In message <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, Eileen Lee <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes >I can't believe it, I will be in London that weekend!!! 2 questions: > Firstly, remember that the NEC is on the outskirts of Birmingham, which is approximately 100 miles from London. As the others have said, this is easily accessible by train, and a quick look at http/www.nationalrail.co.uk shows that on Saturday, to arrive for just after opening, you would need to get the 8.15am train from Euston. The web site is our national rail enquiry site, and also gives details of engineering works, fares etc. Trains between London Euston and Birmingham International (the NEC station) are half-hourly for most of the day. If you plan to do any serious rail travel while you are over here, you need to ask your travel agent (I think) about getting a rail pass for the UK - you must do this before you travel! I remember asking the question before for someone who was planning to go all over the place, and that was the answer - it is cheaper to do so abroad, I don't think you can get anything similar here. If the trip to Brum (local name!) is the only rail travel you plan, then you can buy (at the station on the day) a "Saver Return" ticket which will cost you 36.50 (GBP) each. Sometimes "Cheap Day Return" tickets are available, but nothing has shown up as available on the website.
The NEC is adjacent to Birmingham International Station - you just follow the signs! It takes about ten minutes to walk from the platform to the Pavilion (which is the relevant exhibition hall). Parking at the NEC now is 6.00 pounds per vehicle - at least, it was the last time we went. As the BBC Clothes Show is likely to be on, the car parks are likely to be packed! The main reason why the station is called Birmingham International is that it is "next door" to Birmingham Airport. There is a transport link between the two. >How much time should I allow to see the fair? (all day?) Definitely all day if it is your first time and you plan to buy rather than just look - it is possible to get round quicker, but only by not stopping and talking to people you know!!! If you know what you want from which supplier, then get a show guide, sit down with a cuppa and plan your route - then you might only need half a day :-). >And DH wants to know if there are other things of interest in the area >since he doesn't want to go to the lace fair <G> I was born in Birmingham, now live twenty miles north. A great deal of the answer to this question depends on what is he interested in? The National Motorcycle Museum is very close to the NEC, or a twenty minute train ride will take him into the City Centre (Birmingham New Street) where there are quite a few other areas of interest (not just shopping!). As the others have said, there are normally several other shows on at the same time, but be aware that some are trade shows, not open to the general public. There is a Tourist Information Centre on the main NEC Concourse, who can advise. Last year I combined my visit to the lace fair with seeing the Cat Show, this year, from what Jean has just said, I might be tempted by the railway one (is it Warley Models, Jean? - that very rarely coincides!). Let me know what he is likely to want to do, and I'll let you know if there is anything nearby that suits. -- Jane Partridge - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
