Birmingham

Understand

Birmingham ["ber-ming-'"m] was at the heart of Britain's Industrial Revolution, and its wealth was built upon the multitude of trades that were spawned. This led to a massive canal network, with more miles of canals than Venice or Amsterdam (though they're very different types of canal). Grand warehouses, offices, railway stations, and civic structures were built as a result of this great progress. Much of the city centre was destroyed during the Blitz, and the post war rebuilding effort resulted in many brutalist concrete structures, made to be built as cheaply and quickly as possible. However, since the 1990s, Birmingham has been undergoing a radical change and many of the post war buildings have been replaced. The majority of the city centre is now pedestrianised, and the canals cleaned up to make for attractive walkways. Increased investment in public spaces, re-development of run down areas, and especially long-term transport projects, have improved the city's image, giving it some shine.

The city's notable associations are as diverse as HP Sauce, Tony Hancock, Cadbury's, the Lunar Society (whose members included James Watt and Matthew Boulton), Jasper Carrott, the Spitfire, and the Mini (car, not skirt). Birmingham also has an active music scene, with bands and artists like Black Sabbath, UB40, Napalm Death, Duran Duran, and The Beat hailing from the area. The city is also known for being the backdrop of the BBC period TV drama Peaky Blinders, which has helped to increase interest in the city. Birmingham has many literary associations - not only JRR Tolkien, but also Washington Irving, who wrote Rip Van Winkle while lodging here with his sister's family, and Conan Doyle, who bought a violin in Sherlock Street while a medical student in Birmingham. The authors Jim Crace, Judith Cutler and David Lodge are also residents. The nearby locations of Shropshire, Warwick, and Stratford-upon-Avon provide more of the stereotypical images of "olde" England. However, Birmingham has many of its own tourist attractions, has an extremely lively nightlife, and the shopping is one of the best outside of London.

Orientation

The City of Birmingham as it stands today encompasses a very large array of former towns and villages surrounding the original town of Birmingham, that have been incorporated into it over the years. Therefore, even if a point of interest is officially in Birmingham, it can be located quite far away from the actual city centre, in what can appear as a separate small town or even countryside. Addresses are often given including the name of th

Getting there

By plane 1 Birmingham Airport (BHX IATA) (just outside the city, in Solihull, about 8 mi (13 km) east of central Birmingham). A major airport serving the city and the rest of the West Midlands region with frequent international flights. There are several direct arrivals a day from all major UK and European destinations, and a few from more far-flung places such as Delhi, Doha, Dubai (twice daily), Orlando Sanford, Amritsar, Islamabad, and Ashgabat. A free people mover, Air-Rail Link, connects the airport passenger terminal with Birmingham International rail station between 5:15AM and 2AM; it runs every two minutes and the journey time is less than two minutes. From Birmingham International rail station trains run to New Street Station every 5–15 minutes from around 6:05AM (Su 8:45AM) to 11:15PM. The journey takes 10–20 minutes depending on whether you get an express or local (stopping) service and costs £2.50 one-way (express service - Avanti trains only) or £3.60 one-way for a ticket valid on any service.

Bus service 900 runs every 20–30 minutes between Birmingham and Coventry via the airport from around 4:50AM (Su 7AM) to midnight, takes around 25 minutes (can be much longer in peak periods) and costs £2.20 one way; the ticket is not valid for transfers. Bus service 97A provides an hourly service through the night. A day ticket (Daysaver) for all NXWM buses is available for £4 (£4.60 before 9AM), but it can also be purchased for €5 on any airport service. Exact change is required. If a group is travelling together, a Group Daysaver for £8 will cover up to 5 people for unlimited journeys for a day.National Express coaches serve the airport every half hour during the early hours of the morning which is very handy for morning flights, as the trains don't usually start until later in the morning. The fare varies depending on whether it is booked in advance, although tickets can be purchased on the coach subject to seats being available. A taxi from the airport to central Birmingham will take around 20–30 minutes and will cost around £22; however, a trip by rail will be far more direct, and undoubtedly quicker during peak times. The National Exhibition Centre (NEC) is adjacent to the airport and can be accessed by the free Air-Rail Link via Birmingham International station. Cars dropping off passengers at the airport must pay a minimum fee of £3. This includes taxis and private hire cars, which pass the charge on to passengers. The charge can be avoided by being dropped off at Birmingham International Railway Station, where there is no charge, and then

Getting around

On foot in the City Centre

Birmingham's City Centre is mostly pedestrianised, and most things to see and do can be reached on foot. Birmingham walking directions can be planned online with the walkit.com walking route planner. Visitors may enjoy the walk from the International Convention Centre (ICC) and the Symphony Hall on the top of Broad Street to the Bull Ring shopping complex, which takes around twenty minutes and may involve only one easy surface road-crossing. From the ICC, you walk east by the Repertory Theatre and Library of Birmingham in Centenary Square; then through the site of the former Paradise Forum to Chamberlain Square; with the Museum and Art Gallery to your left and the Grade I-listed Town Hall on your right, you make your way to the spacious Victoria Square. At Victoria Square, you will find the Town Hall to the west, the Council Offices to the north, and the old Head Post Office to the South; the path you want to the Bull Ring is south-east, down New Street, which is a pedestrianised street lined with shops, stores, and kiosks. About five blocks down New Street, you will come to Corporation Street, the only road crossing you need to make on this walk. A few blocks later, New Street will turn into Rotunda Square. Bearing south towards St. Martin's Church, you will find the 21st-century Bull Ring Shopping Complex to your left and right. Birmingham has a large canal network. In the city centre, extensive development has enhanced the environment and level of amenities around these canals, making them excellent pedestrian routes in their own right. Visitors would enjoy the peaceful ten-minute car-free canal stroll from Brindleyplace, National Sea Life Centre, and Sherborne Wharf, all next to the ICC, eastward under Broad Street, through Gas Street Basin, to The Mailbox (Birmingham's former Head Post Office, turned into shops and restaurants). Other walks in the City Centre include the wheelchair accessible summer Floral trail from The Mailbox to St Paul's Square, which in turn is the beginning point of another walk, the historic Jewellery Quarter in Bloom trail, where one can visit the Chamberlain Clock or St Paul's Church.

By bicycle

Birmingham City Council produces an excellent cycling and walking map of the area. You can pick one up from any local library, tourist information office, leisure centre or bike shop. Birmingham is a somewhat cycle-friendly city, and is possible to get around without too much trouble. There are plenty of places to lock a bike up in the city centre, but few cycle lanes and lots of pedestrians. Unless

See

Birmingham doesn't have a reputation for being especially picturesque, but there is a lot of interesting architecture in the city centre that the shops and crowds sometimes obscure. For such a (relatively) large population centre, the countryside (in the form of country parks such as the Lickey Hills, Waseley Hills, etc.) is surprisingly close.

Museums and art galleries For a place with a strong industrial heritage, Birmingham does not have the large range of historical attractions you may expect; however, this is offset by the arts being extremely well-represented.

1 Aston Hall, Trinity Rd, Aston (Train to Aston or Witton or #7 bus), ☏ +44 121 327-0062, [email protected]. Restored Jacobean mansion built between 1618 and 1635, containing period rooms and artwork. Cannon damage from the English Civil War is still visible. The Hall was visited by Arthur Conan Doyle and Washington Irving, inspiring the latter's 'Bracebridge Hall'. Aston Hall by Candlelight is a popular Christmas event that takes place every two years (even numbers) where the whole grounds are lit by candles for 17th-century festivities (fee charged). Closed when Aston Villa are playing at home. Admission to grounds is free. £8 (adults). (updated May 2019) 2 Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TS (on the University of Birmingham campus, off Edgbaston Park Rd, train to University or #61, #62 or #63 bus), ☏ +44 121 414-7333, fax: +44 121 414-3370, [email protected]. M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. Small gallery with an excellent eclectic permanent collection, including many pre-Raphaelites. Good Britain Guide gallery of the year 2004. As of April 2026, the Barber galleries are closed for a major building improvement project. Free (donations welcome). (updated Feb 2018) 3 Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Chamberlain Square, B3 3DH (Central), ☏ +44 121 303-2834. W-Su 10AM-5PM. Large museum with some local history, several temporary exhibitions and large permanent collection, including an extensive collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings. Home to part of the stunning Anglo-Saxon hoard, the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold metal work discovered just north of Birmingham in 2009. Includes the Gas Hall and Waterhall Gallery of Modern Art.As of August 2025, only some galleries are open, due to refurbishment. Free (donations welcome). (updated Aug 2025)

4 IKON Gallery, 1 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, B1 2HS (off Broad St), ☏ +44 121 248-0708, fax: +44 121 248-0709, [email protected]. Tu-Su 11AM-6PM. Small gallery with two or three temp

Do

Events

Birmingham hosts some of the largest events, exhibitions and conferences in the country, which may or may not be of interest to a visitor.

1 National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Marston Green, Solihull (train to Birmingham International or #900 bus), ☏ +44 870 909 4133 (premium rate), [email protected]. A huge exhibition centre, staging more than 180 exhibitions each year in 21 halls totalling 200,000 m². Also has a 12,000-seat arena hosting national and international sporting and entertainment events. Free-£40 (price varies with event).. 2 Arena Birmingham (National Indoor Arena), King Edwards Rd., B1 2AA, ☏ +44 870 909 4133 (premium rate), [email protected]. A fairly large, modern arena hosting many national and international sporting and entertainment events. Prices vary with event and seating. (updated May 2019) 3 International Convention Centre (ICC), Broad St, ☏ +44 121 200-2000, [email protected]. A modern convention centre sharing a building with Symphony Hall. 4 The Custard Factory, Gibb Street. Self-styled "Birmingham's Creative Quarter" this eclectic venue plays host to various events, as well as club nights on weekends and some weekdays in what was an actual custard factory in its former life. On bigger nights the large pool at the centre of the venue is drained and turned into a dancefloor with a heated marquee over it.

Live music The live music scene in Birmingham is vibrant and varied, and something can be experienced just about any night of the week. Libraries, tourist information offices and music-related bars and shops will stock copies of The Fly or "Ryan's Gig Guide" free publications with exhaustive listings of every music event going on in the city and surrounding area. 5 Symphony Hall, Broad St, ☏ +44 121 780 3333 (box office), [email protected]. Internationally renowned concert venue with two to four classical concerts per week. Also offers free pre-concert talks. £26-62 (price varies with seating: £5 tickets available for students and under 18s, £10 tickets for 18-30 year olds). (updated Apr 2026) 6 CBSO Centre, Berkley St (off Broad St), ☏ +44 121 616-6500, +44 121 780-3333 (ticket line), [email protected]. Modern rehearsal facilities for the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO). Concerts usually once a week, including Centre Stage intimate chamber music. £5-12. 7 O2 Institute (Digbeth Institute), 78 Digbeth, ☏ +44 121 633-8311, +44 870 907 0999 (premium rate ticket line). O2 Institute (formerly The Institute, HMV Institute, etc) is a new name. Focusing on alternative, pop and u

Buy

Since the beginning of the 21st century Birmingham has developed enormously as a regional shopping centre, with the old Bull Ring complex (once a notorious 1960s eyesore) being demolished to make way for a large shopping centre that includes Selfridges. The city and suburbs have the usual assortment of supermarkets, newsagents and corner shops. The city centre is especially well-served, with three Tesco, two Sainsbury's and one Co-op outlets.

Shopping centres 1 Bullring. Regionally-important shopping mall, connected to Grand Central 2 The Mailbox. Home to the region's only Harvey Nichols, as well as many other designer boutiques. 3 Grand Central. Located directly above New Street Station. The mall provides a fast link from the Bullring directly into New Street Station, with relatively little pedestrian traffic. (updated Nov 2023) 4 Martineau Place. Martineau Place is a small shopping centre, which holds a Gap, H&M, O'Neill Store and Freespirit, as well as an obligatory Starbucks Coffee House. 5 Great Western Arcade. A traditional shopping arcade built in 1875 over the Great Western railway line, which cut through the city. It has an ornate entrance on the Temple Row side, and a less impressive one from Colmore Row and a clock with carillion. There is a mixture of all kinds of shops, all pleasantly fitting within the late 19th-century theme with their decorations. 6 Picadilly Arcade, New Street. A historic shopping arcade with painted plafonds and a potpourri of specialist premises right next to the New Street station.

Shopping streets

The principal shopping streets are New Street, High Street and Corporation Street. All include the usual assortment of high street chain-stores and discount outlets. Birmingham's High Street has become run down as of late, holding mainly discount stores, due to the attraction of the Bull Ring to larger name stores. However, New Street, going towards Victoria Square has many upmarket stores.

