A plan for Birmingham

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.

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, bmag_enquiries@birmingham.gov.uk. 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)

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), cs.boxoffice@necgroup.co.uk. 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), cs.boxoffice@necgroup.co.uk. 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, info@theicc.co.uk. 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), boxoffice@thsh.co.uk. 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)

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.

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 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)

2 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)

3 The Chicken Hut, 201 Corporation St. Fire food, try the supreme burger. A chicken steak burger for £2 (April 2021). (updated Feb 2023)

4 Caspian Pizza, 187 Corporation St. Lovely vegetarian panini. The seating is comfortable and the overall decor is nice. (updated Feb 2023)

5 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)

6 Baguettes 4 Less, 108 Corporation St. Nice baguettes. The jacket potatoes are good quality, well filled and piping hot. (updated Nov 2022)

7 Edwardian Tea Rooms, Chamberlain Square (inside Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery), ☏ +44 121 303-2834. Mon-Thu Sat 10AM-5PM, Fri 10:30AM-5PM, Sun 12:30PM-5PM. Authentic Edwardian cafe. The food is a lot better than the price suggests.

Pubs

Birmingham is home to many historic pubs. If you are a real ale aficionado, there are several excellent pubs to visit offering a wide selection of cask ales (bitters, milds, India Pale Ales, etc) and stouts. Gin and tonics and ciders are also widely available. 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 Temple Row West, B2 5NY (Faces St. Philips cathedral), ☏ +44 121 200-1892. Superbly decorated pub in a Grade II listed former bank. Sells mainly Fullers' beers.

9 Old Royal, 53 Church St,B3 2DP, ☏ +44 121 200-3841. Single bar with large-screen TV. The pub is popular with office workers.

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.

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.

As with the rest of the UK, in any emergency call 999 or 112 (from a landline if you can) and ask for ambulance, fire or police when connected. For non-emergency police matters, such as reporting crimes after they have occurred, lost property, etc.) call 101.

In general, despite its bad reputation, Birmingham is a safe city. However, like most large cities, there are safer and more dangerous areas. Certain suburbs (see below) have had their share of knife crime problems, but these are extremely unlikely to affect you unless you make yourself part of the larger drug gang problem. Avoid any offers of cheap drugs as you might be lured into a secluded place and then robbed.

Muggers in Birmingham tend to operate in groups of two or three, typically one will ask you a question (to judge whether you are local or likely to hit back) while the others move in behind you so they can force you to the ground. If you find this happening to you, then move to the side, so you have a clear escape path and cannot be grabbed from the rear. When late at night and walking alone, avoid walking up against walls as it's easier to be cornered.

The city centre is well-policed. The only trouble you might witness is a small scuffle on the Broad Street nightlife quarter as the nightclubs turn out in the early hours of the morning. However, take care at either end of Broad Street where the traffic flow speeds up.

It is advisable to stay away from the city centre when football matches between the city's two professional teams occur. Some fans of Aston Villa and Birmingham City have a violent and raw hatred for each other, and violent clashes between them are a common occurrence on match days. On other days, when the teams are playing at home against other teams, it is less likely for major violence to occur in the city centre, but you may encounter pubs full of chanting football supporters, and this may be intimidating (and really annoying) for tourists.