Based in the heart of England, Birmingham is the UK’s second largest city (after London). With a population of 1.1 million, and a history dating back 1400 years, it’s one of the oldest inhabited places in the country.
The West Midlands city draws a large number of tourists from around the world due to a wealth of attractions including museums, parks, a growing street art scene and expanding tech and creative hub. But also, most especially due to it’s rich heritage and global importance as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution – making Birmingham the first city on earth to enter the modern era.
Do you like Peaky Blinders? Then this offer is for you!
The tour gives you an opportunity to learn about the history of gangs in Birmingham and other cultural and historical interesting facts about this city. Moreover, a distant cousin of the real-life Birmingham Gang will show you around the city and teach you the ropes of being a Peaky Blinder. Don't miss such a unique opportunity!
Book the tour HEREBeing a Brummie myself (the term for a Birmingham local), means I know the city like the back of my hand, so I know all the best spots here.
Scroll on to read The Top 10 Things to Do in Birmingham, UK (by a Local):
Table of Contents
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Birmingham tourist information
How to get there
Air: The main airport is Birmingham International (BHX), 14 miles away from Birmingham. Click here for airport transfers to Birmingham.
Getting around Birmingham
Cycling: There are new and updated networks of cycle routes in the city center.
Bus: Buses are easy to use and run regularly from numerous stops. An adult trip costs £2 (cards are accepted).
Train: The main station is Birmingham Grand Central (New Street) right in the heart of the city and has great transport links to the rest of the UK. You can get a train from London to Birmingham in just 1.5 hours!
Car: Birmingham’s roads are very easy and convenient to navigate. You can hire a rental car here.
Best time to visit Birmingham
Birmingham Attractions Map
Essential West Midlands Travel Resources:
For more useful West Midlands travel guide information, check out these articles:
Birmingham Essentials Checklist:
- A good quality raincoat (it tends to rain a lot in the UK)
- A decent pair of walking shoes (there’s a lot of walking in this city)
- A hoodie or warm sweater (to wear under your jacket, it can be cool or chilly here)
- A good quality compact camera (for taking great pics)
Top 10 Things to Do in Birmingham, UK (by a local)
1. The Custard Factory & Street Art Scene
The Custard Factory is home to a range of independent shops, cafes and bars as well as a variety of creative and digital businesses.
The site was originally a large factory complex built by Alfred Bird, the 19th century inventor of egg-free custard.
One of the best things you can do in the city is explore Digbeth – home to Birmingham’s growing street art scene – there are countless murals and wall art of all sizes all over the district: on old factory buildings, in the hidden alleyways, on the bridges and archways.
The beauty of this place is that new murals and artwork are being spray-painted all the time, often replacing/overlapping existing murals, which means the region is constantly visually changing on a weekly basis.
Personally this is one of my favourite Birmingham sightseeing activities as there is always something new and different to see every time I’m there.
If you’re a fan of vibrant, impressive and politically-charged graffiti art like myself, this is a place well worth checking out. You can book tickets for a guided city tour of Birmingham here:
Digbeth, Birmingham: Graffiti Street Art
Check out this incredible video footage of the amazing street art in Digbeth, by videographer James Aldridge Media, shot in January 2022:
2. Cadbury World
One of the UK’s most popular family attractions, Cadbury World the UK’s favourite chocolatier, is perfect for kids of all ages, and a must for anyone visiting the city.
Situated in the city’s southern district of Bournville, Cadbury World is one of the major tourist places in Birmingham, featuring an exciting self-guided exhibition tour of the origins of chocolate and the history of Cadbury, the world’s second-largest chocolate brand, which was the UK’s first established chocolate manufacturer when it was originally named Bournville.
You’ll discover the origins of the cocoa bean amidst the trees and waterfalls of the Aztec jungles, add to that magical Cadabra rides, a 4D Chocolate Adventure zone, and free chocolate for all, its easy to see why Cadbury World is one of the most sought-after tourist attractions in Birmingham.
3. The National SEA LIFE Centre
Head over to this underwater world of magical discoveries that holds over 2000 beautiful, fun and cheeky, sea animals.
One of the most fun things to do Birmingham city centre is take a trip to one of the UK’s best Aquariums: the SEA LIFE Centre. Includes a 4D cinema and the UK’s only 360 degree ocean tunnel – home to sharks, rays and giant sea turtles. A perfect day out for families and children, and one of the must-see attractions of Birmingham.
4. The Jewellery Quarter
One of the best things you can do in Birmingham is discover it’s rich past: The Jewellery Quarter – a former industrial district that’s home to over 100 retailers, diamond dealers, and workshops, as well as the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, and the Coffin Works.
