Overview

Situated a few yards and more or less opposite the Grand Hotel in Birmingham Uk, we wandered along the old historical arcade on our way to catch the Metro tram on our way for todays day out visits. SEE OUR REVIEW FOR THE GRAND HOTEL BIRMINGHAM. Opposite Snow Hill station and across from the Grand Hotel (photo 1) stands The arcade which was built between 1876-1877 over the top of the tunnel for trains running from Snow hill station and on to London via Moor street station, and the design was based on the great exhibition building of Crystal Palace, London, which took place in 1851. Todays arcade however had to be modified after bombing in the 1st world war, with the entrance being rebuilt (photo 2) and the original roof, then a semi-circular vault, has now being replaced by the apexed roof (photo 3) and is today a grade 11 listed building. The arcade was then restored in 1984, and in 1985 it was voted Birminghams favourite building and still retains its elegant Victorian charm, which now houses many small retailers, such as the shop were we met a local historian promoting his latest book on the history of Birmingham (photo 4). My husband was particularly interested in the wine merchant and tasting house (photo 5) and could not resist taking a look at the Olde Sweet shoppe (photo 6). The arcade exits onto Temple Row (photo 7) THIS ROW IS VERY IMPORTANT IN OUR OWN FAMILY TREE, as the building you see at the far end and in the centre of this photo, Union Chambers, is where Dennis lived from 1952 when his father became the caretaker of the building, we met and did our courting here, we married, then following his fathers death in 1972, we moved in to live here in 1972 as the new caretakers. We brought up our two daughters here, celebrated our twenty fifth anniversary here, until we were made redundant in 1989 when Union Chambers was then sold. So an important part of our own lives. At the other end of Temple Row, along Bull Street (photo 8) you catch the Metro tram, heading towards Edgbaston Village (photo 9) and you may now follow our reviews of the Two Hotels we shall be visiting today, CROWNE PLAZA and HYATT REGENCY HOTEL. Again, as a point of interest for you, it was next door to the HYATT HOTEL that the registration building stood where we were married at in 1962, and we will celebrate that day in 2022 following 60 years together. We hope you will now read OUR NEXT REVIEW, CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL.

Transport & Parking

Parking in Birmingham is expensive, so you need to travel in by bus or train, and use the Metro tram when possible. Local hotels do not usually have their own car parking either, or if they do the spaces are limited, and can only be used by guests of the hotels. City centre car parks are available, but like all cities, the costs are very high. If you are visiting Birmingham, then you will need to read about the car parking facilities you may require before heading out.

Access

As our trip today was to take a look at three of Birminghams top hotels, the weather forecast was not to favourable for us, so we just wanted indoor facilities so as to be able to simple relax but still enjoy a day out, we used the Metro tram which of course was of no problem for disabled, and the hotels we review for you were quite easy as regards disabled use, as you can read in our reviews for each hotel, CROWNE PLAZA BIRMINGAM, and HYATT REGENCY BIRMINGHAM. The GRAND HOTEL we have already reviewed for you a few months ago.

Toilets

On this review for the arcade, there are no toilet facilities.

Staff

Those we met where very friendly and helpful, they have to be if they want our custom of course.

Photos