Birmingham - More than just a Concrete jungle?

Infidel

Does anyone know if there are any supermarkets located in the centre? Tesco, Asda etc.

As in some places they are out from the centre and you normally need a car to get there.

payless

tesco on New steet " think its a Metro"
Big Tesco at 5 ways, top of broad st

payless

and sainsburys ( smaller shops) midway on Broad St and off Corporation st ( martineau sq).. plus Selfridges in bull ring have a food hall,

toozie_2

OK, hope someBrummy can answer this!

We're staying at the Nitenite hotel, I love Charity shops (or junk shops). Are we within walking distance of any? If so, what street name do I look out for (we've been given a A-Z of Birmingham)?

Also cinema, again within walking distance?

Ta in advance

payless

Shopping in Birmingham is supposed to be up market... you are close to Mailbox http://www.mailboxlife.com/

There used to be a sunday "antiques market" just by where you are... although not sure if still exists.. other than that I guess you are looking at Harborne/ bearwood for charity shops ( regular buses from Broad st)

notakid

Hi
Look at this page
http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/markets.bcc

There is the rag/flea market on every tues/thursday/friday sat which is really good. Mostly food and veg now but if you are after materiel of curtains/outfits its very good.

There is also a huge car boot round the corner from the market on a Sunday.

There is also a great antique market but its around once a month but you might be lucky!
http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/preview/printer/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=20&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=0&CONTENT_TITLE=%20Antiques%20Market

Quackers

avfc4life wrote: »

Also for eating can i recommend a place in China Town called The Big Wok. It is an all you can eat Chinese that is only £4.99 per person. For that you get as much as you can eat. There is all the starters, Mains & ice cream machines and cakes for puddings.

I always eat here whenever i go to Birmingham as it is very close to the bullring and usually works out cheaper. That will waste away about an hour and a half of your day.

I'm taking 3 teenagers to Birmingham next week.

We're also staying at the nitenite hotel.

Any locals know how far away from each other these two places are.

They all love chinese and this sounds ideal

notakid

Its abit of a walk but not too much of a stretch. Its very close to the Rag Market/Bullring so if you are shopping that day, pop in then. Make sure you are very hungry!

Heres a map the red circled bit is the big Wok.
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=europe&X=407000&Y=286500&scale=10000&width=700&height=400&gride=407102&gridn=286393&coordsys=gb&db=&overviewmap=&scale=10000&in.x=14&in.y=15

I would say its around a 20/25 min stroll from the mailbox.(slightly downhill as well!)
Its tucked down a little dead end side side which also has a entrance to a multi story car park

Easy to find just find the Birmingham Hippodrome and walk down the road itowards the indoor market you will see a little side road between some other Chinese's there it is.

It is a huge canteen really, but very clean and cheap!

northantsandy

To all you doom-mongers and soothsayers who say they hate the place, I find you generally get out of somewhere what you put in....

Brum has tonnes of great places to visit and see and do....but it is a big city and in the same way you'd expect to see street crime in any other big city, Brum is no different.

There are a great many free places to visit and do as well as all the paid for stuff....

There are plenty of country parks in the City as well as the towpath walks...

Milennium Point isn't the best building in the world, but when you pay to go in your kids will love it; not sure if the Imax is open still.

Decent grub? Try Chez Jules just off New Street opposite Barclay's Bank. Mr Egg down near the Chinese Quarter is mighty fine for all your Full English needs.

There is a free city centre bus I think...take a go on that and hop off around the Citry Centre. It's not a tourist bus, but the driver will give you pointers. Oh and service 101 goes to the Jewellry Quarter...if you're going for the w/e then you can get a Chiltern Lines train down to Stratford Upon Avon in an hour - online Chiltern are doing dead cheap tickets.

Gas Hall and the Museum & Art Gallery are good as is the Midlands Art Centre at Cannon Hill Park near the Edgbaston cricket ground - Cannon Hill Park is great too, especially if you have kids, masive place, lot's to explore there and a great playground!

Quackers

Anyone any suggestions for parking in Birmingham?

We will need somewhere to park the car from about mid morning/lunchtime tuesday until mid morning wednesday. so for about 24hrs.

we are staying here:

nitenite™ Birmingham
Centenary Plaza
18 Holliday Street
Birmingham B1 1TB

Thanks in advance.