Birmingham Things To Do

History

A number of historic buildings are dotted among Birmingham city centre and the outskirts: 16th century Blakesley Hall, 14th century Selly Manor, Sarehole Mill, Weoley Castle and the fine medieval hall, Minworth Greaves. Within the city, take a look at the 13th century St Martin's Church, and visit ancient pubs like the 14th century Old Crown. Birmingham museum, housed in a Victorian school, has a strong accent on history. Look out for the free History Bus that circulates Birmingham museums.

Culture

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery contains Old Masters, Impressionists, and the world’s most extensive collection of Pre-Raphaelite art. For contemporary and multimedia art, visit the acclaimed Ikon Gallery, and there are a number of smaller galleries to be found in the Jewellery District. Birmingham has one of the most vibrant theatre scenes outside of London. The Birmingham Hippodrome and the Alexandra Theatre are great places to catch musicals, comedy and popular shows. Spectacular shows like the Cirque du Soleil have set up in the gigantic Star Centre complex, which also contains a vast 37-screen cinema complex and a huge casino. For an entertaining night out, try a Birmingham comedy club.

Shopping

Top Birmingham shopping experiences include the Bullring, Europe’s biggest city centre shopping centre, and the Star City centre, with its huge cinema complex. Don’t miss the famous Jewellery Quarter with its cafes, restaurants, museum and galleries, and for more traditional shopping and quality retailers, visit the attractive Victorian Great Western Arcade. Birmingham markets include an open market, a rag market, a fine indoor food market, and an antiques and collectors market.

Christmas Markets

In December, the city is transformed into a wonderland of dazzling lights and vibrant festive fun. The highlight of the season is the huge Frankfurt Christmas Market at New Street, which is the largest of its kind outside Germany, and boasts over 200 wooden stalls filled with local German produce, festive food and drink, retro wooden toys, decorations, knitwear and elegant china and glassware. Twinkling lights, tinsel, carol singers and rides on Father Christmas's sleigh add to the charming scene, and a fun fair and live bands ensure plenty of entertainment for the whole family.

Eating and drinking

In common with destinations such as Manchester and Leeds, Birmingham now attracts weekend tourism focusing on the city’s cafes, bars, restaurants and nightlife. The famous Balti Triangle, to the south of the city, is a paradise for curry fans, and all kinds of Asian food enjoys a good reputation. As for drinking, Birmingham offers everything from traditional pubs and student hangouts, to the trendiest of cocktail and DJ bars, with Broad Street Brindleyplace and the Arcadian being top Birmingham nightlife areas. The Birmingham clubbing scene includes cool chill-out bars, famous hi-tech nightclubs and a thriving gay scene, and plenty of smaller venues offer speciality music nights, from jazz to northern soul.

Family attractions

Top Birmingham attractions include the acclaimed National Sea Life Centre and the Thinktank, a highly entertaining and interactive science and transport museum. The vast IMAX Cinema features amazing 3D films, whilst Cadbury World in Bournville is a chocoholic’s paradise, and two outstanding family attractions nearby include Drayton Manor Theme Park and the West Midlands Safari Park. Drayton Manor features an incredible roller coaster, thrilling rides, family entertainment and a zoo, whilst West Midlands Safari Park has elephants, lions, rhinos, reptiles, a petting zoo, a fairground and theme park rides.