What to do in Birmingham?

[alcyone]

Going to Birmingham tomorrow for wkend.
Was going to take the dds to Think tank, but just seen a thread that slates it....any other good places please?

sea life centre, then a bit further out go to Cadburys World.

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we enjoyed it, but then we were up that way anyway, don't know if I'd drive 2 hours there and 2 hours home again.

I just loved getting piles of free chocolate in each section, obviously had to have some of ds's, they couldn't possibly manage it all! (although they were weeny, they still remember that i STOLE their chocolate!)

science museam is supposed to be good?

sealife centre.
walk along canal- or go on canal boat taxi from mailbox to brindley place.
HAndmade burger co at brindley place do FANTASTIC handmade burgers, just by the sealife centre aswell.

Thanks all,
We are going to visit sd at uni,taking dd1 and dd2,6&8,about 3 hour drive.
Sealife is always fun, but we live on the coast and have a couple near us. I thought that think tank was part of science museum?
If not then i'd much prefer Science museum.
Any of you been to Thinktank?
Cheers for all your suggestions.

The nature centre at Cannon Hill Park is very cheap and cheerful - see the red pandas, lemurs, guinea pigs, goats etc etc.
Cannon Hill Park also nice for a walk round and good play facilities.

ThinkTank and Science Museum are the same. The fantastic old science museum (free) was closed down and replaced with not so fantastic, v expensive Thinktank.

Cadbury World is ok but very very expensive in my opinion. If it's a fine day the Nature Centre is lovely and very near the uni.

The Museum and Art gallery in the city centre is nice enough (and free). The cafe does lovely cakes; always a bonus!

How old are the children?

Sorry, just read the ages on your other post - doh!

You could get the train from the uni into town on Saturday (a treat probably, after a long drive?), go to the Museum and for a walk along the canal, have lunch in town, then the library have a children's story session at 2 o' clock on a Saturday (it's right next to the museum).
The Nature Centre on the Sunday morning would be lovely before the drive back.

Any hotels in Birmingham that you would recommend? Preferably with swimming pool.

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Shame about the science museum/think tank
Children are 6 and 8, love the sound of the nature centre, but it's been freezing here today so may need to be indoors.......gonna convince them all to try the museum and art gallery, thanks. Whats the museum like?

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Thank all'
Janeite, i think you may have planned my weekend...thanks

Lol - hope the weather's fine. Birmingham is lovely in the sunshine and a bit depressing when it rains. There's a Wagamamas near the Bullring. Or there are plenty of eaty places around Brindley Place (by the canal, just past the museum). Or, if you like curries, there are loads of curry places in Selly Oak, near the uni.

Thanks, fingers crossed for sunshine!
Best start packing!

The museum and art gallery is very good for kids also, much more interactive than just wandering around looking at old pots etc!

CAnt think of a hotel in city with swimming pool apart from the Hyatt.

Hello,
just got back from Birmingham, had a great time.
Rained all the way there, rained all the way back, but Saturday was beautiful.
Managed to find uni campass,and art gallery@museum (thanks to sat nav).
Kids loved the museum,could have stayed all day.and yes, the coffee shop was good!
Loved the Bull ring too, all in all, a good visit.
Look forward to returning.......Thanks to all for comments.

Glad you enjoyed it! Did you buy anything nice in the Bullring?!!

Had a great time, bought lots of nice things.....all for the offspring though!
They really enjoyed themselves, esp at the museum. Look forward to returning when it's a bit warmer.Funny going to university halls of residence, made me feel really old!
Oh btw, this is alcyone,fancied a change of name