The Mailbox

Visit The Mailbox to browse the shops, grab some lunch or pamper yourself. Formerly a Royal Mail sorting office, it was refurbished and reopened in 1998 as a multipurpose retail and office space. It is home to a wide array of luxury fashion stores, restaurants, beauty salons and a television studio.

Hit the shops as soon as you arrive, exploring luxury delights in fashion boutiques such as Hugo Boss and Emporio Armani. Don't forget to stock on up on designer homeware and lifestyle goodies too.

If you fancy a break from the shopping hustle, the centre's Castle Galleries is a tranquil space featuring rotating exhibitions by prestigious international artists. Recent shows include an exhibition devoted to Eve Arnold, the "Life" magazine photographer renowned for her photos of Marilyn Monroe. If you fancy buying some artwork, the gallery has some fantastic original pieces and limited edition prints for sale.

BBC Birmingham's public studio makes for a unique addition to this retail complex. Open for tours and recordings, the studio is a great place for a family excursion. Buy a ticket for the 90-minute tour to gain access to the sets and for the chance to try out your skills as a newsreader. Watch live BBC TV and radio broadcasts, or take the kids to do some drawing or miming. Check the Tours section of the BBC website for more information.

Stop for a well-deserved lunch at one of the restaurants lining the canal. There's a broad range of cuisine to suit all tastes, from Asian dishes to African food to Mediterranean fare, and the views over the water make for an idyllic setting.

For a panorama of this great city, head out of The Mailbox to The Cube next door. This striking residential and commercial complex towers above the surrounding cityscape and its 25th floor is home to celebrity chef Marco Pierre White's eponymous restaurant Marco's.

You'll find The Mailbox in the southwest of the city, close to the Symphony Hall and Birmingham Cathedral. Come by bus or catch a train to Birmingham New Street station. Alternatively you can drive and use the pay-and-display parking. The Mailbox is open 365 days a year check the website for opening hours for individual shops and eateries, and for information about sales and discounts.