while if you head over to the Balti Triangle– located in the south-east of the city, just off Stratford Road, you’ll discover a dedicated mini-city filled with East Asian goodies. From delicious food, fresh fruit and vegetables to ornate home furnishings and illustrious clothing and jewellery.
Fancy something a bit different?
Birmingham is an incredibly diverse city with something new to discover wherever you go – but you’d be surprised at how many hidden gems are there, right under your nose. A short distance away from the hectic pace of Colmore Row is Birmingham Cathedral – an 18th century Baroque masterpiece that provides the perfect haven of calmness and splendour to help you recharge.
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