Unmissable Recommendations
Do you have a gap to fill in your conference schedule? Staying overnight or extending your stay in Birmingham? These are some of the locations, landmarks and attractions we recommend you should experience before you leave. (All links will take you to our leisure site visitbirmingham.com).
If you’re looking for somewhere to eat, take a look at our recommendations here.
Sightseeing and attractions
One of the best ways to experience Birmingham is to simply take a stroll around; for its size you will discover it is a very compact city in terms of points of interest. We recommend you should definately make your way to Brindleyplace, which is the best showcase of Birmingham's canalside. Tree-lined squares, a selection of bars and eateries and of course being waterside, makes Brindleyplace one of Birmingham’s most charming destinations. If you would like to have more insight into the history of the city, there are a number of walking tours you can book on to including a fascinating experience of Birmingham's infamous Peaky Blinders.
There are some fantastic attractions in Birmingham. We've got world-class museums and galleries to explore and rewarding culture and heritage to discover.
How about a visit to our own chocolate factory, Cadbury World, where the world-famous chocolate is made, a thrilling adventure in a Land Rover off-road driving experