BIRMINGHAM, UK: ONE DAY ITINERARY & THINGS TO DO

WHY VISIT BIRMINGHAM, UK

I’ve visited Birmingham from London more than seven times already and lived there for a couple of weeks while I was renovating my Airbnb. When I asked in my Instagram stories I realised no one really visits Birmingham, but it’s quite an interesting city! Some of the things that make it special are that it’s actually the second largest city in the UK and also the youngest city with over 40% of the population being under 25 (fun! right?).

Also, Birmingham is home to more canal waterways than Venice and is home to the Bullring Shopping Centre which is one of the biggest shopping centres in Europe. If you ask me personally, I really like the industrial vibe of Birmingham, the mix of old and new architecture and the artsy vibe the neighbourhood of Digbeth breathes. On top of that, Birmingham boasts of fine arts, fine dining and greenery. It is the home for some of the most ground breaking music in the world (metal was born here!), Cadbury’s chocolate factory and the Peaky Blinders!

VISITING BIRMINGHAM: THE ESSENTIALS

Transport / Birmingham is a very walkable city, there’s great transport links to it and a great bus system in the city. Many still choose to drive there using a rental car as some attractions are a bit spready out. Book your rental using DiscoverCars, the website I recommend for all car hires. If you are not renting a car, should you require an airport transfer from Birmingham airport, I always use WelcomePickups.

Tours / Here’s Birmingham’s most popular tours:
Birmingham: Slogging Gangs Guided Walking Tour
Stonehenge & Bath Day Tour
Birmingham Guided City Center Walking Tour
Cotswolds Full-Day Tour
Victorian Canals and Modern-Day Birmingham Tour
Digbeth, Public art and Peaky Film Guided Walking Tour

Stay / We own a lovely Airbnb in possibly the best location you can be in, should you prefer a hotel, these are the best in the city:

The Grand Hotel Birmingham $$$
Malmaison Birmingham $$$
Hotel du Vin & Bistro Birmingham $$
Staybridge Suites Birmingham $$
Hampton by Hilton Birmingham Broad Street $$
EasyHotel Birmingham $

Eat / My top recommendations for each meal:
Brunch/Breakfast: Medicine Bakery
Dinner & Beer: Indian Brewery


Connect / You’ll need mobile data while you are in Birmingham, I always recommend using an eSIM (there’s absolutely no need for a physical one!) – here’s some eSIM options for UK.

Get Insured / Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

BIRMINGHAM BUCKET LIST: THINGS TO DO IN BIRMINGHAM UK

Take a walking tour

Find out how Birmingham grew from a small market town to the second largest city in the country on this guided walking tour of the city center. Gain authentic insights into modern life in the city and explore some hidden gems along the way. Book it here, or below:

Explore the Bullring

Birmingham has been a marketplace since the 12th century, and this legacy has ownly grown with the years. The Bullring is the shopping area around the Grand Central station, and it includes various department stores as well as shopping arcades. The most iconic building featured is the Selfridges, which looks like a spaceship, but my favourite one is the Western Arcade for its splendid architecture and its independent stores. If you are looking for something fancy visit The Mailbox, a shopping centre for luxury brands.

Take a selfie with The Bull

The Bull is a 6 tonne sculpture by artist Laurence Broderick which symbolises the importance of the Bullring for Birmingham. Located in Rotunda Square, it’s undoubtedly the most photographed spot in the city. If you want to prove you’ve been in Birmingham you need a photo with it!

Explore the canal quarter and Brindleyplace

Birmingham’s vibrant canal quarter houses the city’s best bars, restaurants, and views and just makes for a lovely stroll! Within the canal quarter you’ll find the National Sealife Centre, the IKON Gallery, as well as Brindleyplace a beautiful square with restaurants, bars, shops and cafes.

Admire Victoria Square and discover the treasures of Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery

Victoria Square is best described as the Trafalgar Square of Birmingham. At its edge you’ll find the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, home to the largest collection of pre-Raphaelite paintings in the world and occupying one of the city’s finest buildings. A must visit for art fans.

