Meet Shirl
Family Hobbies
Football, Cycling, Swimming, Fitness, gym, Cooking
Hosting guests since
2009
Response Rate
100%
Response Time
Within one hour
About the Homestay
** NEWS FLASH! - CLICK ON INDIVIDUAL ROOM LINK FOR GREAT ROOM RATE OFFERS!!! **
In a great location, Handsworth Wood, a stones throw away from the park with boating lake, hire boats and cafe. 15 minutes to the City Centre. Close to the Universities - including ASTON and UCB, Language schools, Football stadiums, Jewellery Quarter, Transport links, Shopping Centres and amenities! 30 minutes by car to Birmingham Airport and The NEC - The National Exhibition Centre.
If you are looking for a bright clean sunny room then you are welcome to come and share our family home. If you're clean, tidy and considerate then this might be the place for you.
Perfect for professionals, students - great place to practice your English! Ideal for long term or short term lets if you're just visiting Birmingham for a short break.
VEGAN and VEGETARIAN guests are most welcome so long as you are OK about having meat in the home.
I share my lovely home with my 22 yr old daughter and 12 year old son. We're a sociable and friendly bunch whilst respectfully allowing you your privacy and space when preferred. I have previously hosted international students from a variety of countries including – France, Vietnam, China, Nigeria, Kazakhstan, Bulgaria, Belgium, Germany.
Our hobbies are varied but include football, travel, reading, learning Spanish, socialising, music gigs, cooking, arts and crafts, watching movies and going to the cinema, good food and eating out. Guests are welcome to accompany us on social outings during their stay.
We offer 4 spacious rooms for rent by guests in our large tastefully decorated modern family home set over 3 floors. With 2. 5 full bathrooms and toilets.
Shoes to be removed downstairs, only indoor shoes allowed on carpeted areas.
Please note that full payment is required on the day of arrival in Sterling currency.
** For longer term bookings of 30 nights or more please message me for other payment options. **
House facilities
Separate laundry room for your use during your stay
Use of iron and ironing board
WIFI - WIRELESS INTERNET
Washing machine
Large kitchen diner
You're welcome to use the kitchen (to cook light meals) but we ask that you clean up after yourself
Microwave
Own kitchen cupboard with crockery and cutlery
Guests have their own shared kitchen fridge
Central heating and double glazing through out
Smoke alarm on all floors
Carbon monoxide detector fitted
Annual Gas and electricity safety check and certificates (– available for inspection if required)
Fire blanket and fire extinguisher in the kitchen
Parking
House Facilities
- Garden
- Bikes for use
- Laundry
- Patio
- Barbecue
- Parking
- TV
- Internet Access
- Smoke alarm
Welcomes
- Males
- Females
- Couples
- Families
- Students
Bedrooms available for booking
About the Area
In a great location, Handsworth Wood, a stones throw away from the park with boating lake, hire boats and café. 15 minutes to the City Centre. Close to the Universities, Language schools, Football stadiums, Jewellery Quarter, Transport links, Shopping Centres and amenities! 30 minutes by car to Birmingham Airport and The NEC - The National Exhibition Centre.
Things to do and places to go! - really too many to mention so ask us for more information. But here are some of our favourites in the meantime...
Soho house is 10 minutes by car http://www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/soho
Why not treat your loved one, or yourself to some jewellery from the world famous Jewellery Quarter http://jewelleryquarter.net/shopping/ A mere 10 minutes from our home. Not to mention the lovely restaurants and bars
Close to many UNIVERSITIES and language schools. For example:
Aston university http://www.aston.ac.uk/study/
Birmingham City university http://www.bcu.ac.uk/
University of Birmingham http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/index.aspx
The language gallery -http://www.thelanguagegallery.com/locations/birmingham
Brasshouse language school https://brasshouse.birmingham.gov.uk/
Birmingham graduate school http://www.bgschool.org.uk/
If you're into keeping fit there's a park right by the home with boating lake and café. Also a leisure centre close by.- http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/handsworthpark
Visit Edgbaston Reservoir http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/reservoir
The beautiful and historic St Mary's church described as “ The cathedral of the industrial Revolution” is 5 minutes walk from the house - http://handsworthstmary.org/image-gallery/
Why not have a go at some of the water sports – 15 minutes from our home!
