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UK travel

Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

Birmingham

12 replies

shoopshoopsong · 20/05/2014 10:51

My DH is taking me to Birmingham for the weekend for my birthday in a few weeks because I want to visit the pen museum! (stationery nerd alert) has anyone been?

Any other suggestions of where to go / what to do in Birmingham? On my list so far is just wander round the jewellery quarter, and go to the big art gallery if there's time. Maybe a canal tour?

Any good laid back places to eat? Have 6wk old DS and am BFing so nowhere too fancy. & where does the best coffee?
Many suggestions welcome! TIA

OP posts:
shoopshoopsong · 21/05/2014 18:28

bump. anyone?

OP posts:
Auntimatter · 21/05/2014 18:33

There's a needle museum at Redditch if that kind of stuff is your thing. And an aquarium and science museum in Brum itself.

There are lots of shops.

Auntimatter · 21/05/2014 18:33

Bull Ring has chain but nice eateries.

Mepmep · 21/05/2014 18:56

Avoid the chain eateries at all costs!!

Birmingham has so many independent shops and restaurants.

Ok best coffee - 6/8 Kafe round the back of house of Fraser. No baby changing there but it's a very laid back place (small and gets a but busy, maybe a bit of a squish with a pram but they have an outdoor area). HoF has amazing bf and baby changing facilities.

Urban coffee (Church st) and Yorks Bakery cafe are nearby, have amazing coffee and vibe; baby friendly (lots of mums and prams at Yorks) and you are near enough HoF to use their changing facilities. More pram space than 6/8

Short walk away is the new library, gets a but busy on weekends but is a must see. Great gardens, terraces and children's section (where you have excellent changing and bf facilities). You can also use the library or the symphony hall (nearby) to change/bf if you do a canal tour (you can just amble around, or take a boat)

On the canals, worthy of note are the Canalside cafe (cafe/pub cross), JuJu's (lovely bistro, open late afternoons but not hugely baby friendly though they have a terrace). Tap and spile pub or the Prince of Wales pub for your DH. Smile

By far the most family and baby friendly restaurant is Cafe Soya. Yes you can go to Jamie's and the like in the Bullring, but a two min walk from there, you will find Cafe Soya. They make amazing, fresh and cheap Vietnamese, Thai and Chinese food, lovely staff, all round great place with loooooads of space for prams and a baby changing area. I love this place!

Other Brummie favourites in the city centre are Asha's and the Bodega.

In the jewellery quarter, be sure to check out the Church Inn pub, or The Lord Cliffden or the Red Lion (another one next to the JQ clock - the Rose Tavern I think). All have excellent good and are a bit of a hipster/yuppie hangouts, very relaxed, but not sure what child policies they have!

Urban coffee also has an outpost in the JQ

The Ikon gallery (just off the canals) is worth a visit, lovely cafe too. Sometimes they have children's events.

The Mac arts centre, just a short taxi ride out of the city centre, has loads of family and children's events on. Nearby Canon Hill Park is good for a walk.

Ah, I'm so glad my comprehensive knowledge of Birmingham came in useful at last!

Mepmep · 21/05/2014 19:01

Oh yes, just to second what the pp said - the Millenum Think Tank has a science museum and a cool 'science garden'. It's next to a new regenerated urban park, East Side Park.

Forgot to mention other local notables - Western Arcade in the city centre (again near house of Fraser) had lots of little independent shops like Anderson and Hill deli, a bakery, Loki wine, quirky gift shops and the like.

One last thing! The new Qube building (next to the Mailbox) has a cafe on the too floor. It's a bit fancy for my tastes but its lovely and has the most incredible views of the city. Went there with DC and pram, do able!

Enjoy, and do report back! Grin

shoopshoopsong · 22/05/2014 11:59

Mepmep you star! Thank you so much I will definitely check some of those places out - sound just what I'm looking for! Not sure how many I'll fit in one weekend now but will report back Grin

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paneer · 22/05/2014 12:06

This place is nice www.bostonteaparty.co.uk/our_cafes/birmingham.php

New library is worth a visit (my DD loved it).

I liked the Custard Factory - there was a flee market when I last went there. I love old tat.

shoopshoopsong · 23/05/2014 09:57

I love old tat too, thanks paneer!

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Southeastdweller · 25/05/2014 21:06

Agree on Boston Tea a Party and the new library. BTP has the best coffee I've found in the city (though I haven't been to Kafe).

Don't forget to have one of the famous 99p filled baguettes!

Has anyone been to Cadbury's World?

Onykahonie · 26/05/2014 18:59

Museum of the jewelry quarter is worth a visit...tiny but very interesting. Museum/gallery is also good. The Botanical Gardens do a nice lunch and are baby/pram friendly.

Although it is a chain, I like Carluccio's (Brindley Place).

Avoid Cadbury World...total rip off!

Onykahonie · 26/05/2014 19:01

Ahh...I do apologise for my Americanism...flipping spell check! Blush

Mrmenmug · 26/05/2014 19:35

I second Boston Tea Party. Homemade lemonade and cakes are gorgeous and if you get there just before or just after lunch, plenty of room for prams

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