Flight to Birmingham (BHX)

Flying to Birmingham: tips and information for your trip

Birmingham, situated in the centre of the West Midlands, is the second most populous city in England. Also known as Canal City, Birmingham has successfully exploited this element by establishing bars and trendy cafés along the notable canals that fill the city.

With its six universities, Birmingham is the largest centre of higher education in the country, outside of London. Contrary to popular belief, this industrial city has a lot to offer, whether you’re looking for culture, history, or just a fun night out on the town.

Things to do in Birmingham

1. Visit Symphony Hall, an architectural beauty, considered one of the finest concert halls in the world and home to the well-known City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. From Beethoven to Bollywood, they play a variety of music concerts, dance and educational performances, as well as housing conferences, business meetings, and graduation ceremonies.
   
   
2. The Town Hall, with its completely renovated interior, is the second most iconic concert hall, next to Symphony Hall. It’s one of the oldest concert halls in the world and is the centre of Birmingham’s cultural life. This versatile venue plays a diverse range of music such as jazz, pop, classical, rock, world and more, and welcomes internationally known artists every year.
   
   
3. Get a glimpse of Birmingham’s vibrant and fascinating history, culture, and science by visiting the collection of museums that enrich the city, including Coffin Works, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Thinktank, and so much more.
   
   
4. Walk through the artistic and creative world of Birmingham by visiting the numerous art galleries the city has to offer. One such gallery is Mac Birmingham, the most visited arts centre in the Midlands, which exhibits a broad range of audiovisual works created by well-known and emerging artists, and also has a bar and café.
   
   
5. Explore the Custard Factory, a quirky and buzzing district that showcases Birmingham’s innovative side. Filled with creative and digital workspaces and independent shops, bars, and cafés, it’s perfect for people looking for something unique and alternative.
   
   
6. The kingdom of castles is the ideal place to entertain children with stories of princesses, knights, ghosts and quests in Birmingham. Rediscover history by walking where the kings and queens once walked. Observe the stunning views from the towers of Tamworth Castle or see history come to life by watching the live action family show in Warwick Castle, then maybe go grab a pint in the impressive Stables Tearoom at Kenilworth Castle.
   
   
7. The Cathedral Church of Saint Philip, with its beautiful Baroque architecture and magnificently detailed stained-glass windows, is a rare example of English Baroque. It’s said to represent Birmingham’s pride and ambition; take a tour inside and find out how this church became a cathedral in a town that became a city.
   
   
8. Listen to a band play in the background while strolling through the beautiful, green scenery of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Sit and observe the butterflies, the different species of birds, and even the peacocks that are free to stroll around.
   
   
9. Discover penguins, sea turtles, sharks, and other beautiful sea creatures at the National SEA LIFE Centre! Home to the UK’s only 360 degree ocean tunnel, it has a one-million-litre ocean tank.
   
   
10. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre is the perfect place to create unforgettable memories with your family. It’s the ultimate LEGO playground and is suitable for children from 1 year old. With four areas inside, your child will have plenty to construct and explore!
    
    
11. Enjoy a fun night of cocktails and songs at the Karaoke Box Birmingham! With 11 private themed rooms and more than 15 thousand songs to choose from, you’re sure to have a blast.
    
    
12. Come try some real ale at The Wellington pub. This modest 2-floor pub serves a great range of ale and beer and is the perfect place to have a good time with friends and colleagues. Whatever your age or attire, all are welcome and you’ll never feel out of place.

Practical information for your trip

• Brussels Airlines flights arrive and depart from Birmingham Airport, which is just under 15 km from the city centre. There is a regular bus service to the town centre throughout the day (approx. every 20 minutes).
• Currency: The local currency is the Pound sterling. You won’t have any trouble finding a cash machine (Visa, MasterCard, and AM).
• Phone calls and Wi-Fi: The Birmingham area code is 121, and the international country code is +44. Wi-Fi networks are widely available in the city centre, the airport, and in many of Birmingham’s hotels, restaurants, and cafés.
• Electric sockets: Sockets have a standard voltage of 230 V and are type G (European standard). If you use American or other European plugs, you’ll need an adaptor.
• Travel information: Citizens from European Economic Area countries don’t need a visa for a trip to Birmingham. All they need is a passport or identity card.

