Copthorne Hotel Birmingham     

With easy access to many Birmingham attractions, Copthorne Hotel Birmingham is perfectly located at the Paradise Circus near the city centre. Close to museums, galleries and entertainment venues, this deluxe Birmingham hotel offers comfortable accommodations, appealing dining choices, state of the art meeting and event facilities, fitness club and attentive service.

About Birmingham, England

Birmingham is one of a few northern destinations that are often referred to as England's 'second city'. For years it has had a reputation as a strong, hardworking place, a reputation that was forged during Britain's Industrial Revolution in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The part that the city played in this period of the country's development gave it nicknames such as 'the workshop of the world' and the 'city of a thousand trades'.

The city suffered heavy damage during the Second World War, which led to widespread redevelopments in the 1950s and 60s, which put Birmingham on the path to becoming the thriving, popular place that it is today.

Birmingham is one of the few cities in England that rivals London when it comes to hosting major events, largely owing to the NEC Group, which owns the National Indoor Arena, the International Convention Centre, the Symphony Hall, the National Exhibition Centre and the NEC Arena.

Between March 6th and 9th this year, the NEC will be hosting the one unmissable occasion for all animal lovers - Crufts. This event has been officially recognised as the world's biggest dog show by the Guinness Book of Records and is expected to welcome some 25,000 canine competitors from around the world this year.

Those who prefer to see human performers challenging themselves to stunts and feats of athleticism may be more interested in seeing Delirium, the latest show from the Cirque du Soleil, at the NIA on March 22nd and 23rd. This new offering takes the famous circus' performances and presents them on a grand arena scale. The show has already enjoyed a sold-out tour across the USA and Europe and achieved a Top 10 Box Office award for the highest grossing US concert in 2007.

Birmingham also has plenty to offer those who like nothing more than a spot of retail therapy. The city has an area entirely dedicated to jewellery, featuring over 100 specialist retailers who produce approximately 40 per cent of all the jewellery in the UK. There are also numerous malls dotted around the city, including the Bullring - a £500 million centre that opened in 2003 - the Mailbox, the Mall Pallasades and Great Western Arcade.

Entertainment opportunities for people staying at the Copthorne Hotel in Birmingham are far from limited to shows and shopping, however, as one of the things that the city is famous for is its love of football. Two West Midlands-based clubs are currently plying their trade in the Premier League, with very different goals for the end of the season.

Aston Villa have their eyes on European football next year and face home matches against Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Bolton Wanderers before the end of the season.

Birmingham City, on the other hand, will be happy to be fourth from bottom in the Premier League by the time the season comes to an end, and they face some tough fixtures against sides including Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Manchester City as they strive to avoid relegation.

However, the really big match for these two sides will come on April 20th, when they play each other at Villa Park. This game will be played on the penultimate weekend of the season, meaning that the chance to pick up some last-gasp points will add extra spice to what will surely be a feisty encounter.