local attractions: things to do near birmingham airport
If you have a stop over at birmingham airport and don't want to spend it in a birmingham airport lounge or a birmingham airport hotel, you might consider spending some time at one of the local attractions - the things to do near to birmingham airport.
Birmingham has a fascinating history and world-class cultrural scene, combined with superb shoping, major international events and exhibitions, great nightlife and award-winning restaurants. Things to do close to birmingham airport include the NEC (or national exhibition centre) - there might be an exhibition or even an event such as a motor show, homes show, it even hosts the world renowned Crufts dog show, plus the 'NEC Arena' hosts concerts for the worlds top rock and pop artists.
Other great local attractions include cadburys world and warwick castle and a whole host of other things to do. We have included outline details below (in alphabetical order), with more details on separate pages, including how far they are from the airport and how you would get there. Click on the name of the attraction to find out more:
Aston Hall: this country house museum houses furniture collections, pre-19th century British paintings, important textiles, silver and other furnishings. It is less than 7 miles from birmingham airport.
Barber Institute: one of the world's finest small galleries. Exhibitions, concert programme, lectures and family events take place round the year. It is 3 miles from birmingham city centre.
Birmingham Annual Events: details of the events held in Birmingham each year.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens: Open to the public since 1832, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, provide a relaxing green escape close to the city centre and around 25 minutes from birmingham airport.
Birmingham Business Services: if you are a business and you need some help, click here.
Birmingham Contact Numbers: local numbers you may need, eg hospital, police, tourist information.
Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre: in the city centre and is only 25 minutes from Birmingham airport, the Hippodrome hosts musicals, ballet, opera, comedy and shows for children.
Birmingham Jewellery Quarter: the largest jewellery making centre in Europe, in addition to jewellery and window shopping, attractions within the Jewellery Quarter include The Birmingham Mint and the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter.
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery: home to the world's largest collection of Pre-Raphaelite art and an outstanding collection of glass and ceramics.
Birmingham National Exhibition Centre (NEC): right next to the airport and connected via a rail link, the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre, or NEC, is the busiest exhibition centre in Europe. The NEC stages more than 180 exhibitions each year, ranging from world-famous public shows such as Crufts Dog Show and the British International Motor Show to international trade exhibitions such as IPEX and Spring Fair, Birmingham.
Birmingham Shopping: with over 700 shops, this compact city is easy to get around and ideal for a quick spot of retail therapy
Birmingham Symphony Hall: in the city centre and is only 25 minutes from Birmingham airport, the symphony hall hosts music from classical to jazz, world music, folk, rock and pop and also features stand-up comedy.
Birmingham Travel: where to find information if you want to travel around birmingham
Cadbury World: located in Bourneville, near Birmingham city centre and around 40 minutes from the airport is Cadbury World, the only purpose built visitor centre in the UK devoted entirely to chocolate Cadbury's make the UK's favourite chocolate, and you'll get to try lots of it.
Ikon Gallery: the Ikon Gallery Birmingham is said to have 'the best cutting-edge modern art outside London'. It is in the centre of Birmingham.
National Indoor Arena (NIA): the national indoor arena (or NIA) birmingham, is the venue of lots of British indoor sporting events, plus rock, pop and classical concerts, entertainment and conferences and exhibitions. It is in the centre of birmingham.
National Sea Life Centre: the UK's first and largest inland sea life centre, featuring over 3,000 sea creatures.
Soho House: the Soho House Museum Birmingham was the residence of Matthew Boulton, an industrialist and one of Birmingham's most famous sons. It is in a suburb of birmingham.
Think Tank: Thinktank is like no museum you've ever seen before. It offers a very original way of looking at the past, the present and the future. It is in the centre of birmingham.
Warwick Castle: in the historic town of Warwick, 26 miles from birmingham airport (40 minutes by car), is the medieval Warwick Castle. Walk around the grounds, towers, dungeons and staterooms and re-live a thousand years of history.
