Fun things to do in Birmingham
As the UK's second-largest city, you'll never be short of fun things to do in Birmingham. From fascinating museums and art galleries to restaurants, indie boozers and festivals - students are spoiled for choice when exploring their new home.
Here, we look at a variety of the top attractions and activities in Birmingham, including tourist attractions, free activities, places to eat and more.
Free things to do in Birmingham
Living on a budget is a natural part of student life, but it doesn’t stop you from doing things across the city. Those looking for cheap and free things to do in Birmingham are in luck as the city is packed with attractions and activities that won't cost a penny.
Visit the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, which is a beautiful Grade II-listed landmark building and one of our top things to do in Birmingham for free. Their collection includes art and design, human history, natural science, and science and industry. General admission is free, but you may have to pay for specific events and exhibitions.
With one of the UK's most outstanding geological collections, The Lapworth Museum of Geology is also worth a visit. It’s also another of the many free things to do in Birmingham.
Another option is Cannon Hill Park. It was designed by TJ Gibson, who also designed London's Battersea Park. Over the last decade, it’s held Green Flag status as one of the UK's best green spaces. The beautiful green landscape is free to explore and hosts activities like mini golf, pedal boating in the lake and tennis.
Tourist attractions in Birmingham
No exploration of Birmingham is complete without visiting some of the city's top tourist attractions.
Cadbury World is arguably one of the best attractions in Birmingham for those with a sweet tooth. From making your own chocolate to learning how Cadbury started along Birmingham's Bull Street, there's lots to see and do.
If you’re a student who loves history, immerse yourself in the history of Black Country through the open-air Black Country Living Museum (which offers a student discount on general admission). Learn over 250 years of history, from the Industrial Revolution to the post-war boom.
Castle Bromwich's Historical Gardens is one of the UK's only unchanged 18th-century formal gardens, with Dutch and French influences. Take one of its beautiful formal walks or explore its orchards, vegetable gardens and wildlife areas. The gardens are located right at the edge of the city and offer calm, open spaces—ideal for those who want a break from their busy student lives.
Fun activities in Birmingham
While the above list is filled with enjoyable, cultural, and relaxing things to do across the city, what are the really fun things to do in Birmingham?
You can test your mystery-solving skills in one of Escape Live's immersive escape rooms. Escape Live is one of the most fun things to do in Birmingham with a group of friends. There are several different escape rooms to explore, from Peaky Blinders-themed rooms to hospital horrors and space travel.
Some of the top things to do in Birmingham for students are going to gigs and sports matches. Utilita Arena is the perfect place for this, hosting a range of music, comedy and sporting events. It offers a huge variety of entertainment, making it the perfect activity for students with all different types of interests.
Birmingham is also home to a number of fun nightclubs, one of them being Rosies Birmingham. Known for being one of the best nightclubs in Birmingham, Rosies offer five themed rooms - each tailored to specific music tastes.
Places to eat in Birmingham
Another great perk of moving to Birmingham is the food. The city is home to several fantastic restaurants serving a variety of cuisines.
One of the go-to places to eat in Birmingham, Cafe Lovelife offers some delicious dishes. From refreshing breakfast and brunch options to its evening tapas, there's something on the menu for everyone. As its name suggests, Cafe Lovelife is also a good place to grab a great-tasting coffee (award-winning, in fact).
The original Baked in Brick restaurant is the place for street food in Birmingham, located in Digbeth's Custard Factory. Founded by Lee Desanges - the British Street Food Award's Best Street Food Trader of 2016 - Baked in Brick is famous for its pizzas but also offers a variety of other great-tasting dishes.
Another one of the top places to eat in Birmingham is The Indian Streatery. Founded by foodies who started as street food traders, the restaurant has an all-female chefs team and serves up deliciously authentic Indian dishes.
If you love markets and are trying to eat on a budget, buy your fresh groceries from Bull Ring Indoor Market. It’s a great place to find fresh food, household goods and even clothing. It’s one of the UK’s largest fish markets but also offers a variety of other fresh meats and poultry, exotic fruit, vegetables, and more.
Things to do in Birmingham city centre
If you want to keep things central, there are plenty of things to do in Birmingham city centre.
Birmingham's waterways offer a peaceful refuge from the hustle and bustle of city life. They’re also said to offer more miles of canals to explore than Venice. Walk down by the water and experience its vibrant collection of restaurants, bars and beautiful architecture.
Birmingham Library is one of the top free things to do in Birmingham city centre. Whether you're looking for the perfect place to have your study sessions or want a quiet place to tuck into a good book, Birmingham Library gives you a peaceful spot to focus.
FAQs
How to spend a day in Birmingham
There are many ways to spend a day in Birmingham. The best way to organise the day will depend on what you like to do for fun.
If you’re a student new to the city and looking to discover its history better, it’s worth visiting cultural and historical attractions like the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and the Black Country Living Museum. To get to know its food culture, try our top places to eat in Birmingham, or our fun activities for a little excitement.
Is Birmingham famous for anything?
Yes, Birmingham is famous for a few different reasons.
- It was a centre of manufacturing throughout the Industrial Revolution
- Cadbury was founded in Birmingham in 1824
- Birmingham is the birthplace of Balti curry
- The Peaky Blinders criminal gang (on who the Peaky Blinders TV show was based on) were from Birmingham
What is the most famous street in Birmingham?
One of the most famous streets in Birmingham is New Street, which runs from Bullring to Town Hall. You'll find an array of popular shops, cafes, and more along its path.
There are many things to do in Birmingham for students to take advantage of, scattered all across the city. Making the most of what the city offers can take your student experience to the next level.
Moving to Birmingham for your studies? You'll find iQ accommodation in three locations across the city. Explore our student accommodation in Birmingham for your next big move.
