Travelling to a new city for a wedding can be a stressful experience – you are happy to do it for the people you love – but it can still be quite overwhelming. Let us take some of the pressure off for you! As locals, we have quite a lot of knowledge on Digbeth & Birmingham, from transport options to hotel recommendations to things to do whilst you are here – tap into our Brummie knowledge! Read on to discover all of our tips and plan your day or weekend in Birmingham.
Hotel Recommendations
As we are so close to the city centre, there are hundreds of hotel, apartment & Airbnb options nearby that suit all types of budgets. We have put together a short list of recommendations, from budget chains to historic pubs – there is something for everyone. Please also do your own research, there are so many other great places to stay in the city, we couldn’t possibly fit them all onto one list! As part of our wedding information packs, we send out a full “Hotel Guide”, so if you are a guest, please ask the event organisers for the guide or drop us a message directly and we can send it over to you!
The Old Crown
If you are familiar with Digbeth, you probably know about The Old Crown! Just steps away from us right next door is Birmingham’s oldest pub – built in 1368. The rooms are upstairs, separated from the main pub, which is downstairs, and are individually decorated with a mix of en-suite and shared bathrooms. Facilities include TV, tea & coffee, towels and free WiFi. This hotel is an incredible option for Old Library guests, being just metres away from our front door. Rooms are limited though so enquire early to avoid disappointment.
Aparthotel Adagio Birmingham City Centre
Just a short walk up Digbeth high street, right before you get to the Bullring & the main city centre, is Aparthotel Adagio. This is a hotel with exclusively studios and one-bedroom flats, so each “room” includes a living area, desk space, modern bathroom and bedroom area. Perfect for couples or groups, and for guests looking to extend their stay for more than one night to make use of the extra facilities. Roughly a 5-7 minute walk from the venue and then a further 7-10 minutes to Birmingham New Street, this option is the best of both worlds for location.
Radisson Blu Hotel, Birmingham
In the heart of the city, right next to Birmingham New Street, is the Radisson Blu Hotel. The impressive 39-story hotel offers numerous different room options, multiple restaurants & bars and a fitness centre. We also work in partnership with their team and have an exclusive offer for our wedding couples & their guests. They will kindly offer an exclusive 15% discount on all bedrooms booked with Radisson Blu on your wedding day for either the couple or guests. They will also upgrade the couple (subject to availability) to a complimentary suite with rose petals & Prosecco! Contact us expressing your interest and we will put you in touch with the team.
Clayton Hotel Birmingham
Just on the outskirts of Digbeth and the main city centre shops is the Clayton Hotel, which is also next door to the main bus stops & Birmingham Moor Street. This hotel offers luxury stays in a convenient location, with multiple room & suite options. Clayton Hotel also advertises itself as a family-friendly option, so it may be the perfect spot for guests with children. The hotel is roughly a 10-minute walk from our venue, and is just steps from the main city centre and all of the food, culture and entertainment on offer.
Recognisable Budget Chain Hotels
If you want to choose an affordable option that is tried and tested across the country, we do of course have numerous of the popular chain hotels in the city centre. Including 4 Travelodges, 4 Premier Inns, 3 ibis hotels and 3 Holiday Inns. They are spread out across the city, so some are closer to us, some are in quieter locations than others and some are right in the heart of the city. We would recommend having a look on Google maps for some more information on these hotels and checking out reviews and locations.
Transportation
Being just a short walk from the centre of Birmingham, the UK’s most central and connected city, means that getting to us couldn’t be easier! This section is all about the many ways in which you can travel to Birmingham, travel to us, and then get back to your hotel after an evening of celebrating. Read on for train and coach travel information, walking and bus routes from the city centre, and parking recommendations.
Getting to Birmingham
Train
If you are travelling from another part of the UK via train, Birmingham has 2 main stations that you may use. The most popular is Birmingham New Street, receiving services from: London Euston, Manchester, Liverpool, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow and many others. New Street is around a 15-minute walk from The Old Library and is in the central hub of Birmingham. Another station you may use is Birmingham Moor Street, this receives services from London Marylebone, Solihull and Stratford-upon-Avon and is around a 10-minute walk from us. Travelling via train is a great option, you can be in Birmingham in a matter of hours, you can relax on your journey, and help the planet by using public transport – all wins!
