The NEC is located at the heart of the UK motorway network. It is served by Birmingham International Rail Station and connected to Birmingham Airport by a cable-hauled people mover (90 seconds).

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The campus perimeter is shown in red.

The Atrium links Halls 6-12 and 17-20 on the east side of the complex. These halls form a crescent that partially encircles Hall 16 which is detached.

The Atrium is linked by Skywalk to the Piazza on the west side of the complex.

The Piazza, which overlooks Pendigo Lake, is flanked by Halls 1-5 and connected to the LG Arena by an elongated Pavilion.

1) Food & Bar: self-service 200-cover restaurant serving sandwiches, salads, hot and cold meals;

2) Foodmarket: market-style takeaways;

3) Foodexpress: sandwiches, salads, snacks and drinks;

4) Foodfeature: menu varies from week to week (e.g. deli, noodle, sausage & mash, jacket potato, curry);

5) Food Cafe Bar: alcohol, hot drinks, sandwiches, snacks (in halls 9-12);

6) Exhibitionist: table service restaurant and bar serving a seasonal menu;

7) Food Bank: self-service restaurant;

8) Damn Fine Sandwich Company: speciality sandwiches;

9) Eastern Oven: restaurant/takeaway serving Chinese, Indian and Italian dishes and coffee, pancakes and bagels;

10) Starbucks: coffee, sandwiches, cakes and pastries;

11) Subway: salads, sandwiches, muffins, cookies, kids' meals;

12) JD Wetherspoon: pub serving traditional British and international dishes;

13) Pasty Presto: Cornish pasties, baguettes, soups, salads, cakes, coffee etc.
 

The LG Arena hosts showbiz spectaculars and major sporting events such as the Horse of the Year Show.

The arena, which first opened in 1980, had become increasingly antiquated, particularly by comparison to other major indoor arenas such as the London O2 and Manchester MEN.

However, it has recently been refurbished and equipped with improved seating, backstage facilities and hospitality zones. The capacity has been increased from 11,000 to 14,000.

Outlets include:

1) Deci Bar: pints, spirits, soft drinks etc.

2) The Kitchen: cantina style restaurant with views of Pendigo Lake;

3) Cafe Bar: located between Forumlive and the arena bowl;

4) Food Express: 8 takeaway outlets serving dishes such as sausage & mash, pizza, pies, wraps, rolls, potatoes, Balti etc.

5) Food Feature: Bespoke menus that change to suit particular events, e.g. champagne and seafood, wine & cheese;

6) Bar & Bites: mid-show snack booths behind the arena bowl seats;

There is also a VIP area, the Lakeside Gallery, that offers pre-show dining/hospitality packages and a private restaurant, the Sanctum, with direct access to VIP seating on the Showdeck.

The VIP/hospitality areas have their own private entrances.

The National Exhibition Centre is connected to Birmingham city centre by the A45 Coventry Road.

There are over 26,000 parking spaces at the NEC.

There are generally 6 trains per hour to Birmingham New Street, 4 trains per hour to London Euston, 1 train per hour to Bournemouth, Coventry, Manchester Piccadilly, Northampton, Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury, and 1 train every 2 hours to Holyhead and Aberystwyth.

Typical journey times are 1 hour 15 minutes to London Euston and 10 minutes to Birmingham New Street.

Please consult our guide to Birmingham International Railway Station for more information.

Please note that routes may vary from time to time.

Please note that bus routes may vary from time to time.

Cabs may also be booked on the following numbers: 0500 34555, 0121 552 2333 and 0121 552 5050

The Crowne Plaza is on Pendigo Way, next to Pendigo Lake, barely 200 metres from the exhibition halls; it contains a bar, a cocktail lounge, a fine dining lakeside restaurant and  242 guest rooms & suites equipped with cable and satellite TV and high-speed internet access.

Other facilities include a staffed business centre, 11 custom-designed meeting suites and a 280-space car park. A complimentary shuttle runs to Birmingham Airport and Birmingham International Railway Station.

The Hilton Birmingham Metropole is set amidst lakeside woodland on Herbert Drive, barely 100 metres from the exhibition halls.

The hotel contains 790 guest rooms, 33 suites, 33 meeting rooms (total capacity 2000), a business centre, an executive lounge, a 24/7 cocktail bar (The Lounge), an English-style pub (Millers), an informal buffet restaurant (Boulevard) and an international fine dining restaurant (La Primavera).

Other facilities include a health club and fitness centre with a jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, cardio equipment, weights, a beauty salon and indoor pool. Secure parking is provided.

The facilities include 8 meeting and function rooms, a free car park and the HUB lounge bar and restaurant.

The hotel has 179 guest rooms, serves a complimentary continental breakfast and has a bar that screens live sport; pets are allowed subject to conditions.

Other facilities include a 280-space chargeable car park and a complimentary shuttle to the NEC and Birmingham International Rail Station.

The bedrooms contain satellite television and a modem/telephone point; high speed chargeable internet is available. The restaurant serves breakfast at a surcharge; other facilities include meeting rooms and a car park; park and fly packages are available.

Please consult our page on Birmingham Airport for more information about airport hotels or go to our hotel directory for information about hotels in Birmingham

Thieves mingled with workmen in order to steal designer furniture from a stand that was being dismantled at the Interior Show on Wednesday 26/01/11 (News Archive 14/02/11)