Look up at the frescoes of Picadilly Arcade

Located opposite New Street Station, this picturesque arcade offers beautiful architecture and an eclectic mix of independent stores. But what called my attention is its handpainted ceilings which are rather unusual. Don’t take my word for it, see it for yourself!

See Tolkien’s inspiration for ‘The Lord of the Rings’: the Moseley Boga

The Moseley Boga is a green idyl on the fringes of the city on the site of an old millpond. JRR Tolkien, ‘The Lord of the Rings’ author grew up around Moseley Boga in the 1890s, and it’s said to be the inspiration for hobbit-hangout The Shire. Down the road in Edgbaston, a Victorian waterworks is said to have formed the basis for the evil Sauron’s towering lair. Wander around this nature reserve full of plants, animals and insects, gnarled old trees and gorgeous carpets of bluebells each spring. The site also has great archeological interest, having two burnt mounds, the remains such of an old mill dam and the foundations of Victorian greenhouses.

Admire the street art in Digbeth, Birmingham’s hip neighbourhood

Recently named the Coolest Neighbourhood in Britain by the Sunday Times, Digbeth less than ten minutes walk from Bullring & Grand Central. Head to the Custard Factory to hit one of its cafes, independent shops, cinemas and arts venues, and the district’s weekly food and drink festival, Digbeth Dining Club. Digbeth is also Birmingham’s street art hotspot which makes a walk around it double fun!

Eat & drink from one of Birmingham’s craft breweries

If you follow me, you know I’m a craft beer fan! My proud discovery is Indian Brewery in Snowhill a craft brewery that created the Birmingham Lager. But the brewery is not the only thing good about this place, the food

Visit Birmingham’s oldest pub, The Old Crown

The Old Crown is Birmingham’s oldest secular building and has existed since 1368. Having stood the test of time during the English civil war the pub & events garden now stands proud in the heart of Digbeth, Birmingham’s thriving creative quarter. Fun fact: it has the coolest, most original bar snacks!

Feel like Charlie at the Chocolate Factory in Cadbury World

A chocolate-focused attraction? I’m in! Only 13 minutes by train from New Street will take you to the red-brick, old-world Bournville village which was built for the workers of what was the centre of England’s chocolate empire, Cadbury. There are tours available and you can have your Willy Wonka experience in the demonstration area (molten chocolate is involved; and you get to eat it). But that’s not all, the world’s biggest Cadbury store also awaits, boasting concoctions unavailable anywhere else. Get your ticket here.

Follow the footsteps of Birmingham’s meanest gang on the Peaky Blinders tour

Learn about the real Peaky Blinders in this tour, where you’ll get to stalk the very same streets the gang frequented.

Visit a music album cover fine art gallery

St Pauls Gallery is the World’s leading retailer in signed limited edition album cover fine art. With well over 100 signed prints on permanent show and sale, the gallery is a place not to be missed if music is your passion. Also on show are exclusive collections of signed limited edition musician portrait photographs and fine art prints. The gallery is pretty mad, specially if you are into 60s or 70s rock, with prints signed by Pink Floyd, Deep Purple and many others being sold here.

Sip a clandestine cocktail in the city’s speakeasies

Some of Birmingham’s best bars are hidden behind unassuming storefronts and doorways which makes it all the more exciting to have a cocktail in one. Channeling that 1920s American prohibition spirit is the super-cool 18/81 (somewhere on Thorp Street, just ring the bell) and 40 St Pauls (there’s no sign, look for the door with number 40 off St Paul’s Square).

Have a curry!

Birmingham is the original home of the Balti. The Birmingham Balti originated in the city during the late 70s, when curry chefs started to make their dishes lighter, healthier and served faster to suit Western tastes. There’s even an area called the Balti Triangle, just to the south of the city centre along Ladypool Road, Stoney Lane and Stratford Road, which was named for the number of eateries serving up curries using the balti method. Try Opheem, Lasan, Raja Monkey, Asha’s, Itihaas, Tamatanga or Rajdoot and you won’t be disappointed.

