5 Reasons to Bring Yourself to Birmingham this summer

Birmingham might be famous for its historic attractions and music scene but read on to find out why you really need to visit the city this summer.

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Where are you going this summer?

Picking the right destination is never easy, with you often having to simply choose a place that annoys the least number of people. So why not avoid this problem and pick somewhere that has it all.

Birmingham is the second city of Britain, with a range of outstanding attractions and events to match its podium reputation. The city attracts millions of visitors all year round due to its vibrant culture and terrific conference venues, with this number added to in the summer months by the tourists who flock to the Midlands.

With so much already on offer, read on to find out about the five best things that will draw you to Birmingham this summer.

Gardeners' World Live - 12th-16th June

The BBC's popular gardening show is coming to Birmingham once again this summer from the mid-June.

Gardeners' World Live will see top horticulture professionals and enthusiasts descend on the NEC Birmingham to attend one of the city's most popular shows. Highlights across the four days include the spectacular Show Gardens and the florist shoot-out in the much anticipated Flower Box competition. Diarmund Gavin, Monty Don and a range of other BBC experts will also be in attendance to answer the questions and gardening queries of visitors to the live event.

Birmingham International Jazz & Blues Festival - 5th-14th June

Holidaymakers visiting Birmingham this July will be able to enjoy the serenading summer sounds of jazz and blues. This year's event is set to be bigger than ever, with 170 shows taking place in various pubs, clubs and music venues across the city for 9 days.

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The British Jazz awards are also returning to Birmingham this summer, meaning you could be rubbing shoulders with the very best in UK music during the festival.

Brindleyplace Film Festival - 8th-14th July

Returning by popular demand, the Brindleyplace Film Festival provides silver screen fun for all the family. This week long summer event screens films every day, with this year's 'Momentous Movies' theme seeing classics such as Breakfast At Tiffany's and The Lion King on the programme.

Birmingham Fest - 12th-28th July

Birmingham Fest is a popular showcase where artists and production companies can exhibit their work and talents.

Taking place in venues around the city, visitors can enjoy shows and performances by many top comedians, theatre actors and stage performers before they head up to the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh. With so much to see and do, art lovers should stay at the Comfort Inn in Birmingham to make the most of the full-day programmes.

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Birmingham Chilli Festival - 19th-20th July

Add some spice into you summer holiday in the Midlands at this year's Birmingham Chilli Festival.  Celebrating all things chilli, tourists can sample many different varieties as well as learning about the fascinating pepper. The highlight of the festival will take place on Saturday afternoon at the legendary Chilli Eating Competition, where the bravest competitors pit their tastebuds against the hottest peppers around.

What do you plan to do in Birmingham this summer?

-- This guest post was written by Gareth Anderson

The Albert Dock Pt 2

A few days after my tour of the Albert Dock Pt 1, I set off to see more of the sights in this historic area.

I love the juxtaposition of old and new around the Albert Dock

If you ever get the chance to visit the Museum of Liverpool, I highly recommend it! The exhibits are so well done, it kept me fascinated the entire time. The story of the city starts out all the way back in the Ice Age, and shows how Liverpool went from being a literal pool to the river port city it is today. Along the way I learned about the importance of the docks, and how the revolutionary Liverpool Overhead Railway began. I watched dramatized interviews with a dockhand, carter, Victorian philanthropist, canteen manageress, and more. The second floor features a chronological display of artifacts and reconstructions from the Stone Age to current day. There are also a couple of exhibitions from local artists. The top floor has a mishmash of different aspects of Liverpool, from the Beatles to the world-famous football teams. I wandered around in there for hours, before my stomach finally made its wishes known.

The restaurant I chose to grace with my presence was The Pumphouse, a brick structure with beautiful interiors, warm and homey. It was a bit confusing trying to order, because I didn't realize that I was supposed to find my table number, then order at the bar. I had to ask a lady at the bar and she kindly showed the way.


I ordered the ploughman's lunch to see how it compared to the version I made at home in the States. It was marvelous! Potted British ham hock, Tickler Devon Cheddar and Shropshire Blue cheese, piccalilli, organic bloomer, garden salad, and new potato salad. All for just £8.45! The pale wedges of cheese were rich and snapped apart just right. The Shropshire was pungent, having adventures on my tongue. The soft bread felt warm in my hands. The flavors balanced beautifully: strong cheese, salty ham, cool and creamy potato salad, with bright yellow, pucker-worthy piccalilli that stuck at the back of my throat.


Next up on my Albert Dock itinerary was the Merseyside Maritime Museum. In the exhibit on the battle of the Atlantic, I read about a brave citizen who shot down a Nazi plane, and Liverpool's suffering during the Blitz (4,000 dead). Luke told me about the merchant navy when we toured the docks; now I learned more about them and saw a model of a cramped ASDIC hut. I read about the tragic sinking of the City of Benares or "children's ship," the Titanic, Lusitania, and the Empress of Ireland. This so-called "forgotten empress" lost over 1,000 lives, more than the famous Titanic or Lusitania. I saw a maid's outfit worn on the night of the Titanic's sinking, and the original builder's model of ship. Strange how these tragedies transfix our imaginations. There's something so romantic about death, though we shy away from it in our everyday lives.

By the way, the Titanic set sail and the Beatles split up on my birthday. Is that some kind of omen? I hope not.


I stayed in the museum for less than an hour, as it was closing, then went back to Moorfield Station. It wasn't an easy thing to find. I was following the signs, but they weren't on every street corner, so I must have walked past the right street several times. I kept backtracking but, after walking over half of Liverpool, I finally got up the gumption to ask somebody. They pointed me one street over, and from there on it was easy.

Managing the railway and tourist sites, despite the small hiccoughs, was one of the most empowering things I've ever done. It gave me a real sense of achievement. That's what travel is about, isn't it? Discovering what you're capable of, what God is capable of, and going further and further out on the limb to see how far grace extends. This was just a tiny nibble--common, everyday public transport with clearly marked signs, but it was more than I'd ever done by myself. When the last turnstile sucked up my ticket and I knew that it was plain sailing back to my friends' house, I felt a real sense of victory.

Important Places To Travel By Train In London

London is one the most beautiful and famous tourist destinations in the world, blessed with attractive and exciting tourist locations. A family holiday or business visit guarantees satisfaction, excitement, adventure and relaxation. 

The extensive rail network in London is relatively easy to use and can get you to any part of the city. If you wish to travel by train, then you are required to have a ticket or an Oyster card. To get the cheapest train tickets, you need to make an advanced booking from a travel agent. 

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Below are some of the important places you can travel by train in London:

The London Eye: The London Eye is the most visited tourist site in the city of London. It is situated by the banks of River Thames. It was named "The London Eye" because of the location of a giant Ferris wheel in the center. This site was built in 1951 primarily for the festive of Britain. The London Eye attracts over 3.5 million tourists every year.

Hampton Court Palace: The magnificent Hampton Court Palace is located near Central line. It will take you an average of thirty minutes to get there by train. You can also opt to get there by boat through river Thames. A stroll across the beautiful and serene gardens surrounding the palace will give you a relaxed feeling. A visit to the famous maze will give you the thrill of a lifetime.

British Museum: This museum is one of the world's most historical and greatest museums. It contains a large collection of historical artifacts. 

Science Museum: The Science Museum is a top tourist attraction in London. This museum is part of the National Museum of Science and History and hosts a lot of inventions and scientific items. If you have an eye for science, you will definitely enjoy visiting this museum.

Buckingham Palace: Buckingham Palace is a popular tourist site in London. This palace has been used as a Royal residence since the 18th century, and still accommodates the Royal family. There are numerous year-round exhibitions and ceremonies conducted in the palace. It is advised to visit during the summer so as to experience the full bloom of the surrounding scene.

Windsor Castle: The medieval Windsor Castle was built hundreds of years back to show its link with the Royal family of Britain. It is regarded as one of the most used places in Europe's history because it was used by many of England's monarchy. The history of this castle dates back to the times of William the Conqueror. 

Greenwich: You can catch a train and visit the famous Cutty Sark, tour around the observatory, and visit the popular Maritime museum.

This relaxing and exotic journey through the cheapest train tickets to London will have you experiencing the real adventure of travelling by train in the most incredible London locations. Train transport in London is comfortable, affordable and easily accessible. There is something for everyone in this great city.

The pick of UK food festivals this summer

Here is a guest post written by Kat Prescott, someone who loves British food almost as much as I do!

My mouth waters at the thought of the summer ahead. It’s sweet strawberries, tart gooseberries and juicy stone fruit I look forward to the most, as well as salads overflowing with lettuce, cress and radishes at their peak.

By Rept0n1x (Own work) [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0], via Wikimedia Commons

In fact, I’m so in love with the UK’s summer food bounty that I always feel a big pang of regret as I jet off for my hols. So this year I’ve decided to stay put, and splurge instead on an indulgent staycation built around one of the UK’s very fine summer food festivals.

All I need to do is secure a luxury B&B booking, hire a car, get my Allianz Global Assistance Single Trip Insurance and then I can just pack my bag and go. So why is it taking me so much time to sort it out? The trouble is that there are so many brilliant food festivals to choose from in the UK this summer – and this is just my shortlist:

• Grillstock Manchester, 8–9 June 2013 – It’s only appropriate that this UK summer of food begins with Manchester’s weekend of barbeque bliss. It’s billed as a celebration of “meat, music and mayhem”, all perfectly matched with top British craft beers and a healthy dose of Americana, too. Perfection.

Discover London's trendiest village hotspots

London is famous for its nightlife, its restaurants and tourist attractions. But if you want to experience the real London, head for these achingly cool villages...

Sure, the Tower of London is great, the National Gallery has all those pictures...but if you want a slice of the real London then make some space on your itinerary to visit some of these cool London villages.

Stoke Newington N16

Stoke Newington (or 'Stokie' as it’s affectionately known by the locals) is a truly distinctive place to visit. With loads of independent cafes, boutiques and bars on the main streets, you'll be spoilt for choice.

Start at Church Street and shop cute little vintage gems and super hip indie labels before enjoying some relaxed Italian cuisine at Homa.  If the sun is shining you can dine outside on the terrace and show off your new Ray Bans.