Birmingham: Tourism, shopping and much more!
Located in the West Midlands of England (and about 160 km to London), Birmingham is known as the second-largest city in the UK thanks to its immense population. The city’s name is derived from an Old English word Beormingahām, which refers to the home or settlement of the Beormingas, an ancient tribe in Anglo-Saxon England.
Similar to much of the British Isles, Birmingham features a temperature maritime climate. However, it’s also known as a snowy city due to its high elevation and inland location.
In terms of tourist attractions, the city offers various options. Like the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery with its eye-catching displays of the city’s history and archaeological findings dating back to the Stone Age. Or the National Sea Life Centre with its 60+ exhibits and 2000+ animals which could mean fun for the entire family.
Of course, Birmingham is also a prime destination for anyone more interested in shopping discounts and sales than sea animals…
Birmingham: Map for shopping
Located above New Street Station, Bullring & Grand Central is one of the city’s newest shopping malls. Offering 200+ shopping- and dining options (from Levis and Zara to Burger Kind and the exquisite Lebanese cuisine at Comptoir Libanais), the mall is regarded as one of the UK’s best food hubs due to its collection of bars and eateries.
For something a tad different, try the One Stop Shopping Centre about 4.8 km outside the city centre. With about 60 stores at your disposal, this centre is more akin to a community-oriented retail hub than a shopping mall. Fortunately, you get various reasonably priced stores to try from Boots (the UK’s biggest beauty retailer) and Argos to Heron Foods, Vaping Raven, and more.
You don’t need to travel all the way to London for the ultimate social time. Just try The Arcadian, regardless of whether you’re in the mood for a show, dining or some shopping. With high-profile names like Royal Tea, Dragon Inn, Clonezone and Hey Sugar, it’s no wonder The Arcadian is one of Birmingham’s busiest spots, especially on weekends.
Fine weather in the UK is always good news, and also a perfect reason to try The Summit, one of Birmingham’s best open-air shopping centres. Resembling a European city centre, The Summit offers an enticing collection of retail therapy ranging from Banana Republic and GAP to Taco Mama and even a 16-screen movie theatre.
Finally, the Great Western Arcade in the heart of the city is where smaller retailers can thrive in a fast-paced marketplace. Come check out the specials at Sims Footwear, The Whiskey Shop, Bentleys, and more!
For more promotions and weekly offers, catch up with the latest online catalogues and discount brochures from some of the best shopping centres in Birmingham.