Having undergone one of the largest redevelopment programmes in Britain, Birmingham is no longer a concrete jungle full of drab canals, but one of England’s most modern and cutting edge cities. Birmingham is all change. The concrete monstrosities have gone, the builders have moved in and new buildings are springing up all over the place – just look at the stylish revamped Bullring shopping centre to see what we mean.
Birmingham has lots to offer, from its bohemian canal-side cafes to its 18th-century architecture, which means there’s no ‘perfect’ time to visit. In spring and summer, the restaurants and nightspots are buzzing, and the Christmas period comes with its own packed timetable, welcoming a huge ice-skating rink and the largest authentic German market outside of Germany and Austria.
Birmingham’s leafy parks and network of canals prove popular in the summer months, and the hotel prices hike up considerably in June, July and August. Try May or September to enjoy waterfront walks and the city’s legendary curry houses minus the crowds. Also avoid December, when the largest German market in the country rolls into town.
