Birmingham Christmas market

whitesatin

OH has suggested taking me to the Frankfurt market in Birmingham - we went to Cologne last year and Basle the year before. Anyway, just wondered if anyone has been there?

Also, will be taking train to Birmingham New Street station and want a hotel nearby - don't mind the price too much if it is just for one night.

Any advice welcome, thanks.

maggiesmummy

Hi
Birmingham Christmas Market is great and there are loads of good hotels nearby. If you stay close to the Bullring the Radisson or malmaison are great, as is Hotel Du Vin which is just off Colmore Row. A bit cheaper are the Travelodge, Novotel and Jury's Inn which are all on Broad Street - party central for Birmingham.
Hope that helps - you can walk to the market from all of those.
MM

JoshP

We went last night as we live in Birmingham. It's nice this year loads of stuff and not stupidly expensive in my opinion. As for hotels there are loads on Broad Street that are within easy walking distance of the Market.

highjewelgreen

I love Birmingham market and it is really close to the Bullring and the theatres. When I have stayed in Birmingham a couple of times. If money is no object then Hotel Du Vin or Malmaison are lovely. If you wanted to watch your pennies and stay close to the market then I would suggest the Briar Rose. It is above a Wetherspoons (which sounds dodgy) but we really liked it, have a look on Laterooms.

caeler

If you want cheap but cool try the nite nite. Very unique and very small but I've always slept well. http://www.nitenite.com/ Its a short walk into town, from the station and to the mailbox.

madlyn

i went last week and i must say i wasnt impressed. around 6 different stalls repeated throughout. and i thought the prices were high.
i have never been to a market abroud but i'm guessing it wont be a patch on those. enjoyed manchester market a couple of years ago more.
and i'm not bah humbug just giving my opinion.

sarahj1986

I had a look round the bham market last year as I was in bham for a friends birthday meal. Its ok, a lot of the stuff is repeated but the bar area gets busy.

PixieDust

I agree with Madlyn I'm afraid. Overpriced, overcrowded and overrated. Sorry, just my opinion

sarah69696pink

We regularly go as we have family in Birmingham. I'd go if you lived near, but I don't think I'd go out of my way and pay for a hotel to go - as others have said its pricey and really really busy.
However if you fancy a weekend away somewhere anyway for some xmas shopping etc then it would probably be nice to do birmingham as there are some nice stalls and it does have a nice atmosphere - but I wouldn't book a night away there just for the market personally.

Horace

Must admit that I live in Birmingham and have visited the German market a few times, the last time being last year. I thought it was over priced and very repetitive, for instance a loaf of Stollen was being sold in the market for £14.99 yet you could buy virtually the same one in Aldi for £4.99.

I wouldn't make a trip to Birmingham just to go to the German market though and certainly not stay overnight, there are other places to see eg. the Bullring and down by the Bullring and St Martins Church are loads of restaurants including Jamie Oliver's Italian place. There are lots of places to stay and if you don't want to walk too far there are also the City Nites apartments that can be rented by the night - they have everything in them that you could possibly need.

Just my opinion about the German market - nice to look at but not to buy from.

mcja

We went last year, for christmas shopping day, and got about 3 things from the market, one we ate before we got back to the car. It was expensive, the stalls are in repeat and its busy BUT it's beautifully festive! all different and a lovely atmosphere. The other shops are worth a mooch as well. We had a lovely day up there but as said, I am not sure its worth a nights hotel as well.