What should we do in Birmingham?

[Judashascomeintosomemoney]

I started one of these threads about Hong Kong a few weeks ago and it was blimmin brilliant! Got loads of suggestions from those in the know (locals, expats and just people who had been recently) which we followed and had an absolutely brilliant holiday. So thought I’d do the same for Birmingham! I love travelling anywhere and I’m always perfectly excited to go places in the UK that I don’t know, doesn’t have to be international to be interesting!
My DDs (14 and 15) have (conned) politely requested that I purchase tickets to their favourite band’s gig at the Institute, which I have. Birmingham is flipping hours from where we live though. It’s on the Sunday evening so, I’m thinking, to make the most of it, we go Friday and come back Monday. So, where should we visit? PS will be coming by train so won’t have a car with us. Thank you!

The Barber Institute (presumably not the one you’re going to?) is utterly glorious. Short taxi or bus ride out of the city centre.

A concert at Birmingham Contemporary Music Group would be wonderful if you haven’t had your fill of music.

The Mailbox is always worth a visit. BBC Birmingham (can’t remember if you need to book tours or not); Harvey Nichols, lots of casual chain restaurants by the canal. Plus all the things already listed by pps. IKON especially.

Digbeth dining club!!!!

This is fabulous, Black Country Museum sounds like a must. Definitely happy to head ‘out of town’ (arrrgh how far does that mean?) for food. Think we’ll be extending to a week at this rate . Thank you everyone!

We went to Birmingham on the way to somewhere else in the summer and liked it so much we went on the way back too . No point mentioning what we did because it was the same as everyone else- back to backs, canals, library, museum (twice) and also the Pen museum. A bit quirky and you get to make your own pen nib! The kids made us buy them a calligraphy pen and ink which s now gathering dust!

www.staffordshirehoard.org.uk/

Staffordshire Hoard at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.

It's unique - free entry - near the city centre.

The largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found. You will be amazed at the skills and intricate craftsmanship and the story of it's discovery.

For city centre curry, Mowgli in Grand Central has quite a nice veggie street food menu.

There's also Damascena near the cathedral, for lovely mezze dishes - falafel, hoummus etc. Not entirely veggie, but lots of veggie stuff.

Some great ideas here - brindley place is lovely you could spend a whole day there- Stratford upon Avon only 40 mins away and lots to do there too .........

A fay in Stratford is an excellent suggestion - easily reached by train from Moor Street station (which is a bit like walking onto a Harry Potter set!).

Bcm is about 30 mins drive from brum max. As others have said there is a canal trip on site which is brilliant through the dudley canal trust.

If you go to Mowgli have the puri (fried flat bread) it's the best Indian bread but you can't get at most places as is more street food style. I went there for my 30th birthday this year so I could eat a whole heap of it!

I'd also recommend the Dudley canal tours if you head to the Black Country museum it's right next to it too.

if you enjoy the cinema check out what's on at the electric it's the oldest working cinema in the UK, and book a sofa.

The train from New St to Tipton takes under 20 minutes, think they depart half-hourly, and the museum is about a mile walk from the station.

If they like history the back to backs is worth a visit. It is a national trust site and worth booking in advance.

Blimey we’re going to do well to pack this lot in! . I have been to Stratford before though the DDs haven’t but I think Birmingham needs to be its own thing with this much recommended, Mowgli sounding good! One last question, because DH uses an ac for work we get a great discount on Holiday Inn so was planning on the city centre one, is that a good location for the maximum Birmingham experience?

Is that the Holiday Inn on Broad Street? Yes very well positioned

The art gallery and museum is fantastic (though Dippy leaves this week) and has an amazing edwardian tea room.

The BCM is ace, and the authentic chips are a must :-)

Although thinking about it you have a walk 15-20 mins to some of the stations or back-to-backs but easy taxi ride

If you go the black country, get the train from new street to dudley port. Then you can walk or hop on a bus. Go on the saturday though, the sunday trains are every hour.

I think there's a Holiday Inn somewhere near John Bright Street too, so very central.

Yes, corner of Hill Street and Smallbrook Queensway an couple of streets away from New Street Station and Joghn Bright Street.

The lunch menu at Opheem is a bloody bargain. Michelin star standard modern Indian food. The library is a fab place to look around, and the art gallery is great.

Check out the special events here - I went to the open day at the Serbian Orthodox Church a couple of years ago ( not religious, just love churches) and it was brilliant

birminghamheritageweek.co.uk/15-sept/bournville-heritage-open-day/