Summer in the City

Living at The Octagon positions you right at the heart of one of the UK’s most exciting cities, with award-winning restaurants, live entertainment, beautiful canals and green spaces all within easy reach. You benefit from the convenience of having some of Birmingham’s most popular destinations just a short stroll away, making it easy to experience everything the city has to offer without relying on a car.

With more miles of canals than Venice, during summer the waterways are a popular destination for tourists and residents alike. Brindleyplace and The Mailbox, both minutes from The Octagon, have fantastic canal side dining and are lovely places to sit and watch the world go by. Take a stroll around Gas Street Basin where the Worcester and Birmingham Canal meet the BCN Main Line or walk along the water’s edge to Utilita Arena and take in a show.

Boasting a year-round calendar of world-class entertainment, summer is a particularly good time to enjoy one of the many food and drink festivals or cultural celebrations the city hosts. Throughout August, Birmingham Restaurant Festival takes place with a month of great value menus and delicious dining experiences at restaurants across the city.  The Birmingham Weekender is held over the August Bank Holiday weekend and invites audiences to discover the city centre in a whole new light with live DJs and mirror balls popping up all over at iconic landmarks. There are also a multitude of artisan markets to visit, and several areas of the city offer outdoor cinema screenings.

Summer is also the perfect time to explore the many shopping districts. From luxury brands and high street favourites to small, independent boutiques, Birmingham is a great place to indulge in some retail therapy! Large shopping centres such as the Bullring and Grand Central provide some respite from the heat while the Jewellery Quarter adds some special sparkle with its array of eponymous diamond outlets!

Of course, summer is also a great time of year to stay active, and The Octagon is not only home to a fully equipped resident gym, but also just a few steps away from the recently opened Luxe Fitness. If being in the great outdoors is more your idea of exercise, then fantastic running, cycling and walking routes are all on the doorstep along with excellent parks and green spaces.

Summer is in full swing, and Birmingham is bursting with things to do and places to enjoy – and, being at The Octagon, you’re perfectly placed to take advantage of absolutely all of it!