Visit Winterbourne House and Garden

Step back in time with a visit to the Winterbourne House and Garden, a beautifully preserved Edwardian gem located just a short distance from Birmingham city centre. Built in 1903, the house offers a glimpse into early 20th-century middle-class life, with many rooms restored to their original charm. Surrounding the house are seven acres of exquisite botanical gardens, featuring over 6,000 plant species from around the globe, as well as a picturesque walled garden and a tranquil Japanese bridge. It’s a peaceful escape from the city and a must-visit for history and nature lovers alike.

Take a Day Trip to the Cotswolds

While Birmingham is a vibrant urban hub, the idyllic Cotswolds are just a short drive away and make for an excellent day trip. Known for their rolling hills, picturesque villages, and honey-coloured stone cottages, the Cotswolds offer a quintessential English countryside experience. Explore charming villages like Broadway or Stow-on-the-Wold, and soak in the tranquillity of this scenic region. Or take an organised tour here.

Go to a Candlelight concert

Experience the magic of live music illuminated by candlelight at a Candlelight Concert in Birmingham. These intimate performances feature talented musicians playing a variety of genres, from classical to contemporary, all under the soft glow of hundreds of candles. Whether you’re enjoying a string quartet or a piano solo, the enchanting atmosphere provides a unique way to enjoy incredible music in a stunning setting. Book here for an unforgettable evening.

Go to an immersive experience

The best immersive experiences take place in London, but Birmingham being such a big city often gets some! Check which one is available here.

BIRMINGHAM BUCKET LIST: ONE DAY ITINERARY

If you only have one day, my suggestion is to start at The Bullring, stroll around making sure to visit both arcades (Picadilly & Western Arcade), then walk through the canal quarter and drop in St Paul’s Gallery, then have a curry for lunch, then head to Digbeth for another stroll some drinks and food in the evening at Digbeth Dining Club and make sure to pop by The Old Crown. All these activities are described above.

If you make a weekend of it (which I recommend) use the second day to visit the Moseley Boga, Cadbury World and the Peaky Blinder’s tour.

WHERE TO STAY IN BIRMINGHAM, UK

Make a weekend of it! Why not get to Birmingham on a Friday and stay over Saturday to have two full days of exploring? If you do, then stay at my serviced apartment which is awesome and has the best location. I personally refurbished it so make me proud and book it, and if you have any feedback on the decorations or finish send them my way. It’s literally 1 minute fron Birmingham’s Central Station so perfect for exploring and then hopping on the train wasting zero time.

Is it booked? Then these are my recommendations based on your budget:

• The Grand Hotel Birmingham $$$: A beautifully restored historic hotel offering luxurious rooms, elegant interiors, and excellent dining options in the heart of the city center.
• Malmaison Birmingham $$$: A stylish boutique hotel located in the Mailbox district, featuring chic rooms, a trendy bar, and a relaxing spa. Ideal for a modern, upscale experience.
• Hotel du Vin & Bistro Birmingham $$: A charming and characterful hotel housed in a historic building. Known for its cozy rooms, exceptional dining, and central location.
• Staybridge Suites Birmingham $$: Perfect for longer stays, this all-suite hotel offers modern, spacious accommodations with kitchenettes and complimentary breakfast, located in the city center.
• Hampton by Hilton Birmingham Broad Street $$: A budget-friendly yet comfortable option, offering well-appointed rooms, free breakfast, and a convenient location close to nightlife and attractions.
• EasyHotel Birmingham $: An affordable choice for travelers on a budget, offering clean, compact rooms in a central location, perfect for a simple and practical stay.

HOW TO GET TO AND AROUND BIRMINGHAM, UK 

You can take a bus or train from wherever you are in England. Use Trainline that shows you bus and train options in the same search so you can choose the cheapest, fastest option. You can also rent a car which means you’ll get more flexibility!

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