As Britain's second largest city situated in the heart of England, Birmingham is vibrant, diverse and friendly offering something for each and every one of its visitors and residents.

Birmingham is a dynamic business city and leading centre for national and international exhibitions, conferences and events of all kinds. World-renowned, Birmingham is resident to the International Convention Centre, where world leaders in politics and industry converge, and the National Exhibition Centre that hosts some of the worlds large important trade shows.

Birmingham was the first city to be awarded National City of Sport status and in recent years the city has staged more international, European and national sporting championships than any other UK city. The National Indoor Arena close to the city centre, hosts shows and TV spectaculars as well as many international and national sporting events

A city of world-class culture, the home of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the Birmingham Royal Ballet at the recently refurbished Hippodrome Theatre. The city's Museum and Art Gallery, the Barber Institute, the Midlands Art Centre and the Ikon Gallery offer a cosmopolitan mixture of traditional and post-modern art works.

The Crescent, Birmingham Repertory Theatre and The Door similarly provide a speckled array of talent from traditional to contemporary theatre. The Royal Shakespeare Theatre in nearby Stratford-upon-Avon is a short car or train journey away. Architecturally, Birmingham boasts many fine examples of Victorian, Renaissance style and Gothic facades and buildings.