An 18th Century church sits in the centre of St. Paul’s Square, and the surrounding area is rejuvenated with Indie stores, trendy bars, chic cafes and art galleries, along with modern Indian, Spanish and Italian eateries.
The Museum of the Jewellery Quarter
A perfectly preserved 18th century jewellery workshop that offers a unique glimpse into working life in the Jewellery Quarter. It’s an excellent place to get yourself a beautifully personalised, hand-crafted jewellery gift on request. You can book a Jewellery Quarter guided tour here:
The Coffin Works
A fully restored, Victorian coffin fittings workshop that’s also home to the Newman Brothers Museum. Costumed guides lead you around the factory where you will experience the sights, sounds and smells of factory life and hear the stories of workers, owners and trade.
5. Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
Situated in the heart of the city next to the Town Hall, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is a large Victorian building with a domed, Round Room.
Seeking the best galleries and museums in Birmingham? Look no further. The Art Gallery has an extensive collection of Pre-Raphaelites paintings from the 14th Century onwards, and the Museum hosts huge exhibits of antiquities and artefacts from Ancient Egypt, Ancient India and Central Asia, the Roman Empire and the Middle Ages, as well as the largest collection of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found.
6. Canal Boat Trip
There’s no better way to experience Birmingham than by cruising the city’s canals and discovering the rich heritage of the city that sparked the Industrial Revolution more than 200 years ago.
Without a doubt one of the more unique Birmingham activities. Starting from Sherborne Wharf, take a trip on one of three luxury passenger narrowboats as it winds its way around the bustling heart of Birmingham.
Fans of the Peaky Blinders will get a chance to witness the old coal factories and cobbled streets around Gas Street Basin, that once brought the city alive with blazing fires, smoke and noise as seen in the hit TV series.
Alternatively, you can take the Victorian Canals to Today’s City Walking Tour for a guided walk where you’ll learn the importance of the canals to the Industrial Revolution, or if you like, you can even go paddleboarding on canals in Birmingham and the West Midlands.
7. Bullring Shopping Centre
Situated right in the heart of town, the Bullring is the UK’s largest city-based shopping centre and one of the best malls in the country.
It has a host of well-known high-street fashion stores and household shops, as well as popular restaurants and cafes. Its convenient location makes it easy to drop by lunch or a quick coffee break while on your day tour, and there’s free wifi too.
The Bullring and surrounding area are also well-known for international food outlets, and you can discover some of the best Italian restaurants here.
8. The Birmingham Botanical Gardens
One of the city’s most popular attractions, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens features four unique glasshouses as well as sprawling stunning gardens.
Each glasshouse is either a tropical rainforest, a sub-tropics jungle, a Mediterranean zone, and an arid desert. There’s even a butterfly house.
And with a playground, a tearoom and gift shop, and some of the most beautiful gardens in the UK, there’s something for everyone here.
9. The Electric Cinema
Why not catch a movie at the UK’s oldest working cinema?
Built in 1909, the historic Electric Cinema offers movie listings of all the latest releases including 3D showings. There’s optional upgrades to sofa seating at the front or right at the back, and there’s even a waiter text service during the film.
10. Chinatown
As one of the most diverse cities in the UK, Birmingham’s Chinatown is a sprawling melting pot of cultures and cuisines.
With everything from food markets, restaurants and cafes to bars, clubs, hotels, a casino, and entertainment venues, the Chinese Quarter is a gem in the heart of Birmingham and a must-visit.
Theatres like the The Alexandra, The Victoria and the Hippodrome host world-class musicals, operas, dance shows, stand-up comedy, and Birmingham’s favourite pantomime. Also in Chinatown is Birmingham Royal Ballet – the UK’s premier touring ballet company.
The food in Chinatown is naturally, the best food you’ll eat in Birmingham.
Aside from sprawling indoor food markets, there’s Chinese hand-made noodle bars and sizzling Korean hotpot restaurants, Cantonese all-you-can-eat buffets and many more – Indian, Japanese, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Thai, Indonesian, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Plus there’s several cute Taiwanese Bubble Milk Tea cafes that are well worth checking out.
My current favourite eatery is Dezhou Style Braised Chicken which serves delicious authentic homemade Szechuan style noodles, I always go for the cumin and coriander beef stir fry. Check out their rave reviews here:
Top 10 Budget Restaurants and Independent Cafes in Birmingham
Don’t forget to book travel insurance
It goes without saying really that when you travel in Europe and beyond, travel insurance is super important.
I never always bothered though. For years I travelled without insurance as I thought, “what could happen?”
Well, I once got my bag stolen in Vietnam and I had an electric shock in a hostel bathroom in Mexico. What if you’re walking down the street and your appendix suddenly bursts, leaving you in excruciating pain and requiring emergency treatment? Anything could happen.
Other Things to See & Do in Birmingham:
- The National Motorcycle Museum – for the motorbike fans, this museum holds the world’s biggest and most impressive collection of antique and modern British motorcycles. Buy your admission tickets in advance HERE.
- Birmingham Symphony Hall – enjoy live music at one of the world’s best and magnificent concert halls.
- Sutton Park – this sprawling national park sits in the north of Birmingham and is one of the biggest parks in Europe.
- Alton Towers – this one is slightly further away, Alton Towers is considered the UK’s #1 theme park. Perfect for kids, families and young couples alike.
Whats on in Birmingham this weekend?
For all the best Birmingham weekend events, click here to view a calendar of the latest and most up to date events and festivals happening in and around Birmingham city this weekend.
Places to visit near Birmingham
For more days out West Midlands and the Black Country area offers a broad range of activities, for those looking for things to do further out from Birmingham. Here’s some of the best things to see and do:
- Twycross Zoo (near Tamworth) – one of the best zoos in the UK
- Black Country Living Museum (Dudley)
- West Midlands Safari Park (Kidderminster)
- Drayton Manor Theme Park (Tamworth) – one of the best theme parks in the UK
- Shakespeare’s Birthplace & Butterfly Farm (Stratford-Upon-Avon)
- Blenheim Palace, Downton Abbey Village and The Cotswolds
- Warwick Castle (Warwick)
- The Royal Air Force Museum (Cosford) – one of the best things you can do in Wolverhampton
- The Leather Museum (Walsall)
- Cannock Chase Forest – Area of Outstanding National Beauty (Cannock)
So that’s it – the 10 best things to do in Birmingham, UK.
Birmingham is a superb city to visit for anyone traveling to the UK and I would recommend an itinerary of at least three days. It’s such a flexible and ideally located city being in the heart of England, and close by to London (1.5 hours by train or car), as well as being in the heart of the Midlands region, and close to other major cities like Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Manchester, Liverpool – all 2 hours away!
Where to Stay in Birmingham:
- Stylish City Centre Apartment (one bed apartment) – Exceptional 9.7
- Wansley Manor BnB (5-star hotel with terrace & garden) – Exceptional 10
- Dudley: Mike & Carolyn Ball B&B (One bed apartment) – Superb 9.2
- Avery Mews (Entire apartment) – Superb 9.1
- Blenheim Way (2-bed apartment) – Exceptional 9.6
Download your FREE 20-page Travel Planner Guide
General Information about Birmingham
- Area: 267.8km squared
- Weather: 8C (winter), 24C (summer)
- Population: 1.1 million (2nd in UK)
- Founded: 600AD
- International Airport: Birmingham (BHX)
- Famous Residents: Ozzy Osbourne, Led Zeppelin, UB40, David Edgar (poet), Benjamin Zephaniah (writer)
Birmingham Interactive Map
Birmingham FAQs:
Here’s 14 free things to do in Birmingham:
- Explore the city’s vibrant street art scene in Digbeth
- Visit the one of Birmingham’s many free museums and galleries – including the Ikon Gallery, RBSA Gallery, and Lapworth Museum of Geology
- Stroll through the Birmingham Botanical Gardens
- Take a tour around the Birmingham Museum of Art
- Spend an afternoon at one of Birmingham’s expansive parks and trails, like Cannon Hill Park and Sutton Park
- Visit the Symphony Hall – one of the world’s best music venues
- Shop, eat and drink at the Bullring – one of Europe’s largest shopping centres
- Explore The Jewellery Quarter
- Go on a Tolkien walking trail and see the landmarks that inspired the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit books
- Walk alongside the historic city canals
- Lose yourself in Birmingham City Library
- Watch a show/event at the MAC
- Take a trip to the Barber Insitute of Fine Arts
- Take a trip to the Thinktank Science Garden
Birmingham is often overlooked by most tourists visiting the UK, who head straight to London. Yet, the UK’s second-largest city is just 90 minutes away from London on the train. Birmingham is an underrated city, with its own wealth of history, melting pot of cultures, and packed plenty of exciting activities for couples, families, and solo travellers alike.
Here’s 10 Date Ideas For Birmingham Couples:
- Explore Cadbury World – relive your childhood with a trip down memory lane at the Cadbury World chocolate factory, located in the leafy suburb of Bournville.
- Go aqua zorbing on the waterways – why not walk on water with you date? A fun day out that will guarantee laughs.
- Join a Peaky Blinders tour – for fans of the hit TV show, there’s no better choice than the Peaky Tours for a trip through Digbeth’s historic past that reveals the real secrets behind the infamous gang led by Tommy Selby.
- Play a game of mini golf at Cannon Hill Park – Golden Putter Mini Golf is a 36-hole course packed with obstacles and water hazards, which should keep you both on your toes..
- Go on a canal boat ride – with more miles of canals than Venice, this makes for the perfect romantic boat trip.
- Revel in outdoor activities at Ackers – indulge yourselves in anything from skiing and tobogganing to archery and canoeing at Ackers Outdoor Adventure Centre.
- Feed animals at Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park – also situated at Cannon Hill Park, this former Nature Centre is home to an array of animals such as wallabies, red pandas, lynx, goats, and otters.
- Wander on the Tolkien walking trails – Lord Of The Rings and Hobbit fans may be surprised to find that author J.R.R. Tolkien grew up in Birmingham and there are various walking trails around the south of the city which unravel the inspiration of the iconic books.
- Visit the National Sea Life Centre – treat your date to a trip around the UK’s largest aquariums of exotic marine life.
- Bounce around at a trampoline park – Birmingham’s newest indoor trampoline centre in King’s Norton isn’t just for kids to enjoy.
Birmingham is famous for being the ‘first manufacturing town in the world’ and was hailed as the ‘City of a Thousand Trades’ after it achieved city status in 1889. This is due to the vast number of businesses from around the country and abroad, that chose to base themselves in the area, larger due to its vast water network.
Here’s a list of 10 things the historic city of Birmingham is famous for:
- More canals than Venice – this contributed to the city’s rapid growth and status as the first manufacturing town in the world.
- The Industrial Revolution – the groundbreaking modern era began right here in this city.
- Peaky Blinders – the iconic tv show is based in the city of Birmingham.
- Birmingham Bullring – one of the largest indoor shopping malls in Europe.
- Youngest city in Europe – thanks in part due to the city’s five impressive universities.
- Cadbury World – Britain’s favourite chocolate is manufactured here at the historic Bournville site.
- Music – as well as home to famous musicians and artists, the city also has world-class concert halls
- The Custard Factory – home of Birmingham’s Street Art scene, hipster cafes and a modern tech hub.
- Michelin Star dining – the city has the UK’s highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants outside of London
- World’s largest collection of Pre-Raphaelite art can be found in Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
Here’s a list of things you can do in Birmingham that take an hour or less:
- Explore the vibrant street art scene in Digbeth – there’s plenty of rich graffiti art lining the streets and alleys of Digbeth just next to the Custard Factory
- Spend an hour at on of Birmingham’s many free museums and galleries – Ikon Gallery, RBSA Gallery, and Lapworth Museum of Geology
- Stroll through the Birmingham Botanical Gardens
- Take a tour around the Birmingham Museum of Art
- Visit the Symphony Hall – one of the world’s best music venues
- Shop, eat and drink at the Bullring – one of Europe’s largest shopping centres right next to the main train station
- Walk alongside the historic canals in the heart of the city
- Watch a show/event at the MAC
- Take a trip to the Barber Insitute of Fine Arts
- Take a trip to the Thinktank Science Garden
Birmingham Day Trips and Activities on Get Your Guide:
Further Reading: UK Travel
- London Maps: Tourism & Travel Guide for all your free downloadable PDF Maps of London
- Learn how you can Visit Stonehenge for Free
- Here’s the 10 Best Things to See & Do in Bath, England
- And here’s my Traveller’s Guide to British Slang Words
More Posts about: West Midlands
I hope you’ll come and visit my hometown someday!
Book Your Trip to the UK: Budget Tips & Tricks
Flights: As always, I source the cheapest flights on the web from Skyscanner and Kiwi.com. They are considered the top flight search engines for the best deals.
Accommodation: I use Booking for the best hotel deals and HostelWorld for the cheapest stays. If you’re considering Airbnb, be sure to check Vrbo to find cheaper vacation stays.
SIM cards: DrimSim is a universal SIM card that isn’t tied to an operator and works in any country/region.
Travel Insurance: Stay protected from theft, injury, illness, and cancellations. A safety net in case anything goes wrong, I never leave without it. World Nomads is my favourite agent for total peace of mind.
Tours & Excursions: I book all my fave activities and guided tours on Get Your Guide & Viator – they do superb deals whilst offering excellent customer support.
Renting a car? I always use DiscoverCars, make sure you book your car hire in advance. For airport transfers, I use KiwiTaxi for the best deals.
Need to store your luggage in a locker? Use Radical Storage to store your stuff in a locker in any city for just $5 per day.
Head over to my Travel Tools page for all my best travel tips & advice and everything you need for your trip.
