Location: Birmingham City Centre (from New Street all the way up to Council House)

Opening Hours: 10am – 9pm from mid November – 23 December every year.

Website:http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/frankfurtmarket

Summary:

This is my second vist to this market – came last year. Its a hugh market with around 100 stalls selling anything from craft to food. The arrangements seemed identical (who and where) to last year.

There is a food court at the Colemore Row end of Council House. There you can eat  (hot food) and drink beer and wine.

The hot food stands include: burgers or mushrooms with fried potatoes – not McDonald and chips, crepes, flamed grilled hams with coleslaw etc – this is a very impressive stand jsut to watch, pretzels filled with various fillings, garlic bread, grilled german sausages in buns etc…

The drinks stands offers a variety of german beers (which you will not easily get here) on draft. There are also a variety of mulled wines. With drinks you pay a deposit of £3.00 or £3.50 on your glass or mug which you will get back when you return your glass. You are also encouraged to walk away with the glass as a souvenir. The food range from about £3- £7 depending on what you are buying.

At the otherend of the Council House, you can sample German wine and if you go right up to Paradise Circus, you can find a few interesting non German stalls selling organic cider and various crafts.

There is also another “pub” selling beer half way up New Street. You can also find a baker (various type of country and rye bread with a selection of cakes) and a German Deli up this end of the street. The Brockwursts are excellent – £20 for 20 – I buy them every year. They also sell cheese.

Throughout the market you can get all sorts of sweet things from chocolates to stollen etc……

Most of the shops are craft shops selling games, pottery and art deco type products.

This is a fun place to come – if it stays dry, as its all out doors.

Eddie

Dec 2009