Birmingham, the United Kingdom’s second-largest city, is a vibrant hub of culture, diversity, and recreation.
With its scenic gardens, immersive museums, majestic castles, and a chocolate factory like Cadbury World, this West Midland city offers enchanting venues for every traveller!
Discover the top 20 Birmingham attractions to add to your itinerary, including all the details to know before visiting them.
| Read More: Explore the 15 best museums to visit in Birmingham. Check out how far Birmingham is from London and how to get there by train, bus, car, and flight. |
This Article Contains:
The Best 20 Birmingham Attractions To Add To Your Itinerary
- Birmingham Back to Backs
- Black Country Living Museum
- Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
- Warwick Castle
- St. Philip’s Cathedral
- National Motorcycle Museum
- Aston Hall
- National Sea Life Centre
- Lapworth Museum of Geology
- Pen Museum
- Victoria Square and Birmingham City Centre
- Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum
- Symphony Hall
- Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park
- Museum of the Jewellery Quarter
- Shakespeare Express
- Sheldon Country Park
- Barber Institute of Fine Arts
- Birmingham Hippodrome
- Mac Theatre
10 Other Birmingham Attractions to Visit
20 Amazing Birmingham Attractions To Add To Your Itinerary
Here are the top 20 must-see Birmingham attractions to visit on your trip:
1. Birmingham Back to Backs
“Birmingham Back to Backs” is a collection of thousands of adjacent houses built around a central courtyard (Court 15) during the mid-19th century. Once inhabited by the working class, these well-preserved houses carry fascinating exhibits highlighting their contributions to the city.
Address: 50-54, 55-63 Inge St, Hurst St, Birmingham B5 4TE, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 344 800 1895
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/birmingham-back-to-backs
Timings: Closed for renovation and will reopen in June 2022
Sunday: 10:30 am to 3:00 pm
Tuesday-Wednesday: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Thursday-Saturday: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Closed on Monday
Closest Bus Stop/Train Station:
Bus Stop: O2 Academy (Stop Hf1) (4-minute walk)
Train Station: Birmingham New Street (10-minute walk)
2. Black Country Living Museum
Spanning 26 acres, the Black Country Living Museum is an open-air museum housing an old mine shaft and a restored industrial community of 50 authentic houses, stores, and workshops.
While here, you can enjoy a ride on heritage vehicles, play classic street games, catch a short film in the 1920s-era theatre, or watch live demonstrations of nail and chain making.
Address: Tipton Rd, Dudley DY1 4SQ, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 121 557 9643
Website: https://bclm.com/
Timings:
28 Feb – 3 Apr: Open Wed-Sun, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Closed Mondays & Tuesdays
4 Apr – 30 Oct: Open daily, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
31 Oct – 27 Nov: Open Wed-Sun, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Closed Mondays & Tuesdays
Closest Bus Stop/Train Station:
Bus Stop: Tipton Cross Roads (3-minute walk)
Train Station: Tipton (16-minute walk)
3. Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
Visiting the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is one of the best things to do if you’re curious about the city’s stunning art and culture scene.
Opened in 1885, the museum exhibits works of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and the most extensive painting collection of Edward Burne-Jones. You can also catch the Pinto collection of 6000+ wooden toys and stop by the Edwardian Tearooms for a traditional English high-tea experience.
Address: Chamberlain Sq, Birmingham B3 3DH, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 121 348 8000
Website: https://www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/bmag/
Timings: Open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Closest Bus Stop/Train Station:
Bus Stop: Art Gallery (Stop Es1) (2-minute walk)
Train Station: Birmingham New Street (51-minute walk)
4. Warwick Castle
The incredible Warwick Castle encapsulates almost a thousand years of British history.
It features fabulous attractions like the Time Tower, the Princess Tower, the Castle Dungeon, and more.
And with sprawling 64-acre grounds, breathtaking gardens, and thrilling bird shows, this medieval attraction promises you an exciting, fun-filled experience.
Address: Castle, Castle Ln, Warwick CV34 4QU, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 1926 406610
Website: https://www.warwick-castle.com/
Timings: Open daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Closest Bus Stop/Train Station:
Bus Stop: O2 Academy (Stop Hf1) (4-minute walk)
Train Station: Birmingham New Street (10-minute walk)
5. St. Philip’s Cathedral
Built in 1715, the St. Philip’s Cathedral grew from a small parish church into a principal diocese church in 1905. While it was damaged during the 1940 bombing, the structure has been restored to its former glory and remains a fine specimen of English Baroque architecture.
