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Birmingham
Right in the heart of England, surrounded by picturesque villages and green landscapes, Birmingham has a wealthy historic heritage. This second largest town of England is also dynamic and cosmopolitan, and offers entertaining attractions for the whole family. Proud of their town, its canals, cultural activities and mixed society, the inhabitants of Birmingham will show you quite a few secrets on « Brum » as it’s known here. Come rain or shine, the town is a play area for the family with themes such as jewellery, sport, chocolate, thrills or even gastronomy… Young and old can throw caution to the wind and paint the town red!
To discover, to understand, to wonder, and enjoy oneself, to marvel…So many entertaining opportunities to be enjoyed by the WHOLE FAMILY and which can be reached from your hotel in Birmingham.
Novotel Birmingham Airport
500 000
Centenary Square was built with more than half a million bricks, all laid by hand!
100
Birmingham is famous for its « Balti », a spicy dish from Kashmir. You can try this dish in over 100 restaurants all over town.
55
The canals of Birmingham come to a total length of 55 km. This is why the town was once baptised « canal city ».
Museums & Exhibitions
Thinktank-Museum of Science
What happens to our household waste? How do animals adapt to change? How can you unlock the secrets of the human body? All these questions and many others are answered in this museum designed to make the sciences accessible to everyone and help us understand the world we live in. In workshops and interactive exhibitions, this enchanting place is a must for the whole family.
Curzon Street, Birmingham – Tel. : (+44) 121 202 2222
Every day from 10.00 to 17.00.
Cadbury World
From the cocoa harvest to the manufacture of chocolate, this is a must for gourmets everywhere. Education, games and entertainments all feature in the different activities on offer for children and their parents, ranging from a visit to the chocolate factory, the discovery of the Aztec and Maya civilisations, making your own chocolate masterpiece and hearing the history of the famous Cadbury chocolates, to enjoying the outdoor games … Not forgetting the chocolate shop!
Linden Road, Bournville, Birmingham – Tel. : (+44) 845 450 3599
Every day from 9.00 to 17.00. (Phone for opening hours according to the seasons).
The Museum of the Jewellery Quarter
Imagine a jewellery workshop that closed in 1981 and was conserved identically from the last day of production… The museum is the opportunity to discover one of the specialities of Birmingham because most of the jewels manufactured in England come from one of the 100 or so workshops of the town. Thanks to modern multimedia presentation techniques as well as the traditional tools exhibited, the whole family can learn the manufacturing techniques of the most beautiful jewels. 200 years of jewellery know-how at your fingertips!
75-79 Vyse Street, Hockley, Birmingham – Tel. : (+44) 121 554 3598
Tuesday to Sunday, from 11.30 to 16.00.
Zoos, aquariums, parks and gardens
National Sea Life Centre
From the spring of a river to the depths of the oceans, the Sea Life Centre initiates the general public in the colourful marvels of the aquatic world, taking the whole family on a submarine journey of discovery of giant tortoises, sharks and tropical fish … The glass tunnel allows you to take a walk in the middle of the ocean, through a basin of more than a million litres of water and numerous aquariums. The National Sea Life Centre is particularly appreciated by children.
The Water’s Edge, Brindley Place, Birmingham – Tel. : (+44) 121 643 6777
Every day from 10.00 to 17.00.
Bodenham Arboretum and Earth Centre
A restful, reviving and refreshing visit to the country of mother nature: the arboretum houses more than 2700 species of trees, important fauna and flora, lakes, a farm where the children can come close to the newborn spring animals, and an ecology and environment centre where you can eat as well. The paths laid out for walks, benches arranged to admire the landscape, all add up to complete the unique character of this amazing place.
Bodenham Arboretum and Earth Centre, Wolverley – Tel. : (+44) 156 285 2444
Every day from 11.00 to 17.00.
Birmingham Nature Centre
Having shifted its purpose in favour of the preservation of threatened species, the Centre is the unique opportunity to approach specimens of reptiles, pandas or very rare lemurs. For children, it’s also the ideal place to make friends with the farm animals, and it reminds the whole family of the need to protect the biodiversity of our planet.
Pershore Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham – Tel. : (+44) 121 471 7775
April to October, every day from 10.00 to 17.00. November to March, from 10.00 to 16.00.
Kids’voyage’s special treats
Thinktank-Planetarium
Who hasn’t dreamed of exploring space and the planets that encircle us? Thanks to one of the most advanced projection systems in the world, the Birmingham Planetarium takes the whole family on an extraordinary journey. The Planetarium is a place of leisure and relaxation for children and their parents, as well as being an educational centre where you get to know more about the universe around us. Thousands of amazing images that will fill the dreams of budding astronauts …
Curzon Street, Birmingham – Tel. : (+44) 121 202 2222
Opening times vary according to the seasons.
Drayton Manor Park
Guaranteed thrills for the whole family! Drayton Manor Park actually has the most impressive and original fairground attractions in the country. The attractions are suited to all ages and come complete with a zoo that houses more than 100 species from all five continents. The whole family will travel from one merry-go-round to the other, from medieval times to the era of the pirates, not forgetting the Far West…
Drayton Manor Park, Tamworth, Staffordshire – Tel. : (+44) 844 472 1950
Every day from 9.00 to 18.00.
The West Midland Safari and Leisure Park
Today, the whole family goes on safari! From on board the family car, the children will discover lions, elephants, zebras and rhinoceroses, living in their natural habitat in a wildlife reserve that’s often full of newborn animals. You can also take a bus and feed the animals with food specially selected for the park animals. Having looked at the park animals, fairground rides and family attractions are at your disposal to complete this full and exotic day.
West Midland Safari and Leisure Park, Spring Grove, Bewdley, Worcestershire – Tel. : (+44) 129 940 2114
From 9 February to 7 November, every day from 10.00 to 18.00. (Phone for opening hours according to the seasons).
Good places for a family meal:
Adil
The restaurant boasts being the first, in 1977, to import the now famous Balti cuisine into Great Britain. A dish not to be missed in Birmingham. Kids’ menus also available.
148-150 Stoney Lane, Sparbrook, Birmingham – Tel. : (+44) 121 449 0335
Monday to Friday from 11.30 to 14.30, and from 16.30 to mid-night. Saturday and Sunday from 12.00 to mid-night.
Wagamama
This restaurant offers an eclectic Asian cuisine. Your order is taken electronically and its preparation begins instantly. Special diets and children are also catered for.
New Street, The Bullring, Birmingham – Tel. : (+44) 121 633 3033
Monday to Saturday from 12.00 to 23.00, and Sunday from 12.00 to 22.00.
Arden Oak Harvester
Here’s the restaurant with the friendly family atmosphere. Grills and smoked meals are reasonably priced and appeal to children and parents alike. Kids’ menu available.
Arden Oak Road, Birmingham – Tel. : (+44) 121 743 3438
Every day.
KIDS' VOYAGE travel guides and NOVOTEL hotels wish you an excellent stay in Birmingham.