This short tour takes in five varied displays as reviewed on HoHoHo, it starts modestly and builds to a blazing finale in the bright lights of the City Centre.

 

First of all pile as many friends and family into a car as you can safely manage and set off driving to Birmingham’s Middle Ring Road, the A4540 you are heading for the Birthplace of HoHoHo.

 

From Fiveways Roundabout travel clockwise, at the next roundabout, take the second exit onto Icknield Port Road. Take the fourth right off Icknield Port Road down Wiggin Street, left and left again onto Marroway Street. At the far end on the right you will find the display that first inspired us to make HoHoHo. This is a quiet, narrow cul de sac so a careful three point turn is required once you have admired this first display.

 

At the end of Marroway Street a left turn takes you onto Northbrook Street and a right puts you over the canal and railway onto Dudley Road, past the City Hospital to the old redbrick library at the bottom of Spring Hill. Take the third exit up Ladywood Middleway and second left on Ledsam Street. A first right brings you to Rodney Close and, round on the right, to this tour’s second display.

 

The amazing inflatable snowman of Rodney Close 

 

Depending how comfortable you feel on Rodney Close and what the weather’s like, you may want to leave the car and walk onto the grass towards the ring road. Behind you to your left is the block of flats that proudly sports the third display of our tour. If it’s our pouring with rain and there are coach loads of HoHoHo fans on Rodney Close you may choose to cruise by this third display on your way home at the end of the tour.

 

Back in the car and at the end of Rodney Close you need to take a right, don’t get distracted by Gt.Tindal Street, you need to get to the end of Ledsam Street and turn right again onto St Vincent Street West. You don’t need these instructions to warn you that the first left is Gilby Road, the illuminations will guide you in. Who knows what the balance of power will be like by the time you get there. These two impressive displays are created by two branches of the same family and they provide the domestic climax of this tour.

 

The inflatable family of Gilby Road 

 

 

If you have a head for heights and a little money to burn we recommend you follow Gilby Road, round the back of Tescos, until you reach the t-junction with Sheepcote Street. A left here, following the road round the back of the NIA, third exit at the roundabout up King Edwards Road brings you onto Cambridge Street. Now park up the car and admire the Civic and Commercial lights of Broad Street the take a ride on the big wheel for a spectacular view of the illuminated city. Rides cost £5 for anyone over 12, £3 for younger children or £14 for a family of four. Your ride will last eight minutes, so it isn’t cheap, but it is spectacular and cheaper than a room at the Hyatt!

 

The big wheel