Birmingham
Why we love Birmingham
Britain’s second largest city, there’s so much to discover in Birmingham – from cultural festivals to unique street art tours. Find a funky scene at the Custard Factory, home to up-and-coming designers, artists and independent cafes and bars. Or satisfy your fashion fever at the Bullring, Mailbox Malls and the achingly cool Grand Central complex.
From cruising down the city’s forgotten underground canals with an expert guide to checking out the home of the infamous Peaky Blinders, or celebrating the city’s eclectic cuisine with an unforgettable meal on the Balti Triangle, Birmingham is blindingly brilliant!
Peaky Blinders
Step back in time at the Black Country Living Museum to discover the inspiration behind the hit TV series Peaky Blinders. Follow in the footsteps Thomas Shelby as you uncover a world of gangs and crime.
Michelin Dining
Boasting the most Michelin-starred restaurants outside of London, Birmingham brings the foodie game to the West Midlands. From decadent local eats to top-class fine dining, you’ll find the city bursting with places to tuck into delicious delights.
Birmingham Pride
Discover dance tents, fabulous cabaret shows and dramatic drag queen performances at Birmingham Pride. See the city’s streets awash with rainbow flags, celebrating unity, equality and love in the West Midlands.
Retail therapy
Why just shop, when you can enjoy movies, festivals and restaurants too? Maybe you’ll take a drag makeup masterclass, kick back at a luxurious day spa, or check into a swish canal-view hotel. The Mailbox has top designer and high-street brands, shoulder to shoulder.
Flavours to savour
Hot, spicy and utterly moreish, the balti is a dish unique to Birmingham. It was invented in the 1970s by a Pakistani-British chef, who blended the flavours and ingredients of the two nations. In the south of the city, this district is the best place to try it!
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Britain’s second largest city, Birmingham is an industrial hub with a vibrant, creative heart, showcased in its renowned Jewellery Quarter.
Take a walking tour to discover Birmingham’s rich industrial heritage, or follow in the footsteps of the Peaky Blinders at Dudley’s Black Country Living Museum.
Celebrate the city’s diversity at one of its many festivals, including Birmingham Pride, Birmingham Mela and Moseley Folk and Arts Festival.
Get a taste for curry in the Balti Triangle, or sample fine dining at one of five Michelin-starred restaurants – the most of any city outside of London.
Fun fact
Fun fact
Birmingham is the birthplace of heavy metal music, with Black Sabbath front man Ozzy Osbourne a proud brummie.
Did you know?
Did you know?
- Birmingham has more miles of canals than Venice – experience the city’s waterways on a canal tour.
- Birmingham is home Cadbury World, an interactive chocolate experience, and the chocolate-maker provided inspiration for Roald Dahl’s novel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
- One of the UKs greenest cities, Birmingham has around 600 parks and 3,500 hectares (20 square miles) of public open spaces to enjoy.
- Housing over a million books and rare volumes, The Library of Birmingham in Centenary Square is Europe’s largest public library.
- Birmingham Mela is the UKs biggest South Asian music festival, held every August in Victoria Park, Smethwick.
Things to do in Birmingham
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Featured things to do
Sweet sensation
Think of chocolate, and Cadbury’s delicious treats are bound to spring to mind. Cadbury World lifts the curtain on chocolate making as you taste your way through over a century of history.
Go for a paddle
Test your balancing skills with stand-up paddle boarding on the picturesque Edgbaston Reservoir – escape the hustle and bustle of the city and discover the surrounding woodlands and wildlife.
Have a right laugh
Get ready for some big laughs in Birmingham – with 40 shows in different venues around the city and some big comedy names this festival will certainly put a smile on your face.
A Christmas in Birmingham
Marvel at a performance of The Nutcracker from Birmingham’s Royal Ballet, or get a taste of Germany at the annual Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market.
Places to stay in Birmingham
West Side
Here you’ll find streets buzzing with nightclubs, bistros, cocktail bars and Birmingham’s brilliant Gay Village. You’ll also find Chinatown and Cadbury World here. And for those who fancy something more laid-back, there’s The National Sea Life Centre and plenty of parks and woodlands.
Digbeth
From the heart of this industrial centre into what’s transformed into the city’s cultural epicentre for arts and indie sellers. It’s a vibrant and happy place where you’ll find vintage to vegan, music to breweries all around budget-friendly stays.
Jewellery Quarter
A 200-year-old stylish part of the city that’s home to more than 500 jewellery shops, lots of small galleries, bars and swish restaurants. It also houses some decent budget and mid-budget gems - all very close to the city centre.
Explore nearby
Getting to Birmingham
Located just outside of the city, Birmingham International Airport receives flights daily from European and international destinations. Hop on a West Midlands Train direct to the city centre.
With two major stations – Birmingham New Street and Birmingham International – it’s easy to reach the city by train from destinations across Britain. The fast train from London Euston to Birmingham New street takes 1 hour 15 minutes. Chiltern Railways serve Birmingham Moor Street station from London Marylebone.
Getting around
An extensive bus, tram and train network means it’s easy to travel around Birmingham 24/7. If you’re a keen cyclist, there’s many traffic free bicycle routes – Birmingham’s beautiful when explored by bike.
By train
Find the best fares and discounts for train travel around Birmingham and the region at West Midlands Railway.
By bike
Fancy sightseeing as a cyclist? Check out the city’s best cycling routes and all the bike hire options at PushBikes.
By tram
Want to travel by tram or bus? Visit Swift and discover the easiest way to pay as you go for single, return and day travel tickets.
Want to know more?
Want to know more?
Planning a business event in Birmingham?
Planning a business event in Birmingham?
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