Airport Transfer
If you are travelling from even further afield and coming to us via Birmingham Airport, there are plenty of easy ways to complete your journey. You can jump on the airport monorail to Birmingham International Station, where direct trains to Birmingham New Street run multiple times an hour and take around 10 minutes. If you would prefer to take a bus, direct buses from Birmingham International Station via the X1 run roughly every 20 minutes into the city centre. For more detailed information visit the West Midlands Railway website (trains) or West Midlands Travel website (buses).
Coach
Another more cost-effective way to travel to us is via coach. Birmingham Coach Station is in Digbeth and is just a couple of minutes’ walk away from The Old Library. The main city centre is just a 10-minute walk from the coach station, or if you are staying in Digbeth then the station is right in the heart of the community. There are coach services from most major cities in to Birmingham so this could be a good alternative option for you to look into.
Getting to The Old Library from Birmingham City Centre
Walking Route
Depending on where you arrive or what hotel you are staying at, there are a few different walking routes you can take to get to us. The most popular and straightforward way is directly down Digbeth high street from the Bullring. As part of our wedding information packs, we always include a “How To Find Us Guide”, which is designed to help guests arriving at New Street Station find us on foot. This guide takes you from New Street, past the Bullring, down Digbeth high street past the coach station and straight to The Old Library. It includes written instructions as well as photos of landmarks for you to look out for on your journey. If you are a guest, please ask the event organisers for the guide or drop us a message directly and we can send it over to you!
Buses
If you or any of your travelling group have reduced mobility, then a bus from the city centre may be a good option. You can get direct buses from Moor Street Queensway (which is right next to Clayton Hotel) to outside The Old Library in a matter of minutes. The most direct bus link is the 97, which drops you just metres from our front entrance. You can also get buses from elsewhere in the city centre, please check the West Midlands Travel website for more information! If you live slightly more local and are not staying overnight in the city, you can get direct buses from Solihull: 4,6, X2 and Coventry: X1 that drop you very close to our venue.
Taxis
If you prefer a more private travel experience from the city centre to us, you can of course take a taxi. Uber and Bolt are both widely available in Birmingham and can be an easy way to get you from A to B if you have experience with the apps. If you would like a traditional taxi, you can call a few different firms who are local to the city centre, please see our list below:
Birmingham City Taxis: 0121 728 3999
Ace Cars Birmingham: 0121 247 7777
Birmingham Taxis: 0121 702 2000
Getting back to your hotel after the event
At the end of a long night of partying, sometimes all you want to do is crawl into bed as fast as possible! The best way to do so when it is late in the evening is to call a taxi or Uber. The best spot for pickups is at the back of the building outside our accessible entrance on Heath Mill Lane, please ask a member of our team for directions if you are unsure. If you are in a large group then you can take a stroll back into the city together but as always, please look out for each other and stick to the main routes.
Car Parking
If public transport is not for you, you are of course welcome to drive to Birmingham! Please be aware that we do not have any onsite parking of our own, however we are easily reached by car, with a range of pay and display car parks in the area. As part of our wedding information packs, we send out a “Car Park Guide” that details a few of the local car parks that are within a 10-minute walk from us. The closest pay and display to us is just 2-minutes away. Do check the details of each car park online before you arrive for pricing and opening hours.
Things to do whilst you are in Birmingham
If you are turning your invitation to a special event at The Old Library into an excuse for an extended trip to Birmingham, then you will definitely not be stuck for things to do! As Brummies, we don’t shout about our city enough, but there truly is so much to do here, from shopping, to nightlife, culture, nature, entertainment and so much more. We have highlighted just a few major spots to hit whilst you are in town below, but you will discover so much more on your own when you walk around the city for the first time!
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
A world-class museum and art gallery, founded in 1885, it sits right in the centre of the city and is housed in a Grade 2 listed Victorian building. Featuring numerous galleries and displays, learn all about the history of Birmingham and beyond! The museum sits right in the middle of Chamberlain and Victoria Squares, just a couple of minutes’ walk from New Street. Museums are a wonderful way to learn all about a new city and its culture, so we would definitely recommend adding a visit here to your list.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
A stunning 15-acre site filled with exotic flora, a Bonsai garden and a dedicated children’s space, all housed in elegant Victorian glass houses that date back to 1829! The site is one of the UK’s most significant and historic Botanic Gardens, with so much natural beauty to explore it is no wonder this is one of the top tourist attractions in Birmingham. This could be the perfect option if you are travelling here with children, or even as a cute date activity for couples. This attraction is slightly out of the city centre, but it can be easily reached by taxi/Uber or even a long walk if you are up for it!
Bullring
One of the most iconic landmarks of modern Birmingham, the Bullring is the flagship shopping centre for the city and is a must-visit for any tourist. Even just viewing the outside of the complex, with its recognisable blue and silver round discs exterior, is a great sight and will make for some awesome photos. The shopping centre itself spreads out across 3 floors and 2 different sides of the street, with stores such as Selfridges, M&S, Warren James & more, a whole host of restaurants such as Nandos, Pizza Hut, Wagamama & more, and entertainment options such as TOCA Social, Treetop Golf and Lane 7. Of course, the iconic Bull statue sits just outside the New Street entrance to the complex, so get that Instagram worthy shot whilst you are there – did you even go to Birmingham if you didn’t get a picture with the Bull?!
A day out in Digbeth
The people who invited you to their special day chose Digbeth as their destination for a reason, they probably love the vibes, creativity and independent nature of the businesses in the area. So, if you fancy exploring our local area a little bit more whilst you are here, we have put together a Digbeth Day Out below that will give you a real snapshot of what we are all about here!
A morning stroll around Red Brick Market
Start your day in Digbeth with a stroll around one of Birmingham’s best markets – a vibrant and eclectic space filled with so many unique, creative and independent sellers. From clothing & jewellery to furniture & gifts to alternative & gothic items, you will have a lovely morning taking your time and wandering around the many stalls in this awesome space on Floodgate Street.
A brunch date at Kanteen
A cosy little café tucked into the far corner of Gibb Street, Kanteen offers a delicious brunch menu and freshly brewed coffee that will be sure to treat your tastebuds. They also offer a wonderful selection of freshly made deli sandwiches and wraps, with a varying menu and seasonal specials. Treat yourself to a coffee & a cake or a full English – the choice is yours!
An afternoon of entertainment in the Courtyard
The Courtyard on Gibb Street is home to a few places you could spend your afternoon in Digbeth! Firstly, there’s NQ64, a retro arcade game bar with unique cocktails and an awesome interior. Then, there’s Chance & Counters, a boardgame café with all-sorts of different games to play around with. Finally, there’s Mockingbird Cinema, a small, independent cinema showing new releases and replays of old classics. You can easily spend a few hours having heaps of fun here!
Lunch time at Alfred Works
The newest addition to Digbeth’s vibrant food and social scene, and winners of Best Food Hall in the UK at the 2026 British Street Food Awards, Alfred Works is a food hall full of 15 independently owned kitchens, all cooking up food from different parts of the world. There’s Italian, Caribbean, Greek, Korean, Palestinian & more! So, grab a light lunch snack from one of these awesome vendors and sip a cocktail in their outdoor Alfresco bar, and make your lunchtime a relaxing and delicious one.
An evening game of crazy golf at Golf Fang
Challenge your friends, family or partner to a round of epic crazy golf at Birmingham’s Golf Fang. This spot is just at the end of Gibb Street and is one of the most buzzing evening activities in the area. You will have so much fun taking a tour around this kooky and unique golf course – make sure to take loads of photos as you make your way round!
Dinner & drinks at The Old Crown
If you have followed our suggestions up until this point – you will probably be just about ready for a nice pub meal and some evening drinks. There is no better place in Digbeth for this than The Old Crown, Birmingham’s oldest pub dating all the way back to 1368! Serving up a delicious menu of high-quality pub food – by the same chefs who cater for us at The Old Library – in a cosy & historic venue, the pub has a great atmosphere year-round. Have some drinks in the main bar or in their brand-new outdoor space, and see in the night after your long day of Digbeth exploring!
To conclude…
As an out-of-towner, we hope that you have learnt a bit more about Birmingham after reading through our guide! We really couldn’t be better placed in the city, we are so close to the main hub, but are just far enough outside the centre to be nestled in a unique, creative and independent community of our own, right here in Digbeth. There are hotels aplenty, an abundance of transport options and so many interesting things to do whilst you are here. We hope that you have a wonderful time at The Old Library, and make the most of your time here in our city for a memorable few days!
Written by: Jessica Rodrigues | Marketing & Events Assistant
