A family-friendly break in Birmingham

My top 1 place that I want to visit in Europe is the UK! I have always been intrigued by all that it has to offer! This is a wonderful article about Birmingham, a smaller, well-known town, about 2 hours from London. Someday, I hope to be able to use these ideas with my own kids while visiting this lovely country!

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Top tips for places to visit in the Midlands metropolis when the kids come along!

Birmingham is one of the UK’s major cities, and was recently named by New Times’ Travel Section as one of its top 45 places to go in 2012. This bustling area, widely regarded as England’s ‘second city’ after London, has long been a commercial hub, but in recent years its city centre redevelopments and growing food scene have made it a popular tourist destination.

The remodeling of the Birmingham city centre has created a whole host of shops, galleries and cultural opportunities. With a rich history in industry and manufacture, there are also some great museums and visitor centres in and around the Midlands areas, that are tailor-made for kids.

One of the rooms at the Copthorne Hotel in Birmingham

Accommodation is easy to secure as well. For visitors with families, there are several hotels in Birmingham city centre that are kid-friendly, such as the Millennium Hotels property in the middle of the city’s main shopping and commercial district.

Families looking to take day trips will be strongly advised to put Cadbury’s World, the centre for all things chocolate (a treat for kids and adults alike, packed with a combination of history and great tastes!) on their list. Located in Bournville, this is one of the area’s most famous, and long-lasting attractions.

Learn about the history of the chocolate bar, and see where the workers were first brought to live and labour in the Bournville village. Plus taste some melted Cadbury’s Dairy Milk and get the chance to buy some great treats for friends back home.

Other great trips, perfect for kids who love animals and plants, are the Dudley Zoo and Castle and Birmingham Nature Centre, home to some endangered species – make sure you ask your hotel to call ahead before visiting, as the centre’s opening hours vary. 

For enjoying your time in and around the city centre, take a look at this guide to family friendly restaurants in Birmingham, many of which are gathered around the Bullring complex bang in the middle.   These include popular chains such as Zizzi and Pomodoro Rosso, which specialize in Italian-style food.