Digbeth

- Digbeth Street, Coach Station, Central Backpackers Hostel

Digbeth is the post industrial area just south of the Bullring, the heart for shopping in the city centre. The main road is Digbeth St that leads to the Bullring. It was in Digbeth I arrived by the National Express bus from Luton in the dark evening, at the Coach Station. Just a few blocks away at Coventry St/Milk St, also in Digbeth, is where I stayed, at the Birmingham Central Backpackers Hostel. Many industrial buildings in have been turned into apartments, stores, restaurants, offices and arts facilities, but lots of industrial activities still remain. A blue and brown brick Victorian railway viaduct (right above the hostel), the Devonshire Works building at the Custard factory complex, a beautiful police station building, the coach station (for long distance buses) and the southern entrance to the futuristic Selfridges store can be found found in Digbeth.

Birmingham Central Backpackers Hostel. I stayed one night in a shared room in this small hostel, less then 10 min walk from the city centre. The area is a bit shady after dark, filled with industrial buildngs and the place is not easy to find, so you have to be careful if you arrive after dark like I did! The interior was amazing, very cozy and colourful with really hip colours. May be not everyone's taste, but looked really nice and alternative. The room was nothing special, and it didn't have any locker but they offer free luggage storage. The hostel has good wifi, free coffee and tea all day long, a large TV screen in the lobby, maps and travel information and everything you will need for a short stay. The staff was nice upon arrival in the evening, but the staff in the morning was a bit absent. They offered a simple free breakfast. The beds where not very comfortable and had to stay at another building, next to the main building that made it a bit complicated. But very good value for money after all.