Visit this artistic gem for its stunning grandeur and share a tranquil respite with visitors and worshippers.
Address: Cathedral Square, Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 2QB, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 121 262 1840
Website: http://www.birminghamcathedral.com/
Timings:
Monday to Saturday: 11:00 am to 8:00 pm
Sunday: 12:30 pm to 8:00 pm.
Closest Bus Stop/Train Station:
Bus Stop: Colmore Row (Stop Sh11) (2-minute walk)
Train Station: Birmingham Snow Hill (17-minute walk)
6. National Motorcycle Museum
Are you a motorcycle enthusiast curious about UK’s two-wheeled wonders?
Then you should definitely visit the National Motorcycle Museum!
With a dazzling collection of 1,000+ motorcycles restored to their original specifications, including a vintage 1898 machine, it offers you a closer look at the country’s longstanding motorcycle manufacturing heritage.
Address: Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull B92 0EJ, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 167 5 44 3311
Website: https://www.nationalmotorcyclemuseum.co.uk/
Timings: Open daily, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
Closest Bus Stop/Train Station:
Bus Stop: Arden Hotel (23-minute walk)
Train Station: Birmingham International (46-minute walk)
Light Rail Station: Birmingham Airport (47-minute walk)
7. Aston Hall
Built by Thomas Holte (after whom the Villa Park Holte End is named), Aston Hall is a 17th-century Jacobean mansion with over 30 rooms, exquisitely sculpted ceilings, and colourful, symmetric gardens.
Besides its structural magnificence, Aston Hall is also known as one of the UK’s most haunted buildings. So if you prefer history with a dash of murder mysteries and ghostly apparitions, this attraction is sure to tickle your fancy.
Address: Trinity Rd, Birmingham B6 6JD, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 121 348 8100
Website: https://www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/aston
Timings:
The Stable Yard Café and gardens: Open Wednesday to Sunday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Mansion: Open Wednesday to Sunday from 12 noon to 4:00 pm via timed entry.
Closest Bus Stop/Train Station:
Bus Stop: Sandy Lane (7-minute walk)
Train Station: Birmingham Moor Street (15-minute walk)
8. National Sea Life Centre
Touring the National Sea Life Centre is one of the best things to do if you want to entertain kids while in Birmingham.
It features several attractions for adults and children, including Dinosaur Detective events and ultra-modern rock pools with marine life like jellyfish, octopi, and Gentoo Penguins.
Address: Eleven Brindley Place, The Water’s Edge, Birmingham B1 2HL, United Kingdom
Website: https://www.visitsealife.com/birmingham/
Contact: +44 121 634 2610, live chat option is available on the website
Timings:
Monday to Friday: 9:30 am to 4:00 pm
Saturday: 9:30 am to 6:00 pm
Sunday: 9:30 am to 5:00 pm
Closest Bus Stop/Train Station:
Bus Stop: Broadfield Walk (3-minute walk)
Train Station: Birmingham Snow Hill (8-minute walk)
9. Lapworth Museum of Geology
The Lapworth Museum of Geology is one of the UK’s oldest geological museums, featuring the Midland’s most extensive display of fossils, minerals, maps, and equipment.
Take a fun and educative tour through 3.5 billion years of human history as you browse the museum’s spectacular collection of 255,000 artefacts — some dating back to the Palaeontological period.
Among the exquisite exhibits, you can find perfectly preserved pterosaurs, fishes, lobsters, dragonflies, crabs, and more from around the world.
Address: Aston Webb Building, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 121 414 3344
Website: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/facilities/lapworth-museum/index.aspx
Timings:
Monday to Friday: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 12 noon to 5:00 pm
Closest Bus Stop/Train Station:
Bus Stop: Bristol Rd (2-minute walk)
Train Station: Birmingham New Street (48-minute walk)
10. Pen Museum
The Pen Museum lies in the Jewellery Quarter, once famed for its 100 Birmingham pen manufacturing factories. Today, the museum showcases 10,000 exhibits that guide visitors through the region’s 19th-century history of the steel pen trade.
Besides watching the impressive displays, the best thing to do while here is to participate in fun calligraphy classes for beginners and experienced calligraphers.
Address: The Argent Centre, 60 Frederick St, Birmingham B1 3HS, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 0121 236 9834
Website: https://penmuseum.org.uk/
Timings:
Friday and Saturday: 11:00 am to 4:00 pm (last entry at 3:00 pm)
Sunday: 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Closest Bus Stop/Train Station:
Bus Stop: Vittoria St (Stop Nh7) (3-minute walk)
Train Station: Birmingham New Street (6-minute walk)
11. Victoria Square and Birmingham City Centre
Victoria Square, located in the heart of the city center, is a pedestrian-friendly neighbourhood accessible by the Birmingham City Centre Road.
Along the city center route, you’ll find the incredible Victorian-inspired Town Hall with 40 fancy Corinthic pillars of Anglesey marble. The venue is a haven for city musicians and has remained so since Felix Mendelssohn’s first Elijah performance in 1847.
You can also access the vibrant Bullring Shopping Centre from Victoria Square via Birmingham New Street.
Address: Birmingham B1 1BB, United Kingdom
Timings: Monday to Saturday from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm, closed on Sunday
Closest Bus Stop/Train Station:
Bus Stop: Alexandra Theatre (Stop Sf1) (4-minute walk)
Train Station: Jewellery Quarter (48-minute walk)
12. Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum
The Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum is a fascinating attraction for families visiting with kids.
The museum features over 200 intriguing and interactive science exhibits such as steam, a chocolate wrapping machine, etc. Other museum highlights include a mini-city called MiniBrum, a Science Garden, and a 4k Planetarium.
Prepare to be inspired and amazed as you cover four floors of great hands-on displays and historical collections.
Address: Millennium Point, Curzon St, Birmingham B4 7XG, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 0121 348 8000
Website: https://www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/thinktank
Timings:
Birmingham term time: Open Wednesday – Sunday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Birmingham school holidays: Open Monday – Sunday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Closest Bus Stop/Train Station:
Bus Stop: Coleshill Street (2-minute walk)
Train Station: Bordesley (8-minute walk)
13. Symphony Hall
Symphony Hall, located in the Centenary Square, is not only a concert venue but a testament to Birmingham’s creativity and innovation.
The majestic auditorium with its spectacular sound system is a favourite among eminent international musicians and home to the city’s own Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
As the venue hosts a show — jazz, rock concert, standup comedy, and more — almost every day, you can check out what’s playing when planning your visit.
Address: Broad St, Birmingham B1 2EA, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 121 780 3333
Website: https://bmusic.co.uk/your-visit/symphony-hall
Closest Bus Stop/Train Station:
Bus Stop: Art Gallery (Stop Es1) (3-minute walk)
Train Station: Birmingham New Street (7-minute walk)
14. Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park
The Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park, managed by the Birmingham City Council, is the ideal pitstop if you’re travelling with kids.
Located on the edge of Cannon Hill Park, this attraction houses various wild species, including reptiles, red pandas, lemurs, lynx, wallabies, and birds.
Address: Pershore Rd, Birmingham B5 7RL, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 121 472 5488
Website: https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/conservationpark
Timings:
From the first week of April – Monday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
From the last weekend of October – Monday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Closest Bus Stop/Train Station:
Bus Stop: Nature Centre (2-minute walk)
Train Station: University (20-minute walk)
15. Museum of the Jewellery Quarter
Ever wondered how jewellery is made?
You can find out by visiting Birmingham’s Museum of the Jewellery Quarter.
The quarter offers a guided tour around the Smith & Pepper jewellery manufacturing plant, showcasing classic jewellery-making techniques from the 20th century.
Besides trying some handy jewellery-making, spare time to visit the museum’s self-led galleries, such as the ‘Story of the Jewellery Quarter’ and ‘Earth’s Riches’.
Address: 75-80 Vyse St, Birmingham B18 6HA, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 121 348 8140
Website: https://www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/jewellery
Closest Bus Stop/Train Station:
Bus Stop: Jewellery Quarter Station (3-minute walk)
Train Station: Birmingham Snow Hill (7-minute walk)
16. Shakespeare Express
The steam train is a proud mascot of Britain’s industrial revolution, and with just a few steam engines operating today, you cannot miss a trip aboard the Shakespeare Express.
Sit back and relax as the train takes you from the heart of Birmingham to Stratford On Avon, crossing charming farmlands, contemporary villages, and remarkable waterways.
You can relish all the frills of a full English breakfast, perfectly brewed high tea, or a delicious roast dinner as you enjoy the joyride.
Address: Vintage Trains Ltd., 670 Warwick Rd, Tyseley, Birmingham B11 2HL, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 121 708 4960
Website: https://vintagetrains.co.uk/shakespeare-express/
Closest Bus Stop/Train Station:
Bus Stop: Warwick Road Tyseley Lane (10-minute walk)
Train Station: Small Heath (33-minute walk)
17. Sheldon Country Park
Spanning 300 acres of open grasslands, old hedgerows, mature woodlands, and wetlands, the Sheldon Country Park is a walker’s paradise.
You’ll see the fully restored 17th-century Old Rectory dairy farm displaying traditional farming methods on entering the park. Besides catching a glimpse of livestock like Jersey cattle, goats, and ponies, you can also spend some fun time playing with chicks and ducklings.
Address: Ragley Dr, Church Rd, Birmingham B26 3TU, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 121 742 0226
Website: https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/sheldonpark
Timings: The train runs from Birmingham and Tyseley to Stratford upon Avon on Sundays
Closest Bus Stop/Train Station:
Bus Stop: Marston Green (2-minute walk)
Train Station: Birmingham International (40-minute walk)
18. Barber Institute of Fine Arts
Designed by Robert Atkinson and opened in 1939 by Queen Mary, the Barber Institute of Fine Arts is a haven for art and architecture lovers.
The institute houses a central music auditorium and an art gallery with world-class exhibits from painters like Claude Monet and Frans Hals. And if you’re a history buff, don’t miss the museum’s other classic exhibits, including treasures from ancient Egypt and Rome.
Another thing you can do here is to visit the heritage Winterbourne House, located less than one mile from this venue.
Address: University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TS, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 121 414 7333
Website: https://barber.org.uk/
Timings: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, closed on Mondays and bank holidays
Closest Bus Stop/Train Station:
Bus Stop: King Edwards High School (2-minute walk)
Train Station: Birmingham Snow Hill (22-minute walk)
19. Birmingham Hippodrome
Known as ‘one of the best theatres in the land,’ the Birmingham Hippodrome is the perfect complement to the city’s creative spirit.
The celebrated venue hosts several genres of shows, ranging from opera and ballet to pantomime and stand-up comedy. It’s worthwhile to catch a show at the attraction and treat your family to the delicacies at the Hippodrome’s top-rated restaurant.
Address: Hurst St, Southside, Birmingham B5 4TB, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 844 338 5000
Website: https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/
Timings: Ticket sales on Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Closest Bus Stop/Train Station:
Bus Stop: O2 Academy (Stop Hf1) (3-minute walk)
Train Station: Birmingham New Street (3-minute walk)
20. Mac Theatre
First opened in 1962, the Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) stands on the edge of Birmingham’s Cannon Hill Park. Over a million people visit the centre every year, making it one of the most dedicated art sites in the Midlands.
The venues to visit at the MAC are the cinema, gallery, and two theatres.
While at the theatre, you can watch lively stage performances, catch an independent movie screening, or engage in hands-on, creative workshops.
Address: Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham B12 9QH, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 121 446 3232
Website: https://macbirmingham.co.uk/
Timings: Open daily 9:00 am – 9.45 pm
Closest Bus Stop/Train Station:
Bus Stop: Midlands Arts Centre (5-minute walk)
Train Station: Birmingham New Street (8-minute walk)
10 Other Birmingham Attractions to Visit
Besides the attractions mentioned above, some other worthy places you should check out while visiting Birmingham are:
- West Midlands Safari Park: With over 165 species of exotic animals, this safari park promises you a wildlife experience like nothing before.
- Bear Grylls Adventure: From archery and high ropes to escape rooms and shark diving, the Bear Grylls Adventure Centre is a must-visit for any adventurer.
- Broad Street: At Broad Street, a busy thoroughfare and nightspot in Central Birmingham, you can walk down the iconic ‘Walk of Stars’ just like Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.
- Lickey Hills Country Park: Spanning 524 acres, the Lickey Hills Country Park includes a range of habitats for nature enthusiasts like grassland, heathland, and woodlands.
- Grand Central Shopping Centre: With a range of fashion boutiques, family stores, and restaurants, the Grand Central is the dream destination for all your shopping needs.
- Edgbaston Cricket Ground: The landmark Edgbaston Cricket Ground has hosted prominent games, including the 2019 World Cup, and is a haven for most cricket lovers.
- Legoland Discovery Centre Birmingham: Featuring exciting rides, a 4D cinema, and a build and test zone, Legoland Discovery Centre Birmingham is the perfect indoor playground for kids.
- Drayton Manor Theme Park: Covering 180 acres, the Drayton Manor Theme Park is a fun family theme park and zoo that houses exotic animals, including red pandas.
- Cadbury World: Besides unravelling the secrets of the brand’s confectioners, a visit to Cadbury World presents the unique opportunity to experience virtual chocolate rain.
- Winterbourne House and Garden: With its dazzling Edwardian architecture, stunning antique displays, and expansive gardens, the Winterbourne House is a must-visit attraction.