Birmingham has an industrial heritage that stretches back several hundred years. For many years Birmingham was particularly noted for its small arms manufacturers, and the Bull Ring market is one of the oldest in the UK. In the early 19th century, the city benefited from the creation of a large canal network to allow transport of raw materials, fuel and finished goods, and much of this remains today - although it is generally only used for leisure purposes.

Today's Birmingham relies on a more diverse mixture of industry, commerce and retail. One of its best known facilities is the Birmingham NEC (National Exhibition Centre). This huge complex plays host to more than 40% of the UK's exhibition and conference trade. Birmingham is also the second largest retail centre in the UK, with several large shopping complexes, such as the Bullring - whose shops cover the area of 26 football pitches!

The city also has a wide range of attractions for tourists and visitors, including the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, St Philip's Cathedral and a wide range of markets - from fresh farm produce to the famous monthly antiques market at Edgbaston's Bull Ring Rag Market.

Birmingham's size and thriving mixture of business, industry and residential areas means that it's a major centre for van hire in the West Midlands. We've listed the van hire branches in Birmingham above, and further choices are available in nearby towns such as Solihull, Walsall, Smethwick, West Bromwich and Oldbury, as well as outlying districts such as Sutton Coldfield. Expect a wide choice of vans for hire in Birmingham, including all of the types below:

• Medium / short wheelbase vans - e.g. Ford Transit, Vauxhall Vivaro, Renault Trafic, Volkswagen Transporter
• Small vans - e.g. Vauxhall Combo, Ford Transit Connect, VW Caddy
• Large / long wheelbase vans - e.g. Mercedes Sprinter XLWB, Ford Transit LWB, Renault Master, LDV Maxus
• Luton vans & box vans (3.5 tonne / 3.5t).