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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.

Original poster

Birmingham with 5yo

12 replies

GreyDuck · 04/12/2023 07:55

We're going for a few days to Birmingham with our 5yo. All tips welcome, we've always gone camping before!
We're staying in an apartment near the Jewellery quarter.
Places to eat- kid-friendly or takeaway.
Activities, we've booked Luminate at the botanic gardens. Think tank and Lego sound good. DS has never been to a city, so even simple things like a toy shop will amaze him.
Are there any play parks in the city centre? Might be good to do something familiar too.

Any tips on transport? A whole day sightseeing could be hard on little legs.

OP posts:
Hopeandmoss · 04/12/2023 08:02

welcome to brum! The Birmingham museum and art galley are worth a look and the national trust back to back houses (need to book) is in the city centre and feels really Christmassy. There is an old fashioned sweet shop on the corner there that kids love. Brindley place has lots of bars and restaurants and you can walk around the canal network. The sea life centre is also there if the weather is fowl and you want a kid friendly warm up ( find some vouchers if you can before you go as £££). If you are coming in December the Christmas market is worth a look, but go early as lots of alcohol based stuff so gets busy later. Best way to get around is tram or bus, but a lot of things are walkable.

Original poster
GreyDuck · 04/12/2023 19:33

Thanks, we're going between Christmas and New year, so the Back to Backs and Christmas market will be shut.
A trip on a tram will be a novelty.

OP posts:
Forgottenmyphone · 06/12/2023 06:38

I’d recommend The Rolling Mill and Cucina Rustica which are both in the jewellery quarter. There’s an indoor soft play called Teenie Weenies in the city centre. It’s not very big but it’s sufficient for a 5yo and will probably be open when you go. It’s got a cafe too!

Cupcakegirl13 · 06/12/2023 06:41

Lego discovery centre and Sealife are both brilliant for that age in the city near to each other with parking.

Original poster
GreyDuck · 06/12/2023 22:17

Forgottenmyphone · 06/12/2023 06:38

I’d recommend The Rolling Mill and Cucina Rustica which are both in the jewellery quarter. There’s an indoor soft play called Teenie Weenies in the city centre. It’s not very big but it’s sufficient for a 5yo and will probably be open when you go. It’s got a cafe too!

Ooh they both look great. I'm looking forward to eating out.

OP posts:
justasmalltownmum · 06/12/2023 22:18

Mine were impressed that the entertainer toy store has a (tiny, tiny) soft play inside.

Original poster
GreyDuck · 07/12/2023 17:48

justasmalltownmum · 06/12/2023 22:18

Mine were impressed that the entertainer toy store has a (tiny, tiny) soft play inside.

Ooh fab! We'll check it out.

OP posts:
Lia73 · 14/02/2024 13:43

Hi @GreyDuck . Just jumping on here as we are going to Birmingham tomorrow for 2 nights with our 5 year old. He will be 6 in April. Is there anything you did that you would recommend? I am not sure whether to book the lego discovery centre or try something else like Teenie Weenies. Any tips would be really appreciated!

Original poster
GreyDuck · 14/02/2024 15:27

We went to sealife centre. It's well-designed, everything was visible from child -height, no need to lift up for windows etc. we got half price tickets with carex soap. I'm glad we didn't pay full price.

The science museum was a bit disappointing, about 1/3rd of the interactive exhibits were broken. Luckily our 5yo wasn't very interested anyway, but he loved "little Brum" which is on the top floor and had a soft play building site, and a big slide. Half price entry with a train ticket.

We didn't find the Entertainer, the shops were all heaving and it was just too much.

@Lia73 i hope you have a good time.

OP posts:
samarrange · 15/02/2024 01:34

Cannon Hill Park is wonderful.

Lia73 · 15/02/2024 12:27

GreyDuck · 14/02/2024 15:27

We went to sealife centre. It's well-designed, everything was visible from child -height, no need to lift up for windows etc. we got half price tickets with carex soap. I'm glad we didn't pay full price.

The science museum was a bit disappointing, about 1/3rd of the interactive exhibits were broken. Luckily our 5yo wasn't very interested anyway, but he loved "little Brum" which is on the top floor and had a soft play building site, and a big slide. Half price entry with a train ticket.

We didn't find the Entertainer, the shops were all heaving and it was just too much.

@Lia73 i hope you have a good time.

@GreyDuck . Thank you for the reply and the tips! We have travelled by train so I will see if I can get a deal too.

Lia73 · 15/02/2024 12:31

samarrange · 15/02/2024 01:34

Cannon Hill Park is wonderful.

@samarrange . Thank you. Just checked their website. If the weather is not too bad, we may take a trot up there.

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