Don't take any notice of the cynics who say "leave". Where are you staying? What times are your flights?

If you're staying at the airport, walk out of the terminal and get the free shuttle bus the five hundred yards to Birmingham International station, and get one of the frequent (every 10/15 minutes), trains to Birmingham New Street (10 mins away), about $3 return.

Walk up pedestrianised New Street towards the old Council House, then past the old Town Hall, and then up Broad Street to Brindley Place and the new canal-side developments.(All well signposted). There are more canals in "Brum" than Venice. They go back to the 1700's when horse-drawn boats were used for transporting goods up and down the country.

You will find dozens of bars and pubs, restaurants, and shops (sorry), of every description. As you pass the International Convention Centre opposite the Hyatt Regency, pop in and look at Symphony Hall, the newest and best auditorium in the world.

Or if you're very lazy, walk out of the terminal and take a black cab direct to the Hyatt Regency, Broad Street/Brindley Place, about $25. The rates are quoted on a board where the taxis leave from.

I guarantee you'll have an interesting afternoon. Sorry I can't guarantee the weather. Also, I would consider the walk to be 100% safe, although nothing's 100%! Like all major cities, there are parts of Brum where it's not safe to walk. However, it is very busy in town, and there's really no problems at all in that area.

[This message has been edited by milonaire2 (edited 03-18-2001).]

[This message has been edited by milonaire2 (edited 03-18-2001).]