november-2010

†PER COUNTRY PER CAPITA
*PRICES QUOTED ARE FOR A RETURN TICKET IN B.LIGHT ECONOMY FROM OR TO BRUSSELS, ALL TAXES AND FEES INCLUDED, IF BOOKED ON BRUSSELSAIRLINES.COM. TICKETS ARE NOT CHANGEABLE, NOR REFUNDABLE. PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE
UNITED KINGDOM Population 61,284,806 Currency British Pound (GBP) GDP
BIRMINGHAM
† €25,090 Dialling code +44
Airport code BHX Flight frequency Five times daily Average temp (Nov) 6°C
Birmingham’s charms
derive from diversity: its
inhabitants represent
over a hundred nations.
Architecturally, the city is
as defi ned by 21st-century
curves (Selfridges) as
faded 18th-century
grandeur (Soho House).
And culturally, you’ll fi nd
everything from heavy
metal to ballet. Keith
Gabriel is our city guide
CITY
Both high-rollers and high
streeters will find something of
interest in a city centre that boasts
cafés, canals and cathedrals in
a surprisingly compact area.
CULTURE As much of a local institution
as the Rotunda building, the Frankfurt
Christmas Market and Craft Fair
(Victoria Square and New Street) visits
the city from 18 November and is an
ideal place to get your Christmas
shopping started. Local artisans sell
their beautifully crafted wares, while
other traders display exotic handicrafts
from further afield.
EAT and drink your way around the
market with glühwein (German mulled
wine), bratwurst and (best of all) grilled
Prager schinken (Prague ham).
SLEEP For a stay that’s smart,
contemporary and not affiliated with
a multinational, try the apartments at
City Nites (2 Edward Street, tel. (0)121
233 1155, city-nites.com, rooms from
€77/£65). They’re footsteps away from
the National Indoor Arena and Brindley
Place, the popular canalside bar and
restaurant haunt.
TIP If you’re travelling in the evening,
start your train journey after 6.30pm: a
Super Off-Peak Day Return is €2.50/£2
– well worth it if you’re travelling from
the centre to Sutton Coldfield, Solihull,
Hall Green or Selly Oak.
INFO
Birmingham
International
Airport is 13km
southeast of the
city.
Train The free
SkyRail takes you
to Birmingham
International train
station; from there
it’s 10-15 minutes
to Birmingham
New Street, costing
€3,60/£3.10 for
a one-way ticket.
Bus The 900 bus
(which accepts
euros) costs €2/
£1.70. Or buy an
adult Daysaver to
travel all day on all
National Express
West Midlands
buses for €5/£3.50.
Taxi A 30-minute
black cab ride to
the centre costs
€28/£23.
Tourist offi ce
The offi ce is at
The Rotunda (150
New Street, tel.
(0)844 888 3883,
visitbirmingham.
com).
Festive fun: pick up some
presents at the city’s annual
Frankfurt Christmas market
MOSELEY
Moseley’s alternative credentials
are demonstrated by its annual
folk festival, a Buddhist centre and
a beautiful members-only park
spanning 11 acres – a haven for
the creative and spiritually minded.
For those more concerned about
the spirits found behind a bar,
Moseley also boasts an exuberantly
eclectic nightlife.
EAT La Plancha (113 Alcester Road, tel.
(0)121 449 5303) is a Mediterranean
oasis. The food is fresh and flavoursome,
with the chorizo in red wine a reliable
favourite. The atmosphere is perennially
convivial, which may or may not be due
to the proximity of Moseley’s finest
cocktail bar, which is downstairs.
CULTURE Moselele (Woodbridge Road,
moselele.co.uk) is a monthly gathering
in the Patrick Kavanagh pub that
embodies Moseley’s quest for quirk.
Novice and accomplished ukulele
players come together to play tunes
on the musical instrument most readily
associated with 1930s music hall and
movie comedian George Formby – catch
it on 4 November.
SHOP If you’re lacking the necessary
equipment to take part in Moselele, then
Shades Music (214-218 Alcester Road)
should sort you out. This shop is a
treasure trove of musical instruments
from around the globe – if you can’t find
what you want, they’ll order it for you.
ASTON
It may be the home of one of the
city’s three Premier League football
teams, but Aston has a deeper
historic significance. Aston Hall
harks back to Jacobean times, and
many of the city’s most celebrated
musicians have lived in the area.
CULTURE Gambian percussionist Musa
M’boob brings his new band’s inventive
rhythms to The Drum (144 Potters Lane,
19 November), a contemporary arts and
culture centre specialising in African and
African-Caribbean acts.
LATER The Barton Arms (144 High
Street) is home to Birmingham’s best
range of imported bottled beers,
fantastic real ale on tap and, if you’re
feeling peckish, excellent Thai food.
SLEEP The Hotel Campanile (Chester
Street, tel. (0)121 359 3330, campanilebirmingham.co.uk,
rooms from €35/£29)
is a clean, tidy, no frills hotel, with
friendly service and nice views
overlooking the canal.
BIRMINGHAM NEC
■ The NEC, handily located by
Birmingham International rail station,
hosts two big events in November. First
up is the Classic Motor Show (12-14
November, necclassicmotorshow.com),
the grand finale of the classic car scene.
Then the BBC Good Food Show comes to
town (24-28 November, bbcgoodfood
show.com), with a producers’ village,
celebrity chefs and the winner of
Celebrity Masterchef 2010.
€139 *
FROM JUST
RETURN ALL-IN
Fly to Birmingham from
just €139* return all-in.
brusselsairlines.com
Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2010 111