Timeline
07:50
Arrive at the National Exhibition Centre grounds. Find a spot near the perimeter where you can watch the horizon without getting in the way of early event staff or visitors.
08:10
Watch the sunrise at 08:10. The sun is setting toward the SW, but the morning light brings a soft, clear glow to the vast structure. Take in the scale of the 21 halls as they wake up.
08:30
Head to the nearest food or drink shop inside or immediately adjacent to the venue for breakfast or coffee. Check the route to the specific outlet, as options vary by event day.
08:55
Finish your coffee and check the day's exhibition schedule. The golden light period begins around 15:23, but the morning calm is the best part of the visit.
Local tip
The venue is huge. If you are attending an event, arrive early to park and walk to your hall. If just visiting for the sunrise, keep your car close to the entrance you use.
Check before you go
- Check the NEC website for opening hours of food and drink outlets on the day, as they may vary depending on whether an event is running.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Birmingham (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).