There’s always something happening in Birmingham! On this page we will keep you informed of upcoming events, shows, exhibitions, concerts and much more. Some of these attractions are FREE, click on the links to find out more.
Comedy
If comedy is your thing, check out The Glee Club, where there’s Music and Comedy to suit everyone.
Concerts
So many venues large and small! Birmingham attracts stars from all genres; Jazz, Classical, Blues, Rock, Country. From Cliff Richard to Kasabian, from The Nolans to Deep Purple, we have it all, and all within a few miles of The Madeira. Here are just a few of the venues: NEC, Symphony Hall, O2 Academy, and NIA, just follow the link to see who’s performing. Of course there are too many to list, but if you click on the link at the bottom of this page you should be able to find all the information you need.
Theatre
Birmingham has so much diversity to offer in the way of theatre. From Pub theatre to the Birmingham Royal Ballet to Pantomime. Birmingham Hippodrome with it’s tradition, The Old Rep, presenting lesser known works, The Crescent which has a very ‘interactive’ feel and the acclaimed Birmingham Repertory Theatre, all have varied programmes, click on the links to find out what’s on.
Cadbury World
Just a few minutes from The Madeira Hotel you will find Cadbury World. This is a great tour for kids and adults alike! Things to do include: grow your own cocoa beans, see yourself moulded in chocolate, chase a Creme Egg and loads more. Birmingham’s very own ‘Chocolate Factory’ make a whole range of confectionery from Popcorn to Jelly Babies and a visit to the worlds largest Cadbury shop is a must.
Thinktank
Home to the Science Museum, Digital Planetarium and IMAX cinema. A day spent here is not enough! Check out the latest exhibition in the Museum, there’s always something new! The Planetarium gives a wonderful display of the solar system and then you have IMAX, which shows the latest blockbusters in stunning 3D.
Art Galleries
Birmingham boasts a number of Art Galleries, there’s Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery which is over 120 years old and the building itself is a masterpiece. We also have The Barber Institute of Fine Arts which has a European Gallery including the works of Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso and many more. The Ikon gallery is more contemporary and is ideal to give children their first taste of art. They’ll also love the voice in the lift, which gets higher as you do!
Nature
Again, just a few minutes from the Hotel and situated next to Cannon Hill park (which includes the MAC, comprising a cinema, bar and various exhibitions) we have Birmingham Nature Centre which is home to a wide variety of creatures from Meerkats to Otters. It has a wonderful Children’s Corner with rabbits, sheep and other small animals allowed to roam. It’s most famous and popular residents are the Red Pandas. A little further away (approx 45 minutes) there is Dudley Zoo and Castle. Everything you would expect from a zoo from Giraffes to Penguins but also the grounds are steeped in history, take the children on the tour – it’ll be the most fun history lesson they will ever have. Birmingham also has the National Sea Life Centre with it’s 1 million litre ocean tank housing giant green turtles, sharks and tropical fish. Other displays feature otters, seahorses, sting rays and lobsters. In Harborne (15 minutes from the Hotel) there is the wonderful Botanical Gardens & Glasshouses. Stroll at your leisure through 15 acres of landscaped garden, take a walk around the tropical glasshouses and, on certain days, listen to the Brass Band playing in The Bandstand.
Historical Attractions
The Madeira is ideally placed for visits to the following historical landmarks. In Birmingham we have Aston Hall, a 400 year old listed building, which has just received a £12.5 million makeover. In the Jewellery Quarter, which is well worth visiting, there is a new feature of carefully restored Back to Back houses giving a real insight into how Birmingham’s residents lived back then. 45 minutes away is The Black Country Museum with it’s shops and working trades people from the time of the industrial revolution, enjoy traditional fish and chips and maybe a pint at the Bottle and Glass Inn, (though not at 1930′s prices). Shakespeare’s birthplace, Warwick and Tamworth Castles are all within easy reach of The Madeira.
Shopping
Birmingham City Centre has Bullring shopping centre with 160 stores including Selfridges and Debenhams. Birmingham also has The Pallasades with nearly 100 shops and The Mailbox, a centre of very exclusive stores featuring Emporio Armani, Hugo Boss, Jaeger, Harvey Nicholls and many more. It also has several Bars and Restaurants for the more discerning diner.
So whatever the reason for your visit, there is plenty to see and do in Birmingham. For more information on Birmingham events, theatres, exhibitions and concerts click here.