Birmingham - Is it worth hanging around?

[MagicNappySack]

We are off to a wedding in Birmingham. The next day is DD's second birthday and I don't want her to spend it travelling so was thinking of spending a couple of days in the city. Can you recommessssssssssssssssssssnd anything a 2yr old would liketo do there? Also what is the birmingham central broadway plaza and would it be madness to stay there? We will be using public transport so unfortunately can't just jump in the car and drive off into the countryside.

Sorry for extra ssss and no paragraph break. The nearly 2 yr old has been pulling keys off my laptop all day.

Sea Life Centre might appeal to your dd.

Well, our 2 year old loved the Sealife centre and Thinktank. It is a great city!

You could however jump on a train to Warwick Castle very easily. Take the train to Warwick train station (not Parkway) and you'll be able to walk up to the castle, although it is a long walk for a 2 year old.

Broadway Plaza is at Five Ways, so a bit of a walk from the main city centre along Broad Street, which is mostly horrible.

Birmingham Nature Centre is lovely (a short bus ride out) and only costs pennies - I like it better than the Sealife Centre, which I think is a rip off - then again, I hate fish!

Maybe a ride on a canal boat?

Sea life center will be cheaper than Warwick castle, which is lovely but probalby a bit older would justify the cost

I would also recommend cannon hill nature centre, sea life (train co alway do them 2 for 1 discounts if you go by train) and thinktank (they have a massive area of pretend play stuff - a hospital, ambulance, doctors, dentist, cafe, kitchen, garage etc.. my kids adore it, Also a big water play area o take some spare clothes if you go)

Walsall art gallery worth a train ride as well. The children's discovery gallery is fantastic and free. Loads for em to do. Have been to loads of these type o things all over the country and walsall the best imo

Nature Centre and Cannon Hill Park are next to each other. Take a number 1 bus from Broad St (across the road from Brindleyplace) and it stops right outside both. Nature centre is free for under 5s and only about £3 per adult (£2.70 if you have an under 2 with you). Lots of animals inc some big cats, monkeys, lemurs, red panda, reptiles/fish/creepy crawlies and domestic animals.

Inside Brindleyplace you will find the Sealife centre.

The library is lovely for hanging around the children's dept and has excellent changing facilities, as has the museum and art gallery.

Botanical Gardens also easy to get to from city centre.

If you want a journey planner, type in "Travel West Midlands Journey planner" into Google.

Have a lovely time!

yesss botanical gardens is ace for kids - sensory and discovery gardens and small playground. Well worth a visit

also mac will be open next month and they mght have ome stuff on. Worth a butchers if yr going to cannon hill park / nature centre.

In fact - you could go there in morning AND get the botanical gardens in as well - not too far away. A very busy day!

Thank you ladies - I have booked the Central Travelodge for 3 nights on your advice. The nature centre and park sound right up DD's street - and ideally suited to our lack of budget! I will also look out for a 2 for 1 offer on sea life.