Britain's second biggest city after London is Birmingham. Birmingham is the cultural centre of the West Midlands and offers the casual visitor an enormous range of exciting opportunities and things to do. Offering an unsurpassed range of shops and shopping centres, and literally hundreds of activities and things to do, Birmingham is the ideal tourist destination; a city that is always guaranteed to keep you occupied.

As a city, Birmingham is packed with places to visit, enabling you to get a real taste of the city's culture. Just a few of the places include:

Birmingham Cathedral: Built in 1725, this is one of the city's most beautiful historic buildings, complete with four Pre-Raphaelite stained-glass windows.

The Royal Air Force Museum: Treat yourself to a stunning display of aviation history and witness over seventy aircraft situated within three separate wartime hangars. You'll see Spitfires, Hurricanes, Vulcans and more.

Cadbury's World: One of the country's biggest and most popular museums. You'll find out about the history of chocolate, and how it originated in South America, as well as seeing a genuine production line. Of course, a visit isn't complete without sampling the produce...

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery: Witness a huge variety of exhibits that range from spooky Egyptian mummies to a wooden toy collection for the kids. Treat yourself to some culture and examine the largest collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings in the world.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens: An astonishing fifteen acres of beautiful gardens are available for exploration, as well as four glasshouses containing exotic plants.

When it comes to finding something to do, you'll find that Birmingham has it covered. Some ideal places for pursuits include:

The Ackers: If your family's into sport, then enjoy taking part in a variety of activities including climbing, canoeing, skiing, snowboarding and more. Occupying over seventy acres and located just two miles from the city centre, The Ackers couldn't be more convenient.

Second City Canal Cruises: Enjoy cruising down the Birmingham canals and buy gifts from the souvenir shop.

The National Sea Life Centre: Witness over sixty displays of exotic marine life, and find yourself enthralled by the undersea world. See giant turtles, reef fish and sharks too.

Newbrook Farm Experience: Visit a working farm and keep an eye out for the many rare breeds of animals that include cattle, hens, pigs, ponies and goats.

Woodgate Valley Country Park: The perfect place for walkers, with mile upon mile of tracks to explore. There's something for the kids too, with a farm, play area and a fun pony-trekking centre.

If you're feeling hungry after touring Birmingham, you'll discover that Birmingham is renowned for its culinary diversity - meaning that you'll find the right meal, no matter what variety of food you're looking for. Within the city, home-cooked traditional British food goes hand-in-hand with exotic cuisine from India and China, and all of Birmingham's eateries are in easily accessible locations. Whichever end of the scale interests you - whether it is a simple takeaway or a slap-up three-course meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant - Birmingham has it covered. Here's a small selection of the city's eating-places:

City Cafè(c) Birmingham: Service, style and ambience are on the menu at this top-rated restaurant that offers a la carte menus, a famous Sunday lunch buffer and a vegetarian garden. Enjoy a live Jazz band every Thursday evening.

Metro Bar and Grill: Free-range meats are the order of the day here, along with a comprehensive fish board that changes daily. Metro also serves a range of sandwiches and simple snack foods if you're looking for something quick.

Peppers: Birmingham's top-rated Indian restaurant has every kind of Indian dish imaginable, and you'll be spoilt for choice when you see the menu. The restaurant's ethos is value for money.

San Carlo Ristorante: Authentic Italian food is what this restaurant offers, with many of the ingredients imported directly from Italy. The chefs and the management bring real individuality to the menu.

Opus Restaurant: Seasonal and regional are the keywords for this eatery's menu, which offers genuine British meals with the ingredients locally sourced.

When it comes to finding somewhere to stay in Birmingham, the only problem you'll experience with Birmingham is the amount of options available - so many, in fact, that you'll be spoilt for choice! Short breaks and long stays are catered for in hotels and guesthouses in the city centre or on the outskirts. Further, the prices range from the immediately affordable to more expensive and luxurious rooms. If you're looking for an alternative, then you'll find that Birmingham has plenty of options ranging from campsites to self-catering accommodation. There are also special packages available, such as the spa break, where you'll find yourself pampered into luxury.

When you've finished exploring Birmingham by day, you'll discover that the city comes alive at night with some of the coolest pubs and nightclubs around. Whether you're looking for a relaxing sit down and drink, or want to party away the small hours, you'll doubtlessly discover the ideal venue. The Nightingale Club, located in the heart of the city centre, has three levels incorporating numerous bars, discos, a restaurant and a games room. Meanwhile, The Jam House is a nightclub supported by music maestro Jools Holland, and holds up to 600 people. Alternatively, Rick's Garden Cafè(c) and Bar in Birmingham offers you the opportunity to enjoy Mediterranean cuisine under the stars.

The above information should give you some idea of just what Birmingham has to offer as a city. There's something to keep you occupied whatever your interest, with a whole range of different cultural activities. If you're traditional, you'll enjoy visiting the city's many museums and art galleries, and learning about Birmingham's history. If you're part of a family, you'll discover attractions that have proved to be popular with thousands of children while in Birmingham. Eating, shopping, seeing and doing... all four bases are covered when you come to Birmingham.

Hotels in Birmingham

Birmingham NEC/Airport Premier Travel Inn

City Inn Birmingham

Campanile Hotel - Birmingham

Copthorne Hotel Birmingham

Birmingham Great Barr Hotel

Holiday Inn Birmingham Airport

The Norfolk Hotel

Portland Hotel

Ye Olde Station Guest House Birmingham, Shustoke

Days Inn Birmingham East

Britannia Hotel Birmingham

Macdonald Burlington Hotel

Best Western The Westley Hotel

Central Guest House

Express by Holiday Inn Birmingham Castle Bromwich

Heath Lodge Hotel

Express by Holiday Inn Birmingham NEC

Novotel Birmingham Airport

Hagley Court Hotel

Apollo Hotel

Corus hotel Birmingham South

Bridge House Hotel

Fairlawns At Aldridge(Best Western)

RAMADA BIRMINGHAM (FORMERLEY DAYS HOTEL)

Express by Holiday Inn Birmingham Oldbury M5, Jct.

Novotel Birmingham Centre

Paragon Hotel

Thistle Birmingham City

Birmingham Edgbaston

Jurys Inn Birmingham

Premier Apartments Birmingham

The Edgbaston Palace Hotel

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