Things to Do in Birmingham
Activities To Do In Birmingham
People visiting the amazing city of Birmingham can choose among exciting things to do in Birmingham, filled with history and culture. The place has beautifully re-established Victorian statues & buildings, swanky areas for shopping, insightful galleries & museums, open parks & spaces, landmarks, and picturesque canals. The central part of the tourist itinerary is sightseeing, which is known to be among the best things to do in Birmingham. The city is known to be unique & diverse due to its vast cultural attraction range. To understand more about this statement, you should visit the places such as Birmingham repertory theatre, the largest theatre in Europe & National Sea Life Centre located in the centre of the city.Another highlight of Birmingham's things to do is that it serves the West Midlands region, the primary driver of the economy & as a higher education centre. It involves engineering, biotechnology, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and automotive. Birmingham, 4th on the list of highly visited cities in the UK by foreigners, is well connected through international & foreign flights. The best months to visit this place are from April to October because of the warm weather.
Symphony Hall is one of the biggest concert halls in Birmingham that can seat at least 2,262 people. The Queen of England, officially inaugurated the place in 1991and from that time this place has been one of the major places to visit in Birmingham. The place hosts around 300 events annually and is also known for its eye-catching interiors.
The National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham, is in Bickenhill. You will be amazed to know that the museum has the largest collection of British Motorcycles in the world. There are over 1,000 different types of bikes, as exhibits in the museum. Apart from covering the history of motorcycle manufacturing, the place also has conference facilities.
The National Sea Life Centre, is one of the UK’s only 360-degree Ocean Tunnels, per se. You can meet many marine creatures upfront and personal, at the facility. You can call it one of the best tourist places in Birmingham for kids. There are penguins, jelly fishes, and sea otters waiting to meet you there.
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Now, you can choose from amongst a variety of escape room themes at Escape Games in Birmingham. The place is packed with a lot of adventure, so if you are looking for some adrenaline rush, you have got to visit Escape Games. You can play with your own people, and also with other teams. Find clues, solve puzzles, and win missions at one of the best Birmingham tourist places.
The Winterbourne House and Garden is a beautifully restored Edwardian house with an attached botanic garden located in Birmingham. It is a few minutes away from the city centre. You can find at least 6,000 plant species from across the world there. The park has been divided into various microclimatic segments, emulating specific geographical zones.
The Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is one of the most popular museums and art galleries in Birmingham. You will find one of the largest collections of fine artworks, metal artworks, ceramics, and archaeology, over there. Some of the exhibitions at the museum are free, while some are chargeable. Additionally, you can also attend pop-ups at the place and buy gifts for your loved ones back home.
The Birmingham Hippodrome is a large theatre in Birmingham, which opened way back in 1899. The large-scale theatre has been going strong, since the last 115 years. The place has at least 1,900 seats, and also plays host to western music, dance, and opera. It is one of the most popular tourist places in Birmingham, today. Moreover, the theatre gets a regular attendance of 600,000 members.
If you are looking for a walk in the beautiful greenery of the city, then you must head to Sheldon Country Park. It is 300 acres of open grassland where you will also find hedge lands, woodlands, and wetlands. There is a small dairy farm as well, near the entrance.
Aston Hall happens to be one of the most iconic buildings in Birmingham and also one of the last Jacobean Houses, to be built there in English territory. The place consists of a beautiful house nestled within the estate. There are quite a few displays inside, through which you can go back to the lives of the dwellers. The displays also include personal furniture or usable goods. It is significant as the site of bombardment in the Civil wars. After a year of closure due to maintenance, the place is open to the public again.
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Cadbury World is a big visitor’s attraction in Birmingham. You can avail yourself of a self-guided exhibition tour that is run by Cadbury World, itself. On this tour, you will be able to learn about the origins of cocoa, the process of manufacturing chocolate, and more. You can also taste the delicious chocolates made by Cadbury.
The Great Western Arcade is located in the heart of the city, Birmingham. There are many retail shops in the arcade where you can shop. There are two entrances to the place, one on Temple Row and the other on Colmore Row. You can shop for boutique items like jewellery, gifts, and accessories, to name a few.
The Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham, is one of the top spots for jewellery retailers. There are around 700 jewellers who have set shop there. Apart from the jewellery stores, you will also find numerous restaurants, pubs, and cafes in the area. It is truly one of the most popular tourist places in Birmingham.
The Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park is also known as the Birmingham Nature Centre and is known for showcasing the animals and finding that the zoo also has a captive breeding program and conservation projects running at all times. It was opened on the site of a mill, called Pebble Mill, on 1 May 1964.
The Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Glasshouses offer some attractions for all age groups. Apart from the gardens, the place consists of some of the most stunning glass houses in the UK. The glass houses have different microclimates such as Japanese Gardens, Arid Gardens and Tropical forests, to name a few.
The Gas Street Basin is in the heart of Birmingham’s Canal network. There are several streets lining the canal network where you will find the finest bars, pubs, and cafes. Apart from such places, you will also find many modern buildings there. The presence of such an extensive range of canals draws comparisons with Venice and plays a huge role in the industrial revolution of Britain. Furthermore, it forms a pathway for trade and commerce.
Baddesley Clinton is one of the best architectural manor houses, with a moat. Moreover, it is nestled amidst lovely gardens and also a few Victorian gardens. You can call it one of the popular Birmingham tourist places. It is a late mediaeval manor house whose Elizabethan windows are visible from a long distance. The manor house was home to the Ferrers family for over 500 years. Henry Ferrers had built the maximum part of the house. It was built sometime in the 15th /16th century.
Philip’s Cathedral is listed amongst the top Birmingham places to visit. St. Philip’s Cathedral is a church of England. With the Bishop of Birmingham having his seat there. The cathedral is located on Colmore Row and is famous as the third-smallest cathedral in the city.
Cannon Hill Park is an 80-acre park, which is located in Birmingham. The 80-acres comprises parklands with another 120-acres of woodlands, attached to the area. The park is also home to the Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Centre and Mac Theatre. Mr T J Gibson designed the park. The park was thrown open to the public in 1873.
The Castle Bromwich Historic Gardens is located on Chester Road, in the West Midlands. It is one of the most popular ancient 18th century gardens in Birmingham. It is located on the periphery of the city, and is a Grade II structure. The walled garden will effortlessly transport you to the Dutch and French era.
Shakespeare Birthplace Trust is an independent charity institution that traces the birth of the renowned writer and poet. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust is located in Stratford-upon-Avon. It was established in 1847, to preserve all the records related to Shakespeare’s works and you can also consider it as his national memorial. The institution is totally reliant on the public for support.
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Which are the best things to do in Birmingham?
1. See the inspiration for ‘The Lord of the Rings’ at Moseley Bog: One of the must do things in Birmingham is visiting the Moseley Bog, a place which inspired The Lord of the Rings. This local nature reserve is located on the outer fringes of Birmingham, on the site of an old millpond, and is home to a wide array of plants, animals, as well as insect species.
Don’t forget to book a JRR Tolkien-themed tour at the Sarehole Mill here. The author of The Lord of the Rings is said to have grown up around Moseley Bog in the 1890s, and had taken Safehold inspiration for Hobbits Shire from this reserve.
Location: Yardley Wood Road, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 9JX, United Kingdom
2. Visit Symphony Hall: When thinking of what to do in Birmingham, pay a visit to Symphony Hall, an opulent concert hall which is also the home of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. This majestic venue first opened its doors in the year 1991, and has since been the host of hundreds of concerts, music shows and other programmes. It is also considered to have the 7th best concert hall acoustics in the whole world. Among its main attractions includes the festive programmes in December, especially during Christmas, when the hall gets illuminated by candlelight while visitors sing carols here.
Location: Broad Street, Birmingham, B1 2EA, United Kingdom
3. Explore National Motorcycle Museum: Another one of the top Things to do in Birmingham is to explore the famous National Motorcycle Museum, which houses the largest collection of British motorcycles in the entire world. This Bickenhill museum is a haven for all motorcycle lovers, since it boasts of having more than 1000 different types of this vehicle on display, some of which date back to as early as the 1800s.The museum is also the home of the world-famous 1898 Beeston Humber Tricycle, in addition to other modern superbikes.
Location: Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull B92 0EJ, United Kingdom
Click Here To Book: National Motorcycle Museum Tickets
4. Take a visit to National Sea Life Centre: One of the must do things in Birmingham is to pay a visit to the National Sea Life Centre, and get a chance to see many different exhibits of marine animals. Home to more than 60 different marine life exhibits, the National Sea Life Centre also boasts of having over 2000 animals from across the world, from corals and penguins, to giant sea turtles, fish species and more.
Best Offers Only On: National SEA LIFE Centre Tickets
Location: 3 Brindley Place, The Water’s Edge, Birmingham B1 2HL, United Kingdom
5. See tropical plants, birds and butterflies at the Botanical Gardens: Of all the Things to do in Birmingham, visiting the Botanical Gardens to see tropical plants, birds and butterflies should also be on your list. Dating back to the 19th century, the garden sprawls across 15 acres, and boasts of a beautiful collection of bonsai trees.
It is also the abode of many tropical as well as migratory birds which you can catch sights of. In addition to more than 7000 types of plants, flowering plants and trees in the garden, you can also see various butterfly species here, from places like the Philippines, Central America as well as tropical parts of Africa.
Location: Westbourne Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 3TR, United Kingdom
6. Eat at Raja Monkey: One of the best Things to do in Birmingham is to head to the famous Raja Monkey restaurant for a meal. Considered to be one of the best Indian restaurants in the city, specialising in South Indian cuisine, and exuding a canteen-like vibe, Raja Monkey also offers you a typical Indian curry house experience.
From thalis and street food specialities like dosa, uttapam, and pav bhaji, to their signature dishes like Bengali roast, oxtail laal maans, Keralan seafood broth and beef biryani, the food here is sure to make your tastebuds dance.
Location: 1355 Stratford Road, Hall Green, Opp. Waitrose, Birmingham B28 9HW, United Kingdom
What are the most romantic things to do in Birmingham for couples?
1. See the makings of Harry Potter at Warner Bros Studio: One of the must do things in Birmingham for couples is to visit the Warner Bros Studio and retrace the footsteps of Harry Potter. It is here where you and your partner can discover Harry’s world of magic, as you board the Hogwarts Express, stroll down Diagon Alley, or take a look into the Cupboard under the Stairs. You can also visit the film sets and see the actual costumes and props that were used in the films.
2. Indulge in a romantic boat ride in the canal: When in Birmingham, hop onto a narrowboat and enjoy a romantic ride in the canal. The city has many canals, from where you can enjoy gorgeous sunsets and panoramic sceneries as you cruise along the calm waters with your significant other.
3. Unwind at the Winterbourne House & Garden: For a more romantic experience, you can visit the unique Winterbourne House and Garden, which dates back to the Edwardian eras, and soak in verdant views of beautiful antiques and more than 6000 plant and flower species. You can also unwind here by walking through the woodland walk, the hazelnut tunnel or the 1930’s Japanese bridge.
4. Take a stroll in Sutton Park: Taking a romantic stroll in the quaint English countryside is a dream, and there is no better place than Sutton Park in Birmingham to make those dreams come true. Amongst the largest urban parks in Europe, Sutton Park boasts of ancient woodlands, heathlands, wetlands as well as marshes, in addition to many different species of flora and fauna, lakes, play areas and more.
Which are the best adventure activities to do in Birmingham?
1. Hiking: When thinking of what to do in Birmingham, add a hiking adventure to your itinerary. Home to many forested regions, parks as well as rolling hills, Birmingham boasts of several nature, biking as well as flat walking trails where you can take a hike.
2. Ziplining: The forests and natural reserves in Birmingham are known for their rich and vast canopy, and serve as some of the perfect spots to try a ziplining adventure. Out of all the spots in the city, the Beanstalk Forest in the Red Mountain Park is one of the best to go ziplining over the lush green forest canopy.
3. Camping: Camping is amongst the best adventure things to do in Birmingham, since the city has many available campsites. Surrounded by canals, nature trails, gardens and more, a camping experience in Birmingham also gives you an opportunity to enjoy nature at its best, while catching sights of the starry night sky.
4. Kayaking: Boasting of more canals than Venice, Birmingham is a perfect place to enjoy kayaking in the calm waters. From cruising past famous landmarks and gardens, to catching sights of museums, galleries, restaurants and more, a kayak tour in Birmingham is a must.
Read More: Things To Do In Birmingham With Kids
What are the best things to do in Birmingham with family?
2. Try the VR in 4D: The tourists can now indulge in some unique activities at the street of digbeths floodgate in Birmingham, where they can be amazed at a combination of VR, films, and theatre. The visitors will be experiencing multisensory VR & AR technology, and each session will last approximately 60 minutes.
3. Moseley Bog: The tourists will get a dreamy experience at "The Moseley Bog." This place is inspired by "Lord of the Rings" novel, which was about Sir William's poetry. Likewise, tourists can go through nature, exploring plants, insects, animals, bluebells, and old trees around the captivating archaeological greenhouse.
4. The running tour: This is another exciting activity that must get included in things to do in Birmingham. The 5-kilometre tour on the street has the most appealing city sights along with the beautiful and pretty small houses in town.
5. Visit the homegrown Music Talent at Birmingham: The harvest season, also known as the music festival of Birmingham, brings life to the city's beauty. The visitors will be enjoying the rising talent of the region on two stages, along with a mix of diverse genres & styles in the overall festival. The audience will be experiencing all kinds of sensibilities & sounds, which turns out to be the most relaxing & fantastic Birmingham things to do.
Suggested Read: Things To Do In Birmingham City Centre
What are the best things to do in Birmingham at Night?
1. Go on a Peaky Blinders Tour: One of the best Things to do in Birmingham at night is to go on a Peaky Blinders Tour. If you are fan of the show, you can enjoy exploring the back streets of Digbeth and get a chance to experience life in Victorian eras on this tour, in addition to enjoying a traditional Victorian dinner at The Old Crown, which is the oldest pub in Birmingham.
2. Party the night away at Arcadian: Another one of the top Things to do in Birmingham at night is to head over to Arcadian, and spend the night partying away. This courtyard is one of the trendiest places in the city, and has numerous cocktail bars, pubs, restaurants and food stalls, among other things, where you can indulge in good food and music, dance to trippy tracks and simply enjoy the vibrant nightlife.
3. Indulge in delicious food at the Digbeth Dining Club: When in Birmingham, go to the Digbeth Dining Club at night, which is one of the biggest and best street food markets in the entire country. Indulge in a variety of food and drinks from the best food vendors in the region, including Low n Slow, Fat Snags, Bournville Waffle Co. and more.
4. Enjoy gaming at Lane7: Located in The Cube, Lane7 is a popular bowling alley and late-night alternative venue where you can enjoy private karaoke, games like ping pong, beer pong, arcade favourites like Pac Man as well as bowling.
Recommended Read: Things To Do In Birmingham This Weekend
Which are the best places for shopping in Birmingham?
2. The Bullring:
3. Grand Central:
4. Great Western Arcade:
5. Birmingham Christmas Market:
Is Birmingham worth visiting?
How many days do you need in Birmingham?
Check This Out: Things To Do In Birmingham For Couples
How can I spend a day in Birmingham?
1. Visiting Victoria Square it's the most popular picnic destination.
2. Exploring Art Gallery & Museum as it relives the history of Birmingham at the Black Country Living Museum.
3. Visiting Birmingham Library, which is the scenic beauty from the terrace & more than 400,000 books.
4. For the shoppers, Bullring is the right pick.
5. Seeing Sundowners at Coolest Bars of Birmingham
6. Exploring Jewellery Quarter
7. Enjoying Peaky Blinders Tour
8. Experiencing Birmingham Cathedral
9. The Birmingham thing to do has the most iconic & beautiful cathedrals & churches like Birmingham Cathedral – St Philips, St Mary's RC Church, and St Chad's Cathedral.
What is the best time to visit Birmingham?
What is Birmingham famous for?
What is Birmingham famous for?
Also Read: Things To Do In London