http://edgbastonwatersports.co.uk/
The Mac – Arts complex just 20 minutes by car https://macbirmingham.co.uk/whats-on
Custard factory with great eats and funky shops is a mere 20 minutes in the car or 30 mins by public transport - http://www.custardfactory.co.uk/
Why not check out Digbeth dining – Birminghams original street food event every Friday with great food and phat beats! - http://digbethdiningclub.com/gallery-page
The Jam House – one stop venue for food, music and entertainment 10 minutes by car and 20 minutes by public transport - http://www.thejamhouse.com/birmingham/
Birmingham Southside - http://visitbirmingham.com/birmingham-areas/birmingham/southside/
The Pen Museum - http://penmuseum.org.uk/
Cineworld Broad Street - http://www.cineworld.co.uk/cinemas/birmingham-broad-street
The ICC - http://www.theicc.co.uk/
The Blue Orange theatre - http://www.blueorangetheatre.co.uk/
Eating, Drinking and Shopping - There are a number of local shops nearby including a 24 hours Tesco and Lidl
One Stop Retail Shopping Park http://onestop-shopping.co.uk/ 6 minutes by car and 16 minutes by bus
The number 16w bus takes you to the New Square Shopping Centre, cinema and restaurants - http://newsquarewestbromwich.co.uk/
The Button Factory - new Bar and restaurant in the jewellery quarter - http://thebuttonfactorybirmingham.co.uk/
Brindley place - http://www.brindleyplace.com/category/restaurants/
Sidewalk Bar and restaurant - http://sidewalkbirmingham.com/
The Mailbox - http://www.mailboxlife.com/dining-nightlife/
China Town - http://visitbirmingham.com/birmingham-areas/birmingham/chinatown/
I am happy to share more ideas about local activities and places of interest around Birmingham on your arrival.
Guests are welcome to accompany us on social outings
Local Area Facilities
- Park
- Gym
- Swimming
- Bowling
- Cinema
- Library
- Museum
- Shopping Centre
- Water sports
- Sports arena
- Health club
- Fishing
- Restaurant
- Airport
- Bus Stop
- Train station
- Hospital
Meals
Please note that only a light breakfast is included in the room rate. All other meals will incur an additional cost. Meals and any additional payment should be arranged directly with your host.
Included in the stay
- Light Breakfast
- Use of Kitchen
Diet Type available on request
- Vegetarian
- Halal
House Rules
House rules for peaceful and harmonious living
We are an Eco- friendly home so we ask that you kindly recycle, turn off lights, water, fan and electric heater when not in use please.
Ours is a quiet relaxing home so we ask that there is no loud music or excessive noise after 10 pm
No smoking allowed in the house
Shoes to be removed downstairs, only indoor shoes allowed on carpeted areas.
As this is a family home we ask that no guests or strangers enter our home without prior discussion and agreement with the host
For yours and our safety and security we ask that you remember to always close all windows and to lock the front door on entering and leaving the home.
And finally we want your stay to be as comfortable and pleasant as possible so if there is anything you are unsure about, then please ask :-)
Please note that full payment is required on the day of arrival in Sterling currency.
** For longer term bookings of 30 nights or more please message me for other payment options.**
Additional services provided
An evening meal can be provided on the day of your arrival, by prior arrangement. This can include a vegetarian or Halal option or why not sample some of my Caribbean dishes. This will incur an additional charge
A kettle for making tea and coffee can be provided for your room on request, at no extra cost. please let us know before your arrival.
Hair dryer and fan provided on request, at no extra cost
A microwave and fridge are provided in the kitchen for the use by guests also.
