Birmingham event weekends: what to do between sessions

Canals, the Balti Triangle and the Jewellery Quarter, with the NEC, Edgbaston and Villa Park, and Warwick Castle 30 minutes away.

Events we cover in Birmingham

Arriving

Birmingham airport (BHX) is 10 minutes by train from New Street and next to the NEC.

Where to stay

Three hotels we would book

• Budget: Premier Inn Birmingham City Centre (New Street)
• Mid-range: Hotel Indigo Birmingham
• Splurge: The Grand Hotel Birmingham

Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Tours

Where to eat

• Balti Triangle Birmingham's balti curries
• Digbeth Dining Club Street food
• Original Patty Men Burgers

With kids

• National Sea Life Centre.
• Thinktank science museum.

Rainy-day backups

• Cadbury World.
• Thinktank.

Free things to do

• Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.
• Library of Birmingham rooftop.

Getting around

• Trains from New Street; Edgbaston is a short bus ride; Villa Park via Witton station.
• Tap in with a contactless card on buses, trams and most urban trains.
• Book long-distance trains early on the operator app or Trainline: walk-up fares are expensive.
• Uber works in most UK cities; local black cabs are metered.