As the second largest UK city, Birmingham in the Midlands is centrally located and very easy to get to from all directions. Both Birmingham itself and the Edgbaston suburb both have good transport links and a wide range of accommodation options for visitors to the area. If you’re attending a Magic: The Gathering event in Birmingham or Edgbaston, then read on for some information to help you enjoy your stay.
Birmingham was a city of significant historical importance during the industrial revolution. It was where the first ever working steam engine was built and also the anchor for the Titanic. Now it is famous for its vibrant nightlife and its culture. It is known as the home of heavy metal and has witnessed the birth of groups such as Black Sabbath, The Streets, Wizzard and UB40.
Birmingham is also the home town of Steven Knight for any “Peaky Blinders” fans out there. Knight also co-created the classic game show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” and has also built the Digbeth Loc film and television studio complex in the city (find it at 158 Fazeley Street, Digbeth, Birmingham, B5 5RT).
Travelling to Birmingham and Edgbaston
A comprehensive rail service links the city centre to the airport and also to some of the major towns and cities in England. London is just a 2-hour rail journey away while Manchester is a journey time of 2 hours and 40 minutes. With the right train, the journey time by rail can be a little over 2 hours from Cardiff to the centre of Birmingham.
To get from the centre of Birmingham to Edgbaston by public transport you will have to take a bus as there are no train stations or Metro Tram stops nearby. You could, of course, walk if you’re feeling energetic but it would take at least 40 minutes. The National Express station (at Mill Lane, Birmingham B5 6DD) offers a good service on bus routes 45 and 47, which stop closest to the Edgbaston Stadium, but routes 61 and 63 are alternatives that will drop you about a 5-minute walk away. Edgbaston Stadium is a 20-minute journey by bus from the centre of Birmingham.
If you prefer to travel by road, the M1 is nearby. This links Birmingham to the rest of England via the M6, including the toll road, the M5, and the M40 and M42. A car journey from Manchester will take around 2 hours, while London is around 2 hours 30 minutes with good traffic. Be aware that there are congestion charges in Birmingham and also an Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). This operates 24 hours a day every day of the year. Watch out for the road signs that alert drivers to the “Clean Air Zone”. It’s simple to pay the relevant Clean Air Zone charge online. Edgbaston Stadium is not in the Clean Air Zone but you mat have to drive through the zone en-route.
When parking at Edgbaston Stadium use postcode B5 7QU in your Sat Nav to find the car park. Note that parking is on a first-come first-served basis but you can pre-register for parking at Edgbaston. We’d recommend always checking the parking situation with the venue before the events.
Accommodation options in Birmingham
If you are travelling a good distance to Birmingham, then you may be thinking about staying overnight or longer. Whether you prefer a hotel, a B&B or even an Airbnb for a few nights, you will find plenty to choose from in the centre of Birmingham and the surrounding areas. The widest choice of hotels is in the city centre with something to suit every budget, although prices vary across all hotels depending on your time of travel. Here are just a few options to check out:
EasyHotel Birmingham at 81-91 John Bright Street, Birmingham B1 1BL – For a budget-friendly hotel, with a central location that offers easy access to the railway station, this hotel is a great choice. The air-conditioned rooms have all of the amenities you need for a comfortable stay.
The Moseley Arms at 105 Ravenhurst Street, Birmingham B12 0HB – This charming pub, just a short drive south of the centre of Birmingham, offers B&B accommodation. It also benefits from plenty of free parking, is close to the train station, and closer to Edgbaston Stadium.
Holiday Inn Express at 1 Snow Hill Plaza St Chads, Queensway, B4 6HY is convenient if you’re arriving at Birmingham Snow Hill train station. Plus the hotel sometimes offers a free breakfast.
Hotel Ibis at 1 Great Colmore Street, B15 2AP is one of the closest of the budget chains to Edgbaston Stadium but still a 30 minute walk. It’s conveniently located if you want to visits some of Birmingham’s main attractions
Airbnb – If you are looking to stay for more than one night, or travelling in a group to attend a MTG event in Birmingham, then an Airbnb might be a good accommodation choice. There are a number of places to choose from, either in the city centre or in Edgbaston if you would prefer to be outside the city centre.
You will also find that all the major hotel groups have at least one hotel in their chain located in the city centre or on the outskirts. Hilton, Crowne Plaza and Radisson Blu are all options if you want a bit more comfort than the budget hotels.
Eating out in Birmingham
Birmingham is a fantastic city when it comes to options for eating out, and you will find no shortage of different cuisines on offer. Whether you prefer a familiar chain restaurant or like to try something a little different you will be spoilt for choice. Here is just a sample of what is on offer:
Otto Pizza at 14 Caroline Street, Birmingham B3 1TR – Pizza is a popular choice for most people, and whilst the menu at Otto Pizza may seem a little small, it has all the flavour to pack a big punch. Traditional wood-fired pizzas and sharing plates made using local ingredients are the mainstay of their menu and this is a very popular place to eat.
Yakinori Selly Oak at 520A, Bristol Road, Birmingham B29 6BD – An independent Japanese restaurant that proves you don’t have to spend a lot to get fantastic, authentic dishes. The menu even features a create your own Poke bowl option for those who like to be creative.
Tiger Bites Pig at 34 Stephenson Street, Birmingham B2 4BH – This Pan-Asian restaurant bills itself as the place to be for Bao, Bowls and Beer. The menu might be small, but the food is authentic with every element made in-house.
Things to do in Birmingham
As well as attending a Magic: The Gathering Birmingham event, you will find plenty to entertain you in and around Birmingham.
The Lapworth Museum of Geology in the Aston Webb Building at Birmingham University, B15 2TT - Located on the university campus at Edgbaston, this free to visit museum is a must for those who are interested in geology and natural history. It houses a superb collection of geological artefacts.
Sarehole Mill and Gardens at Cole Bank Road, Birmingham B13 0BD - This 250 year old watermill is a popular destination with fans of JRR Tolkien. The author grew up near the mill and its buildings and surroundings are said to have inspired his work and creation of Middle Earth. Every September it plays host to the Middle Earth Festival.
Cadbury World at 69 Linden Road, Birmingham B30 1JR - For all chocolate lovers a trip to Cadbury World is an absolute must whilst staying in Birmingham. Tickets are not cheap but the attraction is well set out to ensure that visitors get real value for money and don’t miss any of the different things there are to see and do - well worth a visit.
Peaky Blinders Tour - One final thing that you simply cannot miss in Birmingham is the chance to take in something Peaky Blinders-themed, and a tour is a great choice. Visit parts of the city associated with the gangs that inspired the popular TV series.
Comments