Photocopying and Faxing can be done on request but may incur an additional charge
With prior agreement rides and pick ups can be arranged, when possible and at an additional cost
Smoking is not allowed.
19 Reviews
May 2017
I have stayed with too many hosts around the world during my numerous trips so far, and I can say from the bottom of my heart that Shirley was definitely the best host ever; and I'm sure she'll keep being the best one wherever I go and whoever I stay with for the rest of my life.
It was extremely comfortable and peaceful time I spent in this blessed house that I cannot put into words. I enjoyed everything that was served for me to the last, and spent a perfect night, after which I totally felt unwound after hours of walking and standing on my feet around the town during two days.
And lastly, if you're to visit Birmingham, prefer no luxurious hotels or that type of extravagant places to stay. Just book a room in this lovely house and enjoy Birmingham.
Host reply
THANK YOU so much for your kind and lovely review Omer.
It was a total pleasure meeting you.
Stay blessed.
Shirl
April 2017
I spent a little more than 2 months at Shirl's place. It was really awesome ! The house is really well located, only 15 mins max from the city center by bus. The house was really clean and quiet. Shirley and her family are super nice people that respect your intimacy while always be ready to have a chat if you feel like it. A great place if you want to feel home, i'll miss it.
Host reply
Thanks Pauline for your kind review.
It was a pleasure welcoming you to our home.
Shirl
April 2017
Everyone has been really nice and helpful during my stay; the house is always clean and in a really nice residential area.
It's super easy to reach the city centre from here and there's a really nice park within walking distance (it only takes a couple of minutes to get there).Host reply
Thanks Sofia for your kind review.
It was a pleasure welcoming you to our home.
Shirl
March 2017
Living with Shirl and her kinds was a great experience, they are so friendly and also ready to offer their help. I enjoy this homestay so far. The house is also clean and quite. The neighborhood is nice as well.
Host reply
Thanks Bouchra for your kind review.
It was a pleasure welcoming you to our home.
ShirlFebruary 2017
Very beautiful, cozy and clean house to spend one or further nights/days. A real home for travellers. Thank you.
Host reply
Thanks Eulalie for your kind review.
It was a pleasure welcoming you to our home.
Shirl
February 2017
Shirl is a lovely, warm and friendly host. This is a perfect place to stay for anyone wanting a calm, clean , well-furnished family home with easy access to a bus service to Birmingham City Centre, which is about 20 minutes away, depending on the time of day.
Host reply
Thanks Denise for your kind review.
It was a pleasure welcoming you to our home.
ShirlFebruary 2017
This is definitely the best homestay I've had in the UK. Shirl and her family are warm and welcoming towards each of our guests. They were pleased to chat with us and provided their services very professionally as a host. I cannot find any weakness to comment on this host family and would not hesitate to recommended them to any people who are coming around here to study or work.
Host reply
Thanks Leo for your kind review.
It was a pleasure welcoming you to our home.
Shirl
February 2017
It was fantastic and also an opportunity for me to experience such a God fearing family that often made me feel as one of their own. Regrettably, I had to leave too soon and that made me feel sorry not to have met this family in the first instance.
Host reply
Thanks Albert for your kind review.
It was a pleasure welcoming you to our home.
Shirl
February 2017
I spent 5 months in Shirl's beautiful house with her and her lovely family. You simply could not dream of a better place to stay! The house is situated in a quiet residential area (which is great for the student that I am), which is more or less a twenty-minute bus ride from the city centre. As the others said, the house is spotless. Besides the fact that I really enjoyed chatting with Shirl and her family, getting to know people from everywhere was great. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Host reply
Thanks Anthonya for your kind review
It was a real pleasure welcoming you to our home.
Shirl
January 2017
I spent two weeks with Shirl and family. They were very welcoming and the house was comfortable and clean. I will stay with them again if I need to.
Host reply
Thanks Ilva for your kind review.
It was a pleasure welcoming you to our home.
Shirl