Dos and don’ts

• If you’re thinking about taking a car, remember that they drive on the left in the UK.
• Always stand in line. People from the UK take queuing very seriously. Whether it’s to board a bus or buy tickets at a kiosk, never attempt to jump the queue, as this will only result in arguments with the locals.
• People in the UK are constantly apologising for the smallest mistake, even if they’re not at fault. Don’t forget to say ‘sorry’ if you accidentally bump into someone. They probably will too, even if it was your fault.
• British people are quite reserved, so a handshake is the most appropriate form of greeting.
• Avoid talking loudly in public, as this can be considered offensive or embarrassing.
• Don’t stare, because privacy is very important in the UK, and British people consider this rude.

Cultural events

• Flatpack is a perfect reflection of the city’s diversity and is one of Birmingham’s biggest events. This 10-day festival of cinematic creations and audio-visual entertainment takes place in April and brings people from all over the world to show their amazing talents.
• If you want to enjoy some of the greatest artwork in the world, then Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is the perfect choice. It’s home to the biggest collection of Pre-Raphaelite artwork, as well as collections of sculpture, ceramics and ancient and social history galleries. The Gas Hall Gallery offers an ever-changing programme of exhibitions. Entry is free, except for certain exhibitions.
• The Colmore Food Festival is a festival you should definitely attend if you’re looking for delicious, tasty food and fine wines, craft beers, and cocktails. The bars, restaurants, hotels and cafés of Colmore Business District present amazing plates of food for over 30,000 visitors every July, so don’t hesitate to make a quick stop at this festival.

When to visit Birmingham

Birmingham has a mild maritime climate with cool rather than cold winters and warm summers. The best time to visit Birmingham is during spring, when you can enjoy great sunny days and avoid the worst of the unpredictable weather. The weather is also enjoyable during autumn, with milder temperatures and longer hours of daylight. It’s also a good time to visit if you want to avoid the peak tourist season during the summer.

What to eat

Birmingham has a well-known reputation for food, and a wide range of nationalities are represented in its restaurants. It’s no surprise that with such a rich culture of flavours, Birmingham has many traditional dishes that are specific to the area.

• Balti The Balti is one of Birmingham’s most famous dishes. It is a Pakistani-inspired lamb or goat curry cooked and served in a steel ‘balti bowl’ to keep the curry hot after it’s been cooked. For a true local experience, head to the Balti Triangle, where a row of balti houses are clustered along Ladypool Road, Stoney Lane, and Stratford Road.
• Brummie bacon cakes These savoury scones have cheese and crispy bacon added to them and were rediscovered in an old woman’s cookery book. The cakes also include tomato ketchup and Worcestershire sauce to give them extra spiciness.
• Faggots with mashed potatoes and peas This unfortunately named dish is one of the oldest dishes in Birmingham. The word ‘faggot’ derives from Middle English, an old variant of English, and means ‘a bundle of’ - in this case a bundle of meat leftovers. They were originally a fast-food snack, created by using meat leftovers to satisfy the food cravings of factory workers in Birmingham. Over the last few years, the fast-food snack has developed a modern twist and become more popular. You can now find it on many pub menus around the country. The Bull on Price Street is much recommended for a taste of some good old traditional faggots.
• Frumenty Frumenty is the oldest known dish in England and it’s the ultimate comfort food. It’s a porridge meal made with boiled wheat, sugar, milk, almonds, plums, and currants.
• Lambswool This bizarrely named drink is a sweet spicy punch made with baked apples. The drink was originally made with ale, but nowadays it’s made with cider. Baked apple, nutmeg, and ginger are also added to the brew to give this drink an extra punch.