Top 10 Things To Do in Birmingham

If you need that one place where you can just chill out the places the city has to offer, then you must certainly hit up Birmingham. Although it is best known for its bustling businesses, extensive industrial background and hard working ethics, Birmingham is still full of arts, music, culture and entertainment, proportionally balancing the two sides of the coin, making it the perfect vacation of exploring a new place without having to travel for hours and days on end. 

Although Birmingham does not get as much as the attention that the capital city London gets, it does hld the status as one of the United Kingdom’s must-see destinations which cannot be denied. Plenty of hotspots ranging from awestrucking museums to world-class shopping stores to gorgeous sceneries, the second biggest city in the UK is a trip you most definitely will not regret taking. The following are top 10 things to do in Birmingham that will indefinitely persuade you to pay the city a visit.

 

1. Visit Cadbury World to indulge your sweet tooth

Birmingham houses one of the most reputable and famous chocolate museum- and no, not WillyWonka’s-, the Cadbury World museum. With plenty of exhibits on the company’s upbringings and past, this is easily any chocoholic’s heaven as it displays its fascinating manufacturing process and it even give visitors the opportunity to shop at the largest Cadbury’s shop on Earth. And don’t forget, you will even get free chocolate as paid by the entry fee. Well, what are you waiting for? Pack your suitcases and duffle bags and do not forget to bring extra bags to stuff them with those oh-so-yummy Cadbury chocolate. 

 

2. Shop until you drop at the Bullring Shopping Centre

If you are looking for a monument that represents both of Birmingham’s history and future, then the Bullring shopping centre is the perfect representation. The name may have come from its origins as a cattle market way back in the 12th Century. However, it does look like a glimmering, futuristic shopping centre since it was updated from the Brutalist structure it was on top of in its opening in the 1960s. With shop names such as Selfridges and Forever 21, it is easily one of the busiest shopping centres in Britain and a thriving hub at Birmingham. It even includes popular attractions such as Spiceal Street, a monument that pays tribute to Birmingham’s culinary cosmopolitanism.

 

3. Observe and experience the thriving aquatic life at the Enormous National Sea Life Centre

Located at The Waters Edge, 3 Brindleyplace, Birmingham’s National Sea Life Centre is the largest aquatic life display in all of Britain. It is home to more than 600 exhibits and over 2,000 creatures. When you visit, everyone will have their own favourite exhibit, although the baby penguins are undoubtedly the most popular one among kids. Admission can be booked online. This will get you to experience a long underwater tunnel that offers an unparalleled perspective of the numerous sharks and marine life attractions in the centre.

 

4. Tour the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery to avoid the crowds

If noisy and busy attractions are your thing, Birmingham has plenty of those places just for you. Although, if you want something quieter and more relaxing, then the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is a trip worth making. This museum is home to the iconic Staffordshire Hoard, the largest single find of Anglo-Saxon gold which is said to be worth more than 3 million Great Britain Pounds. Alongside this hoard, you will also find collections that hold international importance, such as pre-Raphaelite art and plenty more. The best part is that the entry is free! However, there are some specific exhibitions that may charge a fee. 

 

5. Learn about modern history at the Birmingham Back to Backs

The rapid industrial expansion of Britain in the 19th Century brought with it a wave of urbanisation, which required the speedy building of high-volume accommodation. The result was these houses, built “back to back” with shared courtyards to house workers in the newly-built factories. The housing stood until the 1960s when it was declared unfit for human habitation. All but these few houses at Inge Street were demolished for public safety. These stand as a monument to the time and are worth a visit.

Address: 50-54 Inge St, Birmingham B5 4TE

 

6. Check out the Golden Age of the Silver Screen at the Historic Electric Cinema

Britain’s oldest working cinema is the historic Electric at Station Street in Birmingham. It opened back in 1909 and although closed due to dereliction for a period between 2003 and 2004, it has been open most of the time, showing new releases and arthouse classics for more than an entire century at that.

 

7. Discover a gem of an experience at the sparkly Museum of the Jewellery Quarter

The Smith and Pepper jewellery factory in Birmingham closed in 1981. On its final day as it neared its closing time, the owners simply locked the doors and left it as it was. And almost 40 year later, had become one of Birmingham’s most unique attractions as it continues to be left untouched. As glorious as the day it was left, this jewellery factory is considered to be the third-best free tourist attraction in all of Europe. Unless you don’t like free things and you aren’t curious, this place is a must-see for all. 

 

8. Take a look at the National Motorcycle Museum

Britain has a proud history of building motorcycles. To add to that, Birmingham houses the world’s largest collection of British bikes inside the National Motorcycle Museum. For you to count off just how many are there, see the National Motorcycle Museum yourself at Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull B92 0EJ. 

 

9. Explore Space at the Thinktank of Birmingham Science Museum

The Science Museum is in the Digbeth area of the city, specifically at Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG. It is said to be a great experience for all children since there is a lot to learn from here. This includes some supreme exhibits on the solar system and the Spitfire Exhibition on Level 1.

 

10. Enjoy some peaceful moments at beautiful Birmingham Botanical Gardens

After all that amazement and walking around, I’m sure the Birmingham’s Botanical Gardens is the next destination. It is the perfect place to spend a calm afternoon or to end the day with. Covering over 15 acres of gorgeous land, it contains four separate glasshouses which are home to exhibits of tropical, subtropical and arid flora. The gardens even house rare plants and trees. So hurry and make your way to Westbourne Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham to see the splendors and beauty of nature.

