Britain’s largest regional city offers all the excitement, diversity and culture of a major city, without the cost of the capital. Its bustling Chinese Quarter and famous ‘Balti triangle' - a paradise for curry lovers - are obvious testaments to its multicultural nature. From McDonalds to Michelin stars, outdoor markets to ultra-modern malls, there is a dazzling array of restaurants, shops, pubs and clubs on offer, plus world-class sporting events and, of course, live music.

Local theatres include Birmingham Hippodrome (home of the Birmingham Royal Ballet), the Alexandra Theatre and the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, while cinemas offering everything from Hollywood to Bollywood to arthouse range from Europe’s largest mega-plex StarCity/Vue to the lovingly refurbished Electric Cinema - the oldest working cinema in the UK. The city also has some of the finest art galleries in the country. Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery houses the world’s leading collection of pre-Raphaelite art (including the works of Birmingham native Edward Burne-Jones), contrasting with the modern innovative work on show at the Ikon Gallery.

And of course, music. Amongst its many excellent venues pulsating with everything from jazz to traditional Irish, contemporary classical to bhangra, just outside the Conservatoire’s front door are two of the city’s most renowned halls, which also serve as Conference venues: the acclaimed 2262-seat Symphony Hall, home to the renowned City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) - one of the Conference resident orchestras - and the Grade 1 listed 1088-seat Town Hall, recently renovated and one of the city’s treasures.

Sick of the city?

If it all gets too much, in just 15 minutes you can be out of the city and enjoying tranquil countryside. Popular West Midlands destinations such as Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon (home of the Royal Shakespeare Company), Warwick Castle, Ironbridge, the Cotswolds and the Malvern Hils are all close by. Plus, the city’s location makes it easy to travel to anywhere else in the country; London is just one-and-a-half hours by train.

For further general information, visit: www.visitbirmingham.com, or see our links page.