Other activities

For those interested in the arts, there are numerous galleries, concert venues, theatres (including nearby Stratford-upon-Avon), museums and cinemas to keep you entertained.

The Symphony Hall, with its world class acoustics, hosts a wide range of classical, jazz, folk, rock, pop and world music, as does the Town Hall, which recently reopened after extensive refurbishment.

Big name bands, DJs and comedy acts frequently appear before sell-out crowds at the NIA, NEC or Academy, while a typical night in the pubs and bars of Digbeth, Moseley or Kings Heath might throw up anything from an up-and-coming indie group to a world famous DJ or hip-hop artist.

The NEC also hosts major events of all kinds, including the Clothes Show Live, BBC Good Food Show and Autosport International, as well as cultural tours by groups such as Cirque du Soleil.

If you simply want to shop, Birmingham offers boutiques, arcades, exclusive outlets such as Harvey Nichols and Selfridges, plus some of the best shopping in Europe at the Bullring.