Car Rental Birmingham, UK

After you pick up your car, you’ll have easy access to the city’s freeways and A-road network. The A4540 is the city’s ring road (known locally as the Middleway), with several of its side roads leading to the city center.

When you’re driving in Birmingham, you’ll have few issues when it comes to finding suitable parking. The city has over 24,000 parking spaces, including multi-story and open air parking lots plus on-street parking.

To access the city center, use the ring road and travel southbound to Belgrave Middleway and Holloway Circus (‘Pagoda Island’) from Bristol Street. Alternatively, you can head northbound to Spring Hill and turn right onto Summer Hill Road.

If you’re going to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) you’ll find it signposted on all major routes. Birmingham’s freeways include the M5, M42 and the M6, which incorporates the 'Spaghetti Junction' or the Gravelly Hill Interchange to give it its official name.

The M6 is the backbone of Britain’s west coast, connecting Birmingham with the northern powerhouses of Manchester and Liverpool. The M1, north of the city, links it with the cities of Nottingham, Sheffield, Leeds, and the Yorkshire region.

If you’re traveling south towards London, the M6 feeds into the M1 and is only a 30-minute drive from the city center. Drivers going on the M6 should be aware that there are toll charges in place in and around Birmingham.

Unlike in most of Europe, driving in the UK is on the left-hand side. Speed limits also vary, dependent on the type of road. On freeways, the speed limit is 70 mph, while single carriage national roads – indicated by a white circle sign with a black diagonal line – are 60 mph. In urban areas, the speed limit is 30 mph, although some built-up zones near schools carry a 20 mph limit.

As the UK’s second-largest city, Birmingham has undergone a stunning reinvention since the turn of the century. It has emerged from its industrial past – perhaps best seen in fictional form in the popular BBC show Peaky Blinders - as a city reborn, with a diverse range of attractions to discover.

Explore the childlike magic of a gigantic chocolate factory, learn the tricks of the trade at Georgian-era jewelry workshops or sample some of the finest Indian restaurants in western Europe when you visit Birmingham.

Back to the future

Once the workshop of the industrial revolution, Birmingham’s infrastructure has radically changed since the 20th century. While the smoky factories and flat caps of the past are long gone, many of the Georgian and Victorian buildings that characterized this period remain and are a delight to behold.

Birmingham’s navigation basin has 100 miles of canals, and you can explore the city’s watery arteries by narrow boat. The hour-long City Heritage tours start at the International Convention Centre moorings and takes you on a meandering tour of what made Birmingham one of the true powerhouses of the early 1900s.

Along the way, you’ll come across the Gas Street Basin, a former hub of the city’s canal freight system, which has become a waterside district full of stylish restaurants and boutique shops.

The city’s jewels

At Birmingham’s Jewelry Museum, you'll see why 40 percent of British jewelry originates in Birmingham. Discover a part of the city that has gold and precious stones in its blood and step back in time to learn how Birmingham’s master craftsmen honed their skills.

The historic district is also the perfect place to pick up gifts direct from makers’ workshops. After a spot of shopping, relax in St Paul’s Square, which has a fantastic range of quirky bars and restaurants to sample.

The Balti Triangle

Venture to the Balti Triangle, the city’s famous curry zone and try some of the fantastic Indian cuisine Birmingham has become famous for. The area brings together the Sparkbrook, Balsall Heath and Moseley districts, where you’ll find Michelin-starred restaurants side by side with family run eateries, traditional dressmakers, and inviting sweet shops.

Adventures in the chocolate factory

If you’re travelling to Birmingham with kids, make sure to plan in a stop off at Cadbury World, one of the UK's most popular family attractions. The candy haven is a Midlands institution and a fascinating place to learn about the history of one of the world’s most famous chocolate manufacturers.

Afterwards, drive over to the National Sea Life Center, and immerse yourself in the wonders of the sea. The one-million-liter ocean tank is a joy to behold, housing green sea turtles, black tip reef sharks and a 360-degree underwater tunnel.

Beyond Birmingham

With your car, there’s so much you can get out to see in England’s very heart. From Birmingham city center, you can travel to the Cotswolds in just over an hour via the M5, a beautiful area full of atmospheric villages.

It’s also worthwhile to book in a visit to the Bard and head to Stratford-Upon-Avon, where you can learn about the roots of William Shakespeare. The Warwickshire town is only a 45-minute drive south of Birmingham via the M42 and M40.

If you want to relax on a punt, you’ll find Cambridge University less than two hours away via the M6 and A14. Other picturesque destinations include the second-hand bookshop capital Hay-on-Wye, while the rugged beauty of the Peak District National Park lies further north on the M1. Hop behind your wheel and the UK is your oyster.