Best Western Hotels GB | Birmingham NEC Hotels

Stay at a hotel near Birmingham NEC (National Exhibition Centre) to experience Europe’s busiest exhibition centre. Afterwards, teleport yourself to a futuristic shoppers’ paradise at the Bullring, or enjoy cosy pub lunches in lazy, outlying villages.

Things to do at the NEC

Crufts’ Best of Breed paws and Ben Fogle’s hiking boots have graced the floors at assorted NEC events. Uncover gadgets, the great outdoors and antiques at stands in the vast 21 halls, which cover a grand total of 650 acres – the size of a small farm. There’s an expo to suit every walk of life. Speed merchants like the Classic Motor Show, while the broody queue up for the Baby Show. Refuel on canteen bangers ’n’ mash and gourmet sandwich bars as you flit between the stands.

The NEC visitor tips

Race other enthusiasts for crowd-pleasing events like Sewing for Pleasure and the Festival of Quilts and grab tickets in advance from the Ticket Factory. The NEC’s box office has bureaux at the easy-to-find Birmingham tourist offices. With a calendar of over 160 yearly events, you’re spoilt for choice. The NEC is kitted out to suit your needs with mobile charging points, Wi-Fi zones and prayer rooms. Tee up at the golf driving range at the main entrance while you wait for the main halls to swing open their doors.

Things to do around the NEC

Stay at a hotel near the NEC, east of the city centre and whizz to top Brummie attractions, like the shiny Bullring and statuesque Birmingham Museum. It’s just eight minutes on the fast train to Birmingham New Street Station. Take a breather from the exhibition hall bustle and take in the serene Pendigo Lake outside. The A45 into Birmingham hangs past the lovely town of Yardley, home of Blakesley Hall. The museum has all the trimmings of a Tudor house, like wattle and daub, a great hall and herringbone timberwork. Handy transport links like Birmingham International Airport and the M42 are minutes away from the NEC.

Eat, drink and shop near the NEC

Step out of Birmingham New Street Station for the Bullring’s restaurants. Mount Fuji serves bento sushi and miso, while Druckers patisserie bakes mouth-watering, Viennese-style cakes and pastries. Sneak away from the exhibition halls for a luxury shopping break at the cosmic Selfridges building, with its irresistible brand names like Chloé and Balenciaga. Just three miles south of your NEC hotel, lazy brunches are served on sofas at the Beeches Georgian pub in sleepy Hampton in Arden.