Birmingham great ideas
What to do indoors
Back to Backs
Step back in time by and visit the last remaining court of Back to Back housing in the Midlands This courtyard of Back to Backs has been carefully restored to reflect four different time periods.
The Sea Life Centre
Birmingham's unique flagship National Sea Life Centre takes visitors on a spectacular undersea voyage with over 60 displays of freshwater and marine life, creating a wonderland for visitors of all ages.
Canal Cruise
From Heritage Marina, choose from Bosley, Ramsdell, Astbury, Sherborne Prince, Lothbury Lady and Marple narrowboats. Their base is located near the junction of the Macclesfield and Trent & Mersey Canals in Scholar Green, near Kidsgrove and is very well placed for a variety of cruising routes including the Cheshire & Four Counties Rings.
The Mailbox
The Mailbox contains a variety of lifestyle stores alongside its designer retail stores, including the recently opened Aga Shop incorporating Fired Earth through to Bang & Olufsen, Descamps and The Artlounge, a contemporary art gallery. It also features a wide variety of stylish restaurants and café bars.
National Exhibition Centre
The NEC is the UK's largest exhibition space and Europe's busiest exhibition venue with over 20 halls playing host to 200 exhibitions and more than 4 million attendees each year. Events like Crufts, The BBC Good Food Show and the National Boat and Caravan Show return year after year.
The Pen Room
Try writing with reed pens, quills, steel pens & typewriters and See working hand presses and displays of writing equipment made in Birmingham. You can also read about the history of the pen companies and learn about the manufacturing process.
What to do outdoors
Brindleyplace
Soak up the atmosphere at Brindleyplace, a vibrant and attractive canalside destination situated at the very heart of Birmingham. This award-winning leisure and business destination has something for everyone.
Bull Ring Walks
Take a heritage trail through the heart of Birmingham. From the mediaeval centre to the latest `shop till you drop’ iconic building of Selfridges. Visit the mother church of Birmingham – St Martin’s, the Lord of the Manor’s House – the home of the De Bermingham family, the Chinese Quarter, the Back to Back houses, the Lady Well - a magical mystery tour!
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
The Birmingham Botanical Gardens & Glasshouses are a 15 acre oasis of delight. Designed by J. C. Loudon, a leading garden planner, horticultural journalist and publisher, they opened to subscribers in 1832. Today, you will find beauty, peace and tranquility combined with excellent visitor facilities for all the family.
Wheel of Birmingham
Standing at a height of 60 metres the Birmingham Wheel towers over Centenary Square. The Ferris Wheel is not a permanent feature of Birmingham, having arrived in the city from Paris where it was last located.
Botanic Garden at Winterbourne
Winterbourne Botanic Garden at the University of Birmingham is a six acre Edwardian Arts and Crafts style garden on the university's Edgbaston Campus. The garden is a haven of peace and tranquillity only 15 minutes from the city centre.
What to do in the daytime
Museums & galleries
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
A spectacular Victorian building housing the world’s finest collection of pre-Raphaelite art. The museum's collection includes work by Burne-Jones, William Morris, masters by French, Dutch and Italian artists from the 14thC to the present day.
Ikon Gallery
Ikon is one of Europe's premier contemporary art galleries, situated in the heart of canalside Brindleyplace. Ikon presents a changing programme of national and international work from emerging and established artists.
Thinktank
Ten themed galleries of interactive, informative exhibits make up Thinktank, Birmingham's science museum. It's a truly modern museum where you can investigate everything from locomotives and aircraft to intestines and taste buds!
MAC Arts Centre at Cannon Hill Park
MAC, Britain's liveliest arts centre, nestles in the Victorian splendour of Cannon Hill Park in Birmingham. The programme runs every day and includes theatre, dance, drama, comedy, cinema, literature, exhibitions, courses and workshops.
Barber Institute of Fine Art
One of the finest small galleries in the world, housing an outstanding collection of old master and modern paintings including masterpieces by Bellini, Rubens, Poussin, Murillo, Gainsborough, Rossetti, Whistler and Magritte.
What to do at nighttime
Entertainment
Birmingham Repertory Theatre
One of Britain's most successful producing theatres, having achieved national recognition and prestigious awards for the quality, excitement innovation of its programme.
Birmingham Hippodrome
Home to the Birmingham Royal Ballet and DanceXchange, Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre is one of the City's most exciting and vibrant theatres, with a dramatic tradition that spans over one hundred years.
Symphony Hall and the CBSO
Symphony Hall presents prestigious international orchestras and is also home to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Complementing the classical programme is the best in jazz, world music, folk, rock, pop and stand-up comedy.
Glee Club
One of Birmingham’s most popular comedy clubs, which plays host to a regular stream of top comics from around the country.
The Drum
The Drum is Europe's first arts centre dedicated to African, Asian and Caribbean Arts and Culture with an enticing programme of entertainment and educational courses.
The Custard Factory
A large former industrial complex which houses a number of cafes and bars including the Medicine Bar and Rooty Fruity.
Eating and drinking
Le Petit Blanc
This modern Parisien brasserie offers a French and Southeast Asian menu.
Simpson's
Simpsons Restaurant is a Michelin Restaurant based in Edgbaston and specialising in French cuisine.
Lasan
Prepared and cooked by award winning chefs – Lasan’s delicious menu is famous around the Midlands for offering a unique taste of real Indian cuisine.
Bar Epernay
Bar Epernay is Birmingham's premier Champagne and Piano Bar. Situated in the exclusive development of The Mailbox, Bar Epernay encompasses surroundings of elegance and sophistication within a stylish setting.
Shogun Teppan Yaki Japanese Restaurant
Caters for the connoisseurs with a Sushi bar and Teppan-yaki. Japanese cuisine is cooked, served and presented in an artistic, unique style, which gives the customer a wide choice of traditional dishes to choose from.
Thai Edge
Thai Edge Restaurants are the very epitome of contemporary Oriental design where you will be welcomed Thai style to taste and enjoy exotic Thai cuisine in a relaxing modern environment.
Events
Birmingham International Jazz Festival
Jazz fans and other fun-lovers from all over the country – and further afield – make their way to Birmingham for the biggest and best free jazz party in the UK.
Arts Fest
A free annual festival of arts held in Centenary Square in the heart of the city which includes comedians, bands, dance, orchestras, artists and singers.
Discovery Day
A wide range of family activities which take place throughout the city at various venues
Birmingham Pride
Birmingham's Gay Pride Festival takes places over the May Bank Holiday and includes outside bars, catering, a funfair, markets, craft stalls and a whole lot more.
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