Yo ho ho, all the fun of the festive fair. If you can’t get to Germany for a Christmas market, let the German Christmas market come to you. Well that was my rationale for taking a trip up to Birmingham anyway. The German Christmas Market has become something of an annual attraction in Birmingham’s city centre at this time of year.
I’d heard the hot chocolates were a must. It was time to sample one or two, do a spot of Christmas shopping and take the opportunity to visit friends in nearby Leamington Spa.
Ibis Hotel
It’s a bit of a long haul up to Birmingham, so I was pleased to find that the hotel I was staying in, was only a three minute walk from the station. In fact the Ibis Birmingham Centre New Street, is very conveniently located, making it ideal for the German Christmas Market as well as many of Birmingham’s other attractions.
I’m never quite sure what to expect in city centre hotels, but I was pleasantly surprised. The room was comfortably sized, clean and surprisingly quiet for a hotel in the city centre right next to China Town.
The room was better than the one I had in the Ibis, Ghent. Though I have to say I loved my stay there. You can find out about it in my post, Getting Greedy In Ghent.
I passed a comfortable night in the hotel. The mattress was just how I like them, firm yet giving at the same time. My back felt nicely rested and I ambled down to breakfast.
I have to admit I wasn’t really looking forward to this bit. I love a good cooked breakfast, but my experience at budget hotels has been disappointing – watery eggs, flavourless tomatoes and not much to tempt us vegetarians.
How wrong I was. There was a choice of hot food and everything I had was well cooked and flavoursome. There was also plenty of cereal, yogurt, fruit, pastries, toast, cheese and meats of various kinds. I would have liked to have had some wholemeal bread for toasting, but eating white bread was something of a novelty.
Vegetarian Food
Once divested of my baggage, I took off to find something to eat. I was trying to find a vegetarian restaurant that I’d heard about. Many years ago, when I lived in Leamington Spa, I was quite familiar with the centre of Birmingham, but goodness how things have changed. The place has undergone a transformation and whilst it now looks much smarter, I found it completely disorientating.
I quickly gave up on the veggie restaurant and passing a Wagamama, I decided I’d give that a try instead – another new experience for me. The place was absolutely heaving and it was only 5:30 pm.
I found myself sitting opposite a local woman who was dining there on her way home from work. We struck up a conversation and ended up not only enjoying our respective meals but the company too. When we’d finished, she very kindly, went out of her way, to take me to the Christmas Market, which I’d been unable to find. Turns out it was just around the corner.
German Christmas Market: Day 1
What a splendid way to experience the market. The streets bustling with shoppers and glühwein enthusiasts, the Christmas lights aglow and the jolly strains of Christmas music. It truly felt most festive.
I hadn’t expected the market stalls to look just like a German woodcutter’s cottage, but it just added to the general charm. All sorts of wares and comestibles were on display including decorations hanging from the stalls, crafts, handmade wooden toys and cakes. But hot chocolate? I couldn’t find a single cup.
Unable to locate my hot chocolate and not having had any pudding, I decided to indulge in a box of large flavoured marshmallows covered in chocolate. Judging by the lengthy queue I had to stand in, these were a much sought after delicacy. A box of 12 cost £6, which, quite frankly, I thought was a bit of a bargain. I decided to reward CT with his very own box.
German Christmas Market: Day 2
I had until midday to check out of the hotel, which meant I could look around the market again, unhampered by baggage. In the morning light and without the evening crowds, I was finally able to find that elusive hot chocolate.
The Bailey’s and pile of whipped cream at 10 am was perhaps a little decadent, but so worthwhile. I did think the price a little steep: £4.30 + a £3 refundable deposit for quite a diminutive mug. But hey, it was all part of the experience.
For a cheaper, and quite frankly, a nicer version, why not make your own. I have several hot chocolate recipes on Tin and Thyme, but this real hot chocolate is a good one to start with.
As the morning drew on and activity around the market increased, various living statues, buskers and other street entertainment started to appear. It was a very different place from the evening before, but no less enjoyable.
Chocolate was what I was there for, so I bought a box of individually chosen chocolates for the friends I was going to be staying with that night. They looked and sounded intriguing, but I have yet to hear any feedback on whether they were any good.
