Car Hire Birmingham

Written by Donna on December 31, 2009

If you only ever pass through (or around) Birmingham whilst travelling between the north and south, or east and west, then it is time to explore the UK’s second largest city and the West Midlands.

Located in the heart of England, Birmingham’s centre is a shopper’s paradise with the infamous Bullring Shopping Centre, The Mail Box and markets, but add a hire car and the city’s surrounding countryside is beautiful!

Birmingham International Airport is eight miles to the east of the city centre and is situated close to the motorway network including the M1, M6, M6 Toll, M40 and M5. Scheduled and charter flights fly in and out of Birmingham Airport with Coventry Airport just 20 miles further and offering an excellent alternative with an extensive choice of low cost flights. Car hire can be collected at either Birmingham or Coventry airports with the Birmingham car rental desks being located in the Millennium Link Building between Terminals One and Two.

Birmingham is a modern city but as an industrial hub and central location in England, is steeped in history. There are many museums, art galleries and events, with the largest exhibition centre being adjacent to Birmingham Airport, the NEC (National Exhibition Centre). Nightlife in Birmingham is cultural with productions at the Alexandra Theatre and Birmingham Repertory Theatre or you can choose to go to the Opera, the Symphony Orchestra or the Ballet.

Football fanatics can watch either Aston Villa or Birmingham City play, with cricket lovers spending the summer at Edgbaston, home of Warwickshire County Cricket. Cadbury World and Alton Towers Theme Parks are great attractions for all the family to enjoy staying in Birmingham and are easy to drive to by hire.

Hiring a car in Birmingham opens up a world of adventure! Stratford upon Avon is 50 miles from the city where you can visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace on Henley Street, or Anne Hathaway’s Cottage in nearby Shottery. Ice cream in Henley on Arden is a favourite of mine! Warwick Castle is about 45 minutes drive from Birmingham and is a magnificent location and well tendered attraction where you can retrace the steps of those many hundreds of years ago.

Another favourite is walking along the canals which lead from Birmingham to Tipton and then onto Wolverhampton. Take a stroll, walk the dog, cycle along the towpaths or fish, visit the Gas Street Basin or try your hand at boating.

For lovely countryside, head to the Lickey Hills Country Park for views from Beacon Hill of Birmingham and the Black Country, or to the wonderful Malvern Hills and Commons which are excellent for orienteering, hang gliding, mountain biking, kite flying, walking and horse riding.