Car Hire Birmingham

A quick guide to Birmingham

Birmingham, the UK’s second city, has long been a mover and shaker. A vital cog during the industrial revolution, it has remained at the centre of UK life, both literally and metaphorically, a business, cultural and sporting powerhouse.

With an enviable location in the heart of England, Birmingham is also a fantastic jumping off point to see what the rest of the country has to offer, once you’ve exhausted all the possibilities here.

Streets of water

There really is so much to see in Birmingham. Spend the day travelling along the city’s many canals and taking in the stunning Victorian architecture of the Gas Street Basin. The canals are lined with modern, vibrant bars and restaurants, so be sure to stop off and grab a bite to eat in sight of the water.

Shop marks

Those craving retail therapy won’t be disappointed by Birmingham as it boasts one of the best city centre shopping experiences in the UK. All the major high street names have a home in Birmingham, as well as high-end designers and smaller local boutiques.

The Bullring shopping centre is one of the most iconic locations in the city, with an imposing structure that dominates the city. Birmingham is also home to the famous Jewellery Quarter, a community of craftspeople fashioning beautiful pieces to order.

The Balti and beyond

Whether you’re looking for fine dining in Michelin star restaurants or wanting to savour rich street food, you’ll certainly be able to satisfy your tastebuds in Birmingham. The city is one of the curry capitals of the UK and is said to be the birthplace of the traditional Balti curry. This famous dish has an area of the city dedicated to its incredible flavours - the ‘Balti Triangle’.

There’s life beyond curry, however, and two of the best recent openings are The Wilderness and Two Cats Kitchen. At the former, playfulness and ambition combine in dishes like monkfish with salted chicken skin and chocolate skulls overflowing with gooey salted caramel. At the latter, there’s an approachable take on New Nordic cuisine with goat’s cheese dumplings or beef tartare with smoked duck and coal oil – fresh, ambitious stuff.

A sporting city

It has been a troubled few years for the famed football teams of the Midlands. Local giants Birmingham City FC have been languishing in the UK’s second tier for some years, often flirting with relegation to the third. Local rivals Aston Villa, long a Premier League team, have also dropped off the pace in recent years, while Wolverhampton Wanderers are just starting to stir again. The three teams have a fierce rivalry, and taking in a match day is highly recommended.

Cricket flourishes in the Midlands too, and there may well be Australians playing at Edgbaston, home to Warwickshire County Cricket Club. There are international fixtures aplenty here, from tests to T20, and cricket has been played at this grand old ground since 1882.

Car hire in Birmingham is the key to unlock not just the city and all within it, but the very best of the surrounding towns and counties too.

Driving in and around Birmingham

The road layout in Birmingham is straightforward, modern, extensive and well signposted, with a ring road, the A4540, serving the centre of the city from the outskirts. Even the famous Spaghetti Junction (more prosaically known as the Gravelly Hill Interchange) is simple to navigate.

Be wary of some one-way systems in the city, as well as trams and bus lanes. There are numerous car parks to use in the city, in addition to pay-and-display parking.

For a sweet treat, take the A441 and head to Cadbury World. A chocaholic’s paradise, you can discover the world of this much-loved British treat and even have a go at making your own, with the ‘chocolatiers experience’.

Once you leave the heart of the city, you’ll find that Birmingham is well connected to the rest of the UK. Leave the city via the M6 and travel north to the vibrant city of Manchester. Alternatively, head to London by hopping on the M6 in the opposite direction and then joining the M1.

Speed limits vary in the UK depending on the type of road, however when travelling on the motorway the speed limit is 112km/h. Speed cameras are widely used throughout the UK, and on major routes you’ll find variable speed limits in place so it’s important to pay close attention to the signs to avoid incurring a fine.

For more information about driving in and around Birmingham and the UK, and the rules you need to follow, look online.