Markets 7 Bull Ring Markets, The Bull Ring, ☏ +44 121 303-0300, [email protected]. Indoor Market: M-Sa 9AM-5:30PM, Rag Market: Tu Th-Sa 9AM-5PM, Open Market: Tu-Sa 9AM-5PM. The markets comprise the original trading centre that Birmingham was built upon. There are hundreds of stalls, and you'll be able to get everything from food to underwear to gaffa tape relatively cheaply.

Speciality stores 8 Worlds Apart (known for decades as Nostalgia & Comics), 14-16 Smallbrook Queensway, B5 4EN, ☏ +44 121 643-0143. M-Sa 9:30AM–5:30PM, Su 11AM-4PM. Comics, graphic novels, manga and the usual alternative oddities. Idea

Eat

Birmingham is the balti capital of England, and the balti was invented here in 1977. It is a type of curry served in a thin, pressed-steel wok called a "balti bowl". The much-promoted "balti triangle" covers around 50 restaurants on Ladypool Road and Stratford Road in Sparkbrook (often referred to as Little Somalia), about 2 miles south of the city centre. Travel West Midlands has a deal with eight of the larger eateries whereby you can get a 15% discount for travelling by bus, pick up a Balti Triangle by Bus leaflet for full details. A taxi to the area will take around 10 minutes and cost £5. It looks run-down and has a high rate of crime as of 2026, so be cautious.

Budget Birmingham has a large student population, and the usual cottage industries have sprung up in campus areas to cater for their lack of cash. There are around a dozen cheap eateries in the Selly Oak area of Bristol Road, mainly Indian but also Chinese, Italian and English. The usual fast food chains, kebab shops and burger vans are also scattered around the city and surrounding areas.

City centre 1 Eat4Less, 92 New St. Breakfast sandwiches are generous in size and tasty. Known for their baguettes but also do burgers, pizzas, omelettes and jacket potatoes. (updated Feb 2023) 2 Grand Central Kitchen, 7 Stephenson St. Perfect English breakfast. You can fully comprehend why there is a queue outside on a Sunday for breakfast because the food is so good. (updated Feb 2023) 3 Tortilla Birmingham, Stephenson Pl. Tasty from the burritos to the chips and the sauces. The meat is tender and juicy and the flavours are distinct and bold. (updated Feb 2023) 4 The Chicken Hut, 201 Corporation St. Fire food, try the supreme burger. A chicken steak burger for £2 (April 2021). (updated Feb 2023) 5 Caspian Pizza, 187 Corporation St. Lovely vegetarian panini. The seating is comfortable and the overall decor is nice. (updated Feb 2023) 6 LEON New Street Station, 25 Station Street New Street. Leon serves high quality tasty food and extremely quickly when on the move. They have a great vegan selection as well. Relaxing atmosphere and wonderful decor. (updated Feb 2023) 7 Baguettes 4 Less, 108 Corporation St. Nice baguettes. The jacket potatoes are good quality, well filled and piping hot. (updated Nov 2022) 8 Edwardian Tea Rooms, Chamberlain Square (inside Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery), ☏ +44 121 303-2834. M-Th Sa 10AM-5PM, F 10:30AM-5PM, Su 12:30PM-5PM. Authentic Edwardian cafe. The food is a lot better than the price suggests.

Around the International Convention Centre 9 Canalside Cafe, 35 Worc

Drink & nightlife

General

Dress code restrictions are rather common in Birmingham clubs, so be careful to check out each club's policy. Many clubs refuse to admit large groups of males in case of trouble, so go individually or in small groups. The usual excuse that door-staff give is that someone in the party is wearing the wrong type of shoes/coat/trousers etc. The general rule of thumb is no effort, no entry. This usually means shoes, not trainers, and a shirt, not a T-shirt. At the same time being dressed like that can be a hindrance, if you go to one of the cooler bars. It's best to check with someone who's been to the particular bar before. There are a number of areas in the city centre, which are defined below, but other areas to look for a night out are Moseley, Harborne and Selly Oak. If you are looking for the average drink, virtually any pub or bar will do. If you are a real ale aficionado, there are several excellent pubs to visit, where dress restrictions do not usually apply. Highlights include The Wellington (Bennets Hill), The Shakeseare (Summer Row), another The Shakeseare (Lower Temple Street), The Old Contemptables (Edmund Street, near Snow Hill Station), and the Post Office Vaults (New Street).

