Directions
to The University of Birmingham
from the M40

If you approach Birmingham on the M40 from the south, you must drive to the end of the M40. Junction 16 is the last junction on the M40. About two and a half miles after that you will reach the end of the M40 where it joins with the M42:
             Bear Right onto the M42 West
Follow the M42 past Junctions 3, 2, and 1. The M42 will end at a junction with the M5.
             Take the M5 North
Go one junction:
             Leave the M5 at Junction 4
             Turn Right onto the A38 North
This turn will be signposted to Birmingham. You must now follow the A38 all the way to the University. At this point, the A38 is Birmingham Road. But this soon changes into the Rubery Bypass and then Bristol Road South. After 2-3/4 miles you will come to a roundabout where you cannot go straight across.
             Follow the A38 Left at the Longbridge Roundabout
After another 3-3/4 miles you will come to two sets of traffic lights where the A4040 crosses the A38. At the first, Harborne Lane is on the Left and Oak Tree Lane is on the Right. At the second, Chapel Lane is on the left. Harborne Lane and Chapel Lane are one-way streets and are the two halves of the A4040. Between these two streets on the left is a large Sainsbury's supermarket. Once you have found this traffic light you are in Selly Oak. The A38 will have changed into Bristol Road by now. Follow the A38 (Bristol Road) down a long hill through Selly Oak. Pass one traffic light (not counting pedestrian crossings) on the hill in Selly Oak and then a second one at the bottom of the hill. At this second traffic light, the large, ornamental University South Gate will be on your left and Bournbrook Road will be on your right. The sports pitches are just over the wall to your left, but there is no where to park here and you will not be able to enter through the South Gate. Continue straight along Bristol Road for another 800 feet, then:
             Turn Left onto Edgbaston Park Road
After 375 feet:
             Turn Left into the South Car Park
The barriers to the South Car Park will almost certainly be closed, but do not despair. Push the button on the intercom and speak nicely to security. They should let you in. Once through the gates, turn left and park outside. In fact, the middle and lower levels of the multi-storey car park should be closed off by big metal gates. This is for your own good. It is best to park out in the open where the security cameras can see your car.

Once out of your car, you want to make your way to the southwest corner of the car park. Which way is south? Well, if you stand facing the parking structure, the gate you came in through will be to your right, a brick wall will be behind you, and a chain-link fence will be to your left. The chain-link fence runs along the south edge of the car park. Walk past the big metal gate that restricts access to the parking structure. Walk along the road, the structure will be to your right and the chain-link fence will be to your left.

In the southwest corner you will find a set of car ramps used for servicing cars. Just to the right (north) of that you will find a footpath leading out of the car park. There are two white, metal poles to keep cars from driving on the footpath. Once on the path you will see the blue-green sports pitches directly in front of you. Walk around the pitches to the left; the changing rooms are on the south side of the pitches.

Alternative Parking on Campus

Alternatively, you may try to park on campus rather than in the South Car Park. Continue north on Edgbaston Park Road for 350 feet past the South Car Park and:
             Turn Left into the University East Gate
The barriers here are likely to be closed too. If they are, use the centre lane and push the button on the intercom to talk to security. You can explain what you are here for, but I am not sure they will let you in. The worst that could happen is they will ask you to turn around, go back, and park in the South Car Park. But, if they let you through:
             Turn Left onto Ring Road South
Follow the Ring Road a quarter of the way around. You will see the blue-green sports pitches to your left at the bottom of the hill. Park anywhere nearby that is convenient and walk to the changing rooms on the other side (south side) of the pitches.