Birmingham is a city that has been through many changes throughout the years. From its industrial roots to its modern-day renaissance, Birmingham has always been ahead of the game regarding new technologies and trends in the world.
The city is full of interesting historic buildings, gorgeous parks, green spaces, and plenty of street art to admire while walking around town. There are also plenty of museums where you can learn more about Birmingham’s history or enjoy exploring all things chocolatey. Here are the top things to do in Birmingham to make the most out of your trip.
Hire a Coach in Birmingham for Guided Tours and Day Trips
Using a coach hire in Birmingham is your best bet if you’re looking for a reliable way to get around the city. It can be beneficial if you want to explore the surrounding areas and take day trips from Birmingham. Not only will it be comfortable and convenient, but it will also make sure that everything is taken care of so that you can focus on enjoying yourself.
You can find coach companies offering guided tours and day trips by searching on Google or booking directly through their website. As long as there are places near where you want to go, there’s bound to be something available no matter what period or budget level you have in mind. If not, there are still plenty of options available within driving distance. Just ensure they’re reputable before handing over any money.
Take the Time to Explore Birmingham’s Extensive Public Art
If you’re an art lover, Birmingham is an exciting place to visit. The city has more than 1,000 sculptures and over 100 public artworks spread out across the city. For example, you can find the most extensive collection of pre-Raphaelite art in the world at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery or explore the fascinatingly beautiful mosaics inside the Grade II listed Central Library.
Birmingham also has several public artworks that are free to visit, consider taking photos next to The Thinker outside Thinktank, observing John Chamberlain’s abstract steel sculpture at The Mailbox, or visiting Janet Echelman’s colorful and captivating ‘Sky Mirror’ at Selfridges on your trip to Birmingham in 2023.
Hop on a Bike and Explore the City’s Diverse Neighborhoods
During the Commonwealth Games 2022, bike travel clocked 49,000 miles in 12 days, which is just short of traveling around the world twice. There are cycle routes throughout the city, and you’ll find that Birmingham is very bike-friendly. You can hire bikes from local shops or rent one for the day or longer to explore some of the city’s more diverse neighborhoods.
Birmingham has several cycle routes that take in some of its most famous attractions, such as Cadbury World and The Barber Institute of Fine Arts. There are also numerous rental shops where you can pick up your bicycle for the day, so don’t worry about bringing one.
Visit Birmingham Food Fest for Some of the City’s Best Street Food
Being a foodie, you’ll want to make the most of your Birmingham trip by enjoying some of the best street food in the city. The Birmingham Food Fest is one of the best ways to do this, as it offers over 100 stalls serving everything from burgers to artisanal cheese and even vegan donuts. Moreover, the famous Colmore Food Festival will celebrate its 10th anniversary in July 2023.
The festival takes place in June each year and is located in Centenary Square on Broad Street between Bull Street and Stephenson Place. It’s easy to get to, too, take any train from New Street station or Snow Hill Station and get off at Grand Central Station, then follow signs for “Centenary Square,” which will lead you right there.
Go Shopping in the Jewellery Quarter
The Jewellery Quarter is one of the UK’s most prestigious jewelry quarters, with over 300 businesses and manufacturers located within its six-block area. The area’s rich history dates back to the 1700s when it was home to many of Birmingham’s finest goldsmiths.
Today, it remains one of the world’s most famous jewelry districts and an excellent place for shoppers looking for quality pieces at affordable prices. It also boasts several well-known brands, including Anya Hindmarch, Geoffrey Beene Limited, and Vacheron Constantin.
Visit One of the City’s Many Markets
While in Birmingham, make the most of your trip by visiting one of the city’s many markets. Markets are great for exploring the city, as they often have a wide range of food and drink, local culture, and art. Markets also make for an affordable way to get some shopping done while you’re on vacation.
The best part? There is plenty of options when it comes to markets in Birmingham. From street-food stands to farmers’ markets, there’s something for everyone. So, whether you’re looking for a quick bite or want something more substantial, there’s always something new to discover at one of these events.
Dig Deeper Into the City’s History at the Hidden Spaces Tour
The Hidden Spaces Tour is a free walking tour of Birmingham’s hidden gems, which takes you through the city center and into some of the city’s oldest buildings. The tour is guided by a local historian and archaeologist, who will show you all sorts of things you would never find on your own.
It’s run by the same people who run Birmingham Stories, another great free online resource for learning more about Birmingham’s history. If you’re interested in participating in this tour, sign up early, as it sells out fast.
Spend a Day at Cadbury World to See How Chocolate Is Made
The area is also home to Cadbury World, which was opened by Morgan Anderson on August 14th, 1990, on Cadbury’s Bournville manufacturing site. It’s worth a day trip or more if you have time.
The factory tour will give you an insight into how chocolate is made and show you all sorts of fun things, like how they make their famous Dairy Milk bars and what happens when an egg hits one of their fountains. You can even jump on a rollercoaster in the factory.
If that sounds too intense for you, there are still plenty of other things to do at Cadbury World. Take photos with giant chocolate bars, explore rooms full of cocoa beans from around the world, try some samples from their cafe or wander around taking it all in. And remember your camera, you’ll want to capture every moment.
Conclusion
The best part is that you can do it in just one trip. Birmingham is a city rich with history and culture, but also a great place to have fun with friends or family. You can take advantage of the many summer events around town or explore independently.
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