Birmingham city centre packs more into a square mile than most guests expect on their first visit. If you’re staying with us for a weekend, here’s how to spend it without wasting time working out where to go.
Start at the Bullring and Grand Central. These sit right on top of New Street Station, so it’s the obvious first stop if you’ve arrived by train. Beyond the shops, the Selfridges building itself is worth a look — its curved, silver-disc facade has become one of the most photographed buildings in the city.
Walk the canals. Birmingham has more miles of canal than Venice, and the towpaths through Brindleyplace and the Mailbox make for an easy, flat walk past bars, restaurants and converted Victorian warehouses. Early evening is the best time — the water catches the lights from the bars along the bank.
Take in some culture. Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery is free to enter and holds one of the best Pre-Raphaelite collections in the world. If you’ve got kids with you, the Sea Life Centre and Cannon Hill Park are both easy additions to a day out.
Catch something at the ICC or Utilita Arena. Both venues are a short walk from the centre and regularly host touring shows, conferences and concerts. Check what’s on before you book your dates — it’s worth timing a stay around it.
Finish in the Jewellery Quarter. A ten-minute taxi or a pleasant walk from the centre, this is one of the oldest parts of the city and still home to working jewellers, independent coffee shops and some of Birmingham’s best small restaurants.
Our city centre properties put you within walking distance of all of this — no need to plan transport around your evenings. Stay close to the Bullring and Grand Central, or pick something nearer the Jewellery Quarter if you want a quieter base with easy access to Snow Hill Station.
Having homes across Birmingham means we can usually find something that fits your dates and your budget, without the booking fees you’d pay through a platform. Browse our properties or check availability for your weekend in Birmingham.