Driving to Birmingham

Country: England Capital: London Language: English Currency: Pound Sterling

Birmingham was once an industrial centre, but the closure of many British organizations in the 80s and the more recent regeneration of the city has encouraged many new businesses to set up shop. A large shopping centre and renewed transport links are fast making the UK’s second largest city also one of the liveliest.

Birmingham has long been associated with the chocolate industry, due to Cadbury and Bournville both having their headquarters nearby. Also famous is the city’s Jewellery Quarter, where over a third of all Britain’s jewellery is crafted by independent jewellers.

The National Exhibition Centre, or NEC, hosts numerous shows each year and is the largest venue of its kind in the UK. Family entertainment can be had at the National Sea Life Centre which contains over 3000 aquatic animals.

The City Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Birmingham Royal Ballet are worth checking out if classical music and ballet are your thing. If a night out on the tiles is more appealing, Broad Street has a plethora of pubs, bars and clubs where you can party till the small hours of the morning.

All of these places are within a few hours drive from Birmingham