German Xmas market visit Birmingham, 10/12/2011

[Tempest 0]

That time of the year again to end the show season with a final get-together (that US speak for meet) at the German Christmans market in Birmingham.

 

When: Saturday 10th of December 2011 from 13:00 onwards

Where: Meeting point: Bottom of fountain on Victoria Square in central Birmingham (opposite the imposing Council House), just 10 minutes walk from the rear entrance of New Street train station

 

Leave at the rear entrance of the station (red dot on map), cross Stephenson Street, walk up Hill Street and you´ll see the fountain on Victoria Square. Well, that is if the sheer amount of people and the stalls haven´t blocked the view onto the fountain and the wafts of Glühwein distracted you by then :lol:

 

Victoria Square Birmingham B3 3BD

 

 

What: Indulge in German traditional Glühwein and Christmas food and handicrafts. Opportunity for last-minute Christmas shopping in Birmingham city centre, eg. the famous Bullring Shopping Centre (houses Selfridges and many other big name shops)

 

How to get there: Well, I am not promoting the idea of drunk driving, so leave the Rado at home, get to Birmingham by train, as New Street Train Station is in the heart of Birmingham, 10 minutes walking distance to Victoria Square, where the market starts.

 

Anywhere to stay? Yes, why not make a little weekend out of it. Either stay in nearby Coventry (Ibis hotel just 10 minutes walk from Coventry train station, secure ar park: http://www.ibishotel.com/gb/hotel-2793-ibis-coventry-centre/index.shtml), Coventry itself is only 30 minutes by train. This is as hotels may be cheaper in Coventry.

 

Or do it properly, and stay in Birmingham itself.

 

Here are some cheap places to stay in Birmingham:

http://www.booking.com/searchresults.en-us.html?aid=303948;label=birmingham-7NggVIdhP6b9AIQxNkD0SwS7897528461;sid=b13e98a786eaaff06235c2a26c20eede;dcid=1;checkin=2011-11-17;city=-2589989;interval=1;order=price

 

The usual big name chains also have branches all within walking distance from Victoria Square:

 

Ibis: http://www.ibishotel.com/gb/hotel-1459-ibis-birmingham-city-centre/restaurant.shtml

 

Holiday Inn: http://www.holidayinn.com/hotels/us/en/birmingham/bhxwm/hoteldetail

 

How long is the visit for? That´s entirely up to you :)

 

Anyone else travelling from Coventry by train: Looking at catching the 12:22 service to Birmingham new Street, arriving into New Street station at 12:45, to arrive at the bottom of the fountain on Victoria Square by 13:00.

 

Tempest

[G60 CS 0]

Not a car meet then, just drunken shopping ? ;)

[Tempest 0]

Not all meets need the physical presence of cars surely, rather than simply their owners, i.e. like-minded people? :)

 

It is a nice way to call out the year, before the long, dreaded, cold months of the year start, during which, I for one, and I am sure more and more others, lock away their Rados of joy in protection from the nasty gritters that are lurking on each street corner, ready to sling death inducing quantities of the dreaded salt at our beloved cars.

 

So, yes it is a different meet, no kicking tyres in a pub car park for once :)

 

Tempest

[Wendy 0]

I am joining you, brilliant market - worth a trip.

 

Looking forward to it.

[Tempest 0]

Quick bumpy, as this is tomorrow :)

 

First folk already arriving at Tempest HQ tonight!

 

Termpest