A trip to Birmingham: Something for everyone

The historic city of Birmingham in the West Midlands of England has a lot to offer. It’s long been a hub for industry and innovation, as a major player during the Industrial Revolution, and today it is one of the busiest cities in the UK with a thriving economy second only to the capital. Similarly, it boasts five reputable universities, making it the largest centre of higher education in the country outside London. Birmingham is also home to some major cultural institutions with international profiles, and its vibrant arts, literary, sports and culinary scenes make it a must-visit. It’s not surprising, then, that in 2021 this was the third most visited city in the UK by people from abroad. 

With all of this in mind, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in the city, but as it’s hard to know where to start, here are some pointers.

Sports fans

Birmingham hosted the famous Commonwealth Games in 2022, and there are venues for all kinds of sports, among them Villa Park, home of Aston Villa FC. Edgbaston Cricket Ground is the largest cricket ground in the UK after Lord’s and is a top destination for test cricket and one-day internationals. There’s a well known golfing scene, with two major championship courses on the outskirts, including the Belfry, which has hosted the Ryder Cup more often than any other venue. The city also has a strong motor racing pedigree; the world-famous Wheels Park is a state-of-the-art motorsport venue that holds events throughout the year. 

Nature and dating

There are 571 parks in Birmingham – more than any other European city – and over six million trees throughout, making it a wonderful place to visit for lovers of the great outdoors. Sutton Park in the north covers 2,400 acres, the largest urban park in Europe and a national nature reserve. There’s also the Birmingham Botanical Gardens for horticulture, as well as the Sea Life Centre and Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park for inspiring animal experiences. These are typical places chosen for dating and first encounters. Also, the Birmingham escorts scene is quite lively, not least due to the influx of tourists and wide range of atmospheric bars.

Culture vultures

Birmingham is brimming with culture, home to a thriving music scene, fine art innovation and cutting-edge film and theatre. The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Library of Birmingham and Barber Institute of Fine Arts are just a few of the world-leading cultural institutions based in the city, and there is always something new to see for culture vultures. Since 1997 the city has hosted an annual arts festival called ArtsFest (said to be the largest free arts festival in the UK), when families can enjoy many of the city’s arts for free. There is also a deeply rooted Brummie literary tradition, with writers such as JRR Tolkein, David Lodge and Benjamin Zephaniah.

Foodies

Birmingham is the only town outside London to have five Michelin-starred restaurants: Simpson’s in Edgbaston, Carters of Moseley, and Purnell’s, Opheem and Adam’s in the centre. It’s also home to a number of breweries, street food markets, food festivals and industry competitions. There is a long-standing emphasis on food industry in the city, with big brands such as Typhoo tea, Bird’s Custard, Bournville cocoa, Cadbury chocolate, and HP Sauce originating in the area, and Cadbury World is a must-visit for chocoholics. Birmingham is particularly famous for its Balti restaurants, but there are international options for all tastes and endless opportunities for special occasions.

Sightseeing

Lastly, this is a city primed for sightseers. There’s plenty of history and architecture to take in, including of course the pedestrian-friendly Victoria Square. The city centre is a triumph of Victorian construction, with plenty of scope for walking tours, and it’s well worth going to see the once-famous back-to-back houses, a short walk from the centre. The Birmingham Museum offers further insight into the area’s history. The Jewellery Quarter is a fascinatingly quirky centre for fine art and history, with a gallery almost on every corner, there are the canals to visit, and elsewhere there’s a science museum and a cathedral.

The editorial unit