Other markets spilled out from the main German market in all directions adding to the bustling festive atmosphere.
Birmingham City
Before catching my train to Leamington Spa later in the afternoon, I had a wander around the city centre. I wanted to see the famous new library and I’d also been urged to visit the museum by my previous night’s dining companion.
I was impressed by both. The library was thronging with people and I got vertigo on the freestanding escalators which headed forever upwards much like Jacob’s Ladder. At the museum I saw the Staffordshire Hoard – the largest hoard of Anglos-Saxon gold ever found.
My overwhelming impression of Birmingham was just how friendly and helpful everyone was. From the staff at the hotel, to my dining companion to the ticket clark who went out of his way to make sure I got the very best deal and train to Leamington Spa. So if you can’t make it to Munich this year, Britain’s second city won’t disappoint. Just head to the German Christmas market.
Keep in Touch
Thanks for visiting Tin and Thyme. If you visit the German Christmas market in Birmingham, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below. Have you any top tips? Do share photos on social media too and use the hashtag #tinandthyme, so I can spot them.
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Choclette x
Jacqueline Meldrum says
I loved it in Birmingham when I visited the market too. I wish I’d known about the library. I always like to have a wee look. It was good you had a dining and market companion. That makes all the difference. I usually stay in a travelodge or Premier Inn. I wasn’t sure what Ibis was like, so it is good to know they are a good option too. Were the marshmallows good or are they being kept for Christmas. I looked at them in at the Edinburgh Christmas market, but wasn’t sure.
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says
One day I will make it up tot eh Christmas market in Birmingham.
Sarah Trivuncic says
I really ought to visit my home town’s Christmas market as my mum has talked about it for years. Her mother was actually German so I’m sure she’d have loved it too.
Birmingham is almost unrecognisable from when I left in 1992! It’s much more glam now.
Kath says
What a great post. Birmingham has transformed itself over the past few years and is a fantastic city. The German market does make it very festive. The library is fantastic, unfortunately there are now to be cuts to the budget for staff and events which is a great shame. I hope it can somehow maintain its position as beacon for the city. That hot chocolate was expensive, crikey!
Johanna GGG says
Glad you found your hot chocolate – I recognise the mug as similar to ones from the German Markets in Edinburgh – we have a few mugs from there – they are a great keepsake – though the last one didn’t make it back to Melbourne – but I love the gluhwein and stollen. the marshmallows look great and overall it seemed a worthwhile trip – wish I had german markets so close (and I guess I need the winter too)
Jenny Habbal says
Great post, Choclette. I went to our Christmas market in Exeter (on the cathedral green) yesterday. I am sure that it’s tiny compared to the one in Birmingham, but really nice to visit all the same…one thing I saw that made me think of you, was chocolate wine for sale. Have you come across this? I wonder if it’s a dessert wine, or if it is a less predictable wine than that? After all, chocolate is seen in savoury dishes now, and wasn’t originally associated with sweetness, or so I believe…Merry Christmas, hope you’re recovered now!
The Yogi Vegetarian says
Glad you liked your trip to Brum- we are the friendliest city, I think! I must say I take the German market for granted and usually avoid because of the crowds and meat aromas. Next time you come, check out Cafe Soya, right next to Chinatown and the markets; wonderful selection of veggie and vegan Chinese and Korean cuisine at reasonable prices, and lovely informal atmosphere. See our blog for a review (last March). Happy Christmas 🙂
Catherine says
Looks like lots of fun and delicious too. Happy Holidays. Catherine
Angela Kate Webster says
I really enjoyed reading this, and not just for the pics of chocolate! 🙂 The hot choc looks delicious. I had some stunning hot chocolate the other day at Cardiffs Winter Wonderland. You might like the pics on my blog 🙂
Nicol says
i do miss the birmingham christmas markets. the leeds one is tiny
Roz Goodgame TheFoodieCoupleBlog says
I loved reading this, and so glad you enjoyed Birmingham- my home city and I love it. So many have archaic and stereotyped views of this city, but it has so much to offer
Michelle Elyse says
This post is so bad in a gooood way. What a fabulous trip – I have to say that hot chocolate and the foods made me hungry x