13 Best Things to Do in Birmingham

One of Birmingham’s first modern marvels, the sci-fi-looking Bullring is one of the city’s best places to shop. Check out the gear of some of Britain’s best designers in Selfridges department store, with plenty of other prominent boutiques from the likes of All Saints and Karen Millen to choose from. High street brands include H&M and Foot Locker. 

If you’re out and about in central Birmingham, you’re almost guaranteed to come across the Bullring as it’s walking distance from New Street station and surrounded by several other prominent attractions. Come meal times, you can choose from French bistro snacks to Asian noodles and plenty in between. And if you're looking for the best areas to stay, some of the biggest hotel chains are found near the Bullring Shopping Centre.

Cadbury World, one of the UK’s most loved chocolate brands, is just a few miles out from Birmingham city centre. Take the family-friendly tour to see how chocolate is made, sample some new recipes and enjoy exciting rides and experiences, including a 4D short movie and a mini rollercoaster. It’s all themed around famous Cadbury brands. 

You can no longer take a look at the actual Cadbury production line, but there is a chance to see workers producing handmade chocolate items for the gift shop. Consider the afternoon tea set as a suitably sweet end to the tour, and choose a hotel option that's closeby to Cadbury World, so you don't have far to go after a long day.

The Belfry is where passionate golfers can experience some of the world’s best courses. Situated about a 15-minute drive from the centre of Birmingham, there are 3 professional-level courses to choose from, namely the Brabazon Course, The Derby and the PGA National.

As you might expect from a golf course of this stature, there’s luxury found in every corner of The Belfry. While the courses are its main attractions, there’s also a full spa and impressive dining venues. If you decide to visit with your kids, there’s even a 12-hole miniature golf course to keep them entertained.

For a spot of sightseeing in the swanky surroundings of Colmore Row, you can stop and gaze at St. Philip’s Cathedral. Built in 1715, the baroque stylings are pretty in any season and you can see some beautifully preserved stained-glass windows. 

Surrounding the cathedral, you’ll find excellent shopping options, including a high-end department store, on one side, and a collection of pubs and bars on the other. Mass takes place every Sunday, with free, guided tours and choral performances throughout the week.

This close-knit community of 150 jewellers and craftspeople lets you experience the industrial heritage of Birmingham. It’s said that up to 40% of Britain’s jewellery business is traded through this enclave of manufacturing on the northern edge of the city centre. You can easily walk to the Jewellery Quarter from New Street station in less than 20 minutes or take the train 1 stop to Jewellery Quarter station. 

Interspersed between specialist jewellery shops, you’ll find pubs, museums, art galleries, auctioneers, and other boutiques specialising in everything from wedding arranging to home furnishings. The Jewellery Quarter Festival takes place every July, featuring live music, parades, and lots of shopping opportunities. Book your hotel in advance to stay near the Jewellery Quarter.

Victoria Square is home to many of Birmingham''s most beautiful Victorian buildings and landmarks. The Town Hall and Birmingham Council House are 2 of the best examples of the city’s proud heritage. You’ll find the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery here, which contains several rooms of paintings and sculpture to enjoy for free. 

The Baroque-style Birmingham Council House has an imposing dome and a clocktower, which has for many years been a popular meeting spot. The whole area is pedestrianised, which makes walking around easy. Every winter, Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market is set up in Victoria Square and is extremely popular with shoppers looking for presents, handicrafts, and mulled wine. 

The Black Country Living Museum is a fascinating open-air museum that tells the unique story of Birmingham’s industrial history. Spanning more than 10 hectares, the Black Country Living Museum features reconstructed shops, houses and industrial sites that celebrate steam power and manufacturing in the city’s past. 

During your trip, you can take a ride on heritage vehicles, play historic street games and see live industrial demonstrations like nail making and chain making. You can also see a short film in a 1920s-era cinema, test your knowledge with a 1912 school lesson or have an old-fashioned drink in the Bottle & Glass Inn.

The Library of Birmingham has reimagined the whole concept for the digital age, with surprises in store, inside and out. The building itself is a real head-turner, with a 7th-floor garden and several spacious viewing platforms. Forget what you think you know about libraries.

There’s a full programme of events to attend for free. Watch live theatre in the amphitheatre or explore the permanent exhibition dedicated to William Shakespeare, Britain’s most celebrated playwright. For movie buffs, the entire National Film Archive is available in private booths, courtesy of the British Film Institute. 

It might sound strange, but Birmingham’s most famous culinary creation is the balti. It first started appearing in Birmingham restaurants in the 1970s, in an area referred to as the Balti Triangle. To try for yourself, head to Ladypool Road, just south of the city centre. 

This fiery Pakistani/Indian dish, served in a metal bowl, is now a staple on menus throughout the country. Meat is roasted in a tandoor oven and then added to a rich curry that comes in several levels of spice. Most Balti restaurants don’t serve alcohol, but you are free to bring your own to enjoy with your meal.

Brindley Place is a popular area of Birmingham that's packed with dining and nightlife options and crisscrossed by canals. It’s a surprising fact that Birmingham has more miles of canals than Venice. There has been a real push to regenerate the waterways around the city, and the best place to see this is around Brindley Place. The whole area is alive with trendy bars, restaurants, and attractions. 

Simply stroll along and stop when a bar or restaurant takes your fancy, be it a German beer hall or demure cocktail lounge. A prominent focal point just next to Brindley Place is The Mailbox – the old central post office, which now features high-end restaurants, bars, and BBC television studios. You’ll also find Ikon Gallery, the National Sea Life aquarium and the Arena Birmingham concert hall, as well as plenty of hotel options nearby to Brindleyplace.