City centre 1 Bull, 1 Price St, B4 6JU, ☏ +44 121 333-6757. Quiet and comfortable pub, in the Gun quarter. Home-cooked food, too. 2 Figure of Eight, 236 Broad St, B1 2HG, ☏ +44 121 633-0917. Large city centre pub belonging to the Wetherspoon chain. 3 Bacchus, Burlington Arcade, ☏ +44 121 616-7991. Cheerfully ornate, gothic style cellar bar beneath The Burlington Hotel. Discretely hidden just off the bustling New Street. Bacchus is a relaxing oasis away from the buzz of the City Centre. A range of real ales is available. Over 21s only. 4 Craven Arms, Upper Gough Street, ☏ +44 121 643-6756. Situated out of the rear of the Mailbox complex, has great traditional blue tiled exterior. 5 Edmunds Lounge Bar and Eatery, 106-110 Edmund Street, ☏ +44 121 200-2423. Popular venue in the financial part of town, great food available every day. Known for quality pub food from local suppliers. £8-12. 6 The Malt House, 74 King Edwards Road, B1 2NX (sandwiched between the ICC and the NIA along the canal), ☏ +44 121 633-4171. Noon-11PM. Make no mistake this is a chain pub serving standard food and drinks. However, when the sun is shining it is difficult to find a nicer place to drink along Birmingham's canals as there is a plethora of outdoor seating. Visited by Bill Clinton during his Birmingham visit. 7 Old Fox, 54 Hurst St, ☏ +44 121 622-5080. 8 Old Joint Stock, 4 T

Sleep

Hostels If you want a more social feel to your stay why not try one of the hostels the city has to offer.

1 Birmingham Central Backpackers, 58 Coventry St (Digbeth), ☏ +44 121 643-0033. Birmingham's only independent hostel features a central location only streets from The Bull Ring, and next to the nightclubs of Digbeth. Beds in a shared dorm can be found for as little as £9 if you've got a sharp eye out and both breakfast and various foods in the evening are included, making it the West Midlands only half-board hostel. It is in the oldest part of the city, right near where the original manor house once stood. The area can look a little uninviting (this is what you will find outside the very centre of this industrial city), but the hostel makes up for it by being socially inviting (films/football can be watched and they have a Wii, playstation and xbox) and, as mentioned, still being close to The Bull Ring. They offer nightly events such as quiz night, beer tasting, movie nights and disco, and the common room is probably the best around. 2 Hatters Birmingham, 92-95 Livery Street (Jewellery Quarter), ☏ +44 121 236-4031. Less than a 10-minute walk to the centre, Hatters Birmingham have upped the norm in hostel accommodation boasting all ensuite rooms and a common room. Price includes bed linen & a free light breakfast which is served all day. From £14.50. 3 Bilberry Hill Residential Centre. For groups looking for accommodation in the scenic Lickey Hills, but with easy access to the centre.

Budget There is ample choice of hotels in the economy sector in Birmingham. 4 Campanile, Chester St. If you are travelling by car and on a budget, Campanile is your friend wherever you go - the rooms could not be more simple, but the locations are usually very convenient at motorway junctions. In Birmingham, it is north of town, where the A4540 ringroad meets the A38, which goes straight into the city, and has the added benefit of being located over the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal lock. 5 Comfort Inn, Station Street. Comfort Inn is a brand of non-standardized properties where price often trumps modern comforts, and this hotel is no exception. It also boasts a location right in front of the New Street station. 6 Gables Hotel, 43 Oxford Road, ☏ +44 121 449-1146. mid-priced and provide easy access to the centre of Moseley Village but in need of refurbishment. 7 Hampton by Hilton Birmingham Broad Street, Broad Street. Contemporary 3-star hotel offering 285 stylish rooms, free WiFi and complimentary breakfast. 8 Hampton by Hilton Birmingham City North, 98-104 Co

Go next

Solihull just south has museums and the National Exhibition Centre. Walsall just north has museums and the New Art Gallery Walsall. Ironbridge was the birthplace of Britain's Industrial Revolution, which powered the growth of cities like Birmingham. London is just two hours away, with inexpensive fares if you travel off-peak.