About Birmingham

With more than 8,000 acres of parks and open spaces, Birmingham offers plenty of choice for relaxation and entertainment. From the picturesque Birmingham Botanical Gardens & Glasshouses, a six acre, Grade II listed Edwardian Arts and Crafts style garden on the University of Birmingham's Edgbaston campus, to the high-tech interactivity of Thinktank, an innovative science museum at Millennium Point. Other attractions include: - Cadbury World, home of the famous chocolate brand - The National Sea Life Centre - Birmingham Botanical Gardens - Miles of Birmingham's revitalised canal network.

Art and Culture

With more than 500,000 works of art in one square mile of the city centre, it's fair to say that culture is alive and well and living in Birmingham. Our Museum and Art Gallery holds the world's largest collection of pre- Raphaelite works of art, whilst just up the road there's the Barber Institute, one of only five museums outside London to be recognised for its "outstanding significance". The beautiful Birmingham Hippodrome, home of the Birmingham Royal Ballet, is the country's busiest theatre outside London.

Shopping

Birmingham is a shopper's paradise. Whether you're looking for head-turning chic or eye-catching value, it's all waiting in the bold, new shopping capital of Europe. With Selfridges in the Bullring, Harvey Nichols in The Mailbox, impressive malls, vibrant markets and the city's unique Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham satisfies even the most dedicated retail devotee.

Food and Drink

The cuisines of 27 different countries make up the thriving Birmingham food scene in over 200 city centre restaurants. There's the world famous Balti Triangle, recently listed among the Rough Guide's "Top 25 Must Do Experiences in the UK". You'll find many of the city's best bars around Brindleyplace, Broad Street and The Mailbox, where you can relax and take in the lively canal-side atmosphere. And when it comes to Michelin starred restaurants, Birmingham has three: Simpsons, Purnell's and Turners. That's more than any other city in England, outside of London.

Parks and Sporting Venues

Birmingham has plenty to offer sportsfans. It is home to two successful football teams and, a fact not widely known, is that the Football League was invented here. It is also home to the world-class Edgbaston Cricket Ground, where England beat Australia in the Second Test of the 2005 Ashes, and the internationally renowned Belfry Golf Club, which has hosted The Ryder Cup four times . Then there's The NIA. Located in the heart of the city, it regularly stages major events including World Indoor Athletics, Davis Cup Tennis, UK Badminton Championships and Martial Arts tournaments. In fact, 11 world records have been set at the NIA, an impressive record in itself!

Places to Visit

With Birmingham as your base, you're perfectly placed to explore a little further. Travel out of the city in any direction and you'll soon be treated to the rich culture and heritage that the heart of England has to offer.

Warwickshire - running an imaginative programme of events throughout the year, England's finest medieval castle at Warwick is simply unmissable. It's also just a short drive from Shakespeare's Stratford upon Avon, home of the Royal Shakespeare Company and gateway to the Cotswolds.

Worcestershire - dominated by its magnificent cathedral overlooking the River Severn, the county town of Worcester sits below the Malvern Hills. The county is also home to the famous white lions of West Midlands Safari Park and Arley Arboretum, one of the UK's oldest arboretums.

Shropshire - explore the ten fascinating museums in and around Telford's historic Ironbridge Gorge. Travel through picturesque market towns to Weston Park, one of England's most impressive stately homes.

Staffordshire - An array of ancient castles and historic houses populate the Staffordshire countryside. The county is also famous for its pottery and is home to the Wedgwood china company.

Britain is full of contrasts. Whichever direction you travel in, you will find a wide variety of landscapes and diverse cultures to explore. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are all unique countries with their own customs, cultures and traditions. Whether you are seeking exhilarating adventure, peaceful countryside locations, art music, heritage or sport, Britain has the perfect destination to allow you to make the most of your visit.

Just under an hour and a half from Birmingham, you will find London, one of the world's great cultural cities, constantly reinventing itself as the capital of art, style, music and fashion. Home to 200 museums and galleries, 150 theatres, 6000 restaurants and some of the world's greatest shopping and nightlife, there's something for all to enjoy.

Also within easy reach are the world-famous university cities of Oxford and Cambridge. Both offer inspirational architecture, amazing museums and art galleries, as well as a wealth of history and an outstanding record for scientific and artistic achievement.

Birmingham is also close to the beautiful Georgian city of Bath, which justly deserves its status as World Heritage site. It is home to delightful terraces, elegant crescents and stunning architecture. The Roman baths, built over 2000 years ago and still in perfect working order, are a must-see experience.

More information about accomodation and tourist attractions can be found here:

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