Weekend in Birmingham

ann100

I am going to Birmingham for a long weekend What is the city like is it good for shopping whats digbeth like I heard it has lots of irish pubs. Also what is the Britannia Hotel like room restaurants etc..

Famous45

Britannia Hotel doesnt rate very highly on trip advisor

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g186402-d191979-Reviews-or10-Britannia_Hotel_Birmingham-Birmingham_West_Midlands_England.html#REVIEWS

Take a train to London for the day - only takes 1hr 30 mins each way and about €30.

Used to work at Hall Green which is bout 20 mins outside of the centre of Birmingham and from what I remember of Birmingham it ain't exactly the Seychelles of England.

Furthermore take a train to Brighton, it's a pretty place and plenty of little boutiques tucked away in the laneways.

Are you travelling alone or what? I only ask as it seems strange, if you were visiting friends surely you'd have a place to stay and not in a dodgy hotel and I wonder why anyone would wanna visit Birmingham in favour of London and other cities in the UK - internet romance?

ann100

Hi famous45,
I might get a train to london what train station would I stop at london dont know london that well. it the shops near.....
thanks

Famous45

Hey, You get a direct train Birmingham New Street to London Euston. On arrival at Euston you can access the underground tube line. Make your way to the Victoria Line southbound and get off at Oxford Circus, only takes a few minutes, this will leave you on Oxford Street which is the main street in London for shopping, Selfridges is a couple of mins walk towards Bond Street, you'll see everything when you are there, just stay alert and don't engage in conversation with anyone, if you want directions to a specific place ask a police officer or shop worker not someone on the street. You could also make your way to the London Eye, take the Victoria line from Oxford Circus to Green Park then change to the jubliee line southbound to Westminster, on coming out of Westminster you'll see Big Ben and most likely the London eye, walk across the bridge and queue up inside for a ticket to the London Eye, it's a great experience and gives fantastic views of the city.

Sadly I don't know much about Birmingham, but if you want info on anywhere else at all just hit me up. I lived throughout the UK up until last year for 10 years so know pretty much everywhere. Have fun and more importantly stay safe.

Famous45

and it might be wise to change your hotel

ann100

Why you think I should changed my hotel do you know anything about it has it a bad reputation

Famous45

That Britannia Hotel is €80+ a night whereas the Jurys Inn http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g186402-d224740-Reviews-Jurys_Inn_Birmingham-Birmingham_West_Midlands_England.html#REVIEWS which has decent reviews is only €67 a night and more likely going to be nicer and safer. The Radisson is also the same price and so is the Thistle Hotel, these are both decent hotels and a far better propersition than the Britannia.

Check out www.lastminute.co.uk or www.travelocity.co.uk for price comparison alternatively when you have checked them, check the actual hotel's website for any on going special you might end up getting a night thrown in free or something.

Famous45

Your own experience is the best judge of things and as much as I don't like to use trip advisor too often it can help with hotels in particular. In your case it had some pretty bad reviews and for a lower price you can get 3 other well known hotels who have a good reputation, cheaper.

ann100

thanks for the information, but have booked the britannia hotel new street its in middle of city centre.

Famous45

So are the other places. You cancel up until 24 hours in advance with a full refund, it's your call though. I'd opt for the better hotel at a lower price. Anyway best of luck whatever route you take.

ann100

i CANT VISIT THE HOTEL WEBSITE I WONT GET A REFUND I HEARD THE HOTEL IS LIKE THE SACHAS IN MANCHESTER I HAD BEEN THERE

Kotek Besar

Birmingham is great. Excellent for shopping. The Bull Ring centre has everything, from Selfridges to the Apple Store.

Museums are plenty, and night life is great. Restaurants are plentiful and varied.

Digbeth does have a few Irish pubs, but it's not the nicest part of town. I wouldn't bother if I were you, really not much worth seeing.

Famous45

Well this is the reviews for the hotel in Manchester

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g187069-d191553-Reviews-Britannia_Sachas_Hotel-Manchester_Greater_Manchester_England.html

Very pleasant indeed :rolleyes: