http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19217
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.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19217 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15485
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.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15485 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15484 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15484 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15483 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15483 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15482
Opening Times:
Open from 31st March to 28th October
Tuesday to Sunday 11.30am - 4pm
Closed Mondays except Bank Holidays]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15482 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15481
There a few galleries, shops and showrooms that are also worth a visit.

You don't feel like you're in Brum when you visit this place, which for most people is a good thing.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15481 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15480
As with the Anchor, this isn't a cosy gastro pub, but a genuine old fashioned Brummy boozer. In no ways rough, but probably not somewhere to take a date. Authenticity is a real rareity in Brum though, so this place should be appreciated by those who appreciate these kinds of places. If that makes sense.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15480 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15479
This is not some National Trust pub, but a proper old fashioned Brummy boozer. Don't expect to be seduced first time. This is the kind of genuine and authentic pub rarely found in the city. Worth a visit.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15479 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15478 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15478 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15477 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15477 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15476
Several acres of charming gardens and glass houses in the grounds of an old Victorian house. Adjacent to a small lake and woodland in the heart of Edgbaston. Absolutely delightful.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15476 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15474
The pub serves Oakham's award-winning real ales, guest ales from the region and across the country and imported bottled beers from around the world. Authentic freshly cooked Thai food is served from 12 noon-2.30pm and 5.30-10pm Tuesday to Sunday.

One of Birmingham's true gems.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15474 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15450
For the quality of food, prices are very reasonable.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15450 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15449
It's balti food aimed more at brown people - of which I am one, so when you pop in you will see the place is usually rammed full of desi families.

Worth going just to check out the chairs.

No Chicken Tikka Massala here. Just proper Kashmiri cusine. I recommend the Achari Chicken with Chilli naan bread.

Only downside is that the portions aren't great.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15449 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12777
Advance booking is recommended!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12777 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12612
It is unprepossessing from the outside (the bog standard 'post-modern' architecture, all atriums and shopping-mall sheen, betraying the fact that it shares its premises with the 'International Convention Centre') but the perception is transformed on entering the auditorium itself: a vast, arresting horse-shoe of red, silver and gold.

The acoustic in the hall is truly astonishing and is probably best experienced at an orchestral concert by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) who, post-Simon Rattle, are continuing to make great music under the less frizzy-haired but still highly dynamic directorship of Sakari Oramo.

The orchestra has adopted the highly civilised practice of giving midweek matinee repeats of their evening concerts. These are ideal for layabouts (like me), anyone at a loose end in Birmingham (difficult concept to grasp, I know); and, especially and splendidly, pensioners.

From my balcony seat eyrie the rows of white perms in the stalls below looked like the little knots on a candlewick dressing gown; and a slight but clearly discernible aroma of Murray Mints hung limpidly in the air.

A slight gripe is that, for these matinees, the blokes in the orchestra dress in ordinary business suits - as if they had just strolled in from the Heating and Ventilating Contractors (Midlands Branch) Annual Conference across the way. Obviously the full penguin suit is not really on for an afternoon gig so I'm not quite sure what the answer to this sartorial conundrum is. Something like a Seinfeldian 'puffy shirt' would get my vote.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12612 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12387
Easily the most important of recent cultural heritage about the city, since it's one of Birmingham's very few claims to international fame. The city has a long way to go to catch up with the likes of London, Manchester and Glasgow in terms of self belief, culture and progress, but if it gets more of the likes of the CBSO as home grown talent, then it will go a long way.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12387 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12294 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12294 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12293 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12293 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11310
Very good selection of fresh fish, delivered daily, and the chips are cooked to perfection, hot, dry and crisp. Sometimes have to queue but always worth the wait.
In fact the f & c are so good that the "Westlife" boy band called in recently. They didn't sing for their supper but did enjoy it and agreed to have their photo on the wall where it still hangs.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11310