Birmingham has become the UK’s major commercial hub outside of London in recent years, attracting increasing numbers of business and leisure visitors both nationally and internationally . It is the second largest city in the UK and due to its size and diversity, offers a fantastic variety of opportunities and activities to ensure your stay is a success, whatever your reason for visiting.

The city benefits from major exhibition facilities such as the National Exhibition Centre and International Convention Centre, accounting for more than 40% of UK conference trade last year. However, due to this thriving commercial environment there is high demand for hotel rooms throughout the year and hotels often charge high prices for their rooms. There has therefore never been a better time for those on a tight budget to take advantage of the greater value and flexibility frequently offered by serviced apartments. Birmingham also has a modern retail sector providing cutting-edge facilities such as the Bull Ring (the country’s busiest shopping centre) and high-end offerings including Selfridges and Harvey Nicholls, making the city the second most popular place to shop in the country behind London.

Birmingham’s background as both a manufacturing powerhouse during the industrial revolution and a creative centre for scientists, the jewellery trade and students has resulted in a rich history of artwork and engineering that is evident across the city. The Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery displays renowned work by the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and Edward Burne-Jones. For a more indulgent experience, Cadbury World is a visitor attraction that shows the stages of chocolate production, the history of chocolate and the company itself. For those interested in nature, the National Sea Life Centre showcases aquatic and underwater life.

Birmingham has many outdoor attractions such as Sutton Park, Birmingham Botanical Gardens and famously has ‘more canals than Venice.’ Several public squares including Victoria Square and Centenary Square are also used throughout the year for public events and celebrations.

A stay in one of the growing number of serviced apartments in Birmingham, many of which are located centrally, can therefore put you within touching distance of a vast array of business and leisure opportunities to maximise your enjoyment of this great city.