 

Top 10 Fun Facts About Birmingham

Birmingham was known as the “workshop of the world” during the Victorian period. However, it has more recently turned into a hotspot for all those who want a quick but soothing short-break amongst their many thrill-seeking travels. Britain’s second largest city turned from industrial to a chill vacation spot. 

 

At Birmingham you will discover a vibrant city packed with culture, shopping, dining, architecture and history. Here are some interesting facts that will make your Birmingham visit a little more intriguing. 

 

1. Tidbits of the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit came from Birmingham

It is a little-known fact that J. R. Tolkien actually grew up in and around Birmingham eversince the young age of four. In fact, it was the city landscape and surrounding countryside that provided some of the inspiration for his sagas such as ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit’.

Also, ‘The Shire’, which is the home to the Hobbits, was inspired by the fields and mill of a village now absorbed into Birmingham’s suburbs- Sarehole.

The Perrott’s Folly and the Waterworks Tower in Edgbaston are still clearly visible today, along with the University of Birmingham’s illuminated clock tower. All of these inspiration’s can be seen in The Lord of the Rings. Go on ahead and see these inspirations in person. 

 

2. More space than the iconic Paris?

Another surprising fact is how green Birmingham is despite its size and type of city. Birmingham is one of the UK’s greenest cities containing more than 600 parks that covers 8,000 acres worth of land. It even has more open space than Paris.

 

One of the largest urban parks in Europe is Sutton Park, which is a National Nature Reserve. At the reserve, visitors can enjoy heathland, marshes, woodland and lakes along with fun and engaging outdoor activities such as fishing, cycling, bird-watching and golf. So, if you are into getting fresh air and being with nature, the enormous National Nature Reserve is the place to be. 

 

3. Shopping centre open since the 12th century

The futuristic masterpiece of the Birmingham Bullring was unveiled in 1999. It is one of the largest shopping centres in all of Europe and is the third most popular place to shop in the entirety of the United Kingdom.

 

The shopping centre has housed both indoor and outdoor markets ever since the 12th century. When the present building was being built, many surprising and interesting archaeological discoveries surfaced. Some of these can be viewed in the enchanting Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, located at Chamberlain Square at the center of Birmingham.

 

4. Birmingham- a culinary delight

For lovers of gastronomy, you will be delighted to know about Birmingham’s numerous, surprising and interesting foodie facts. Just like London, Birmingham is home to more Michelin-starred restaurants than anywhere else in the United Kingdom.

 

The city is packed with over 100 Balti houses, many of them are found inside the city’s ‘Balti Triangle’. Even some famous household culinary names like Cadbury, Bourneville, HP, Typhoo and Bird’s all started in Birmingham.

 

5. Man richer than Bill Gates lived in Birmingham

If you thought Bill Gates was rich, then you will be impressed by  Birmingham’s industrialist Matthew Boulton.

 

At his pioneering peak, his personal fortune was equivalent to twice that of Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft. In the late 18th-century, he was a resident at the elegant Soho House where he usually hosted his meetings of the Lunar Society.

 

6. Birmingham actually has more canals than Venice, Italy

Birmingham actually has more canals than the great city of Venice. Its canals stretch up to nearly 35 miles. To explore them, you can pick up a boat from the romantically named Gas Street Basin and take an entire city tour. Cruising the canals is one way to soothe the stresses of daily life by giving you a different yet calming perspective on Birmingham. You can enjoy and admire views of both historic and modern structures and establishments all throughout the tour. 

 

7. English stained glass is the tradition of Birmingham

Although many tourists and visitors go into the Birmingham Cathedral, most of them do not realise that its stained glass windows were actually designed by a prominent member of the 19th-century Pre-Raphaelite- Edward Burne-Jones.

 

Burne-Jones was the one who revitalised the tradition of English stained glass. In fact, a blue plaque commemorates his Birmingham birthplace at Bennetts Hill. You can also see and awe at the world’s largest collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings in the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.

 

8. Narrow boats in the canals

Since Birmingham is basically at the center of the country, it is within 4 hours of around 90% of the rest of the United Kingdom. That means that paying a visit to surrounding cities and areas just could not get any easier. Birmingham Airport usually has a full schedule of flights because the city is a major rail hub. While the M42, M6 and M5 all provide fast road links in all directions. However, some visitors and tourists choose to take the scenic route in order to arrive leisurely by narrow boat. These boats go through the Worcester & Birmingham and Grand Union canals that go up in the city centre.

 

9. The home of heavy metal

If you are into heavy metal, then you will be happy to hear that Birmingham has a connection to this genre.

 

Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and Judas Priest have all played their first gigs in the great Birmingham. But this city still tries to house a vibrant metal scene which is usually played out in venues such as the Tunnel Club and Scruffy Murphy’s.

 

10. The busiest theatre in Britain

The Birmingham Hippodrome usually puts on an all-year-round extravaganza of pantomime, dance, theatre and musicals, staging many big West End shows as they go on tour. It has a modern exterior yet a contrasting neo-classical auditorium inside. It has a seating capacity of nearly 2,000 and almost 6,000 ticket sales a year. Hence, claiming the title of Britain’s busiest theatre.