After traveling around the UK I finally made it to Birmingham. Hearing all the "Why go there?" from the Brits it made me want to go there even more.

England's second city does not seem to have a good reputation with British people. After visiting I thought it was great and also seems to have the best hostel in the UK. I can see that Birmingham and the hostel are both overlooked. The hostel had great beds, very clean and very funky decor. The common room is the best I have been to - it has a cinema, nintendo Wii, PlayStation, a small bar with beers from all over the world, books, and is very bright. An outdoor garden with too many plants, I think that is what I like about this place, they go over the top with everything, it is very welcoming.

I stayed in the 'pod' beds they have. They are very clean, you get a great night's sleep, your own reading light, curtains and I am told TVs and iPod stations are soon to be put in. I loved this idea.

What I liked most was the staff. They are very friendly and helpful - even after you have left you can always contact them for help and advice with British travels. There is a very homely feel to this place. The location is great even if the area does not look so good. They are located a street up from the National Express station.

Birmingham is worth visiting even if just for the hostel. But if you speak with the staff they will show you so much to do in and around Birmingham. Definitely an up and coming city and great if you love shopping.

58 Coventry Street, digbeth, Birmingham, B5 5NH 01216430033 www.birminghamcentralbackpackers.com/

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This place is a real oddity. Very old fashioned and mainly inhabited by ageing Poles. Pictures of the (last) Pope abound.

Head downstairs for the great little Polish food store (good vodka and sausages) and the interesting restaurant. This place serves seriously authentic Polish food. Anyone who has eaten Polish food will know that it is an acquired taste, but for those who already know they like it, this place is excellent. Beware - the menu is in Polish and many of the staff do not speak English.

Polish Catholic Centre Social Centre Bordesley StBirmingham
B5 5PH

0121 358 7102

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Simply one of the best video rental shops in the country. They literally have everything you can possibly think of. Brilliant.

Woodbridge Road
Moseley
Birmingham
B13 8EH

Telephone: 01214496000

www.itchybirmingham.co.uk/venue/182912/Cinephilia.html

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Part of much missed old Victorian Central Library and now housed in the new building on Chamberlain Square. Open once a year for City Discovery Day. Worth a visit if you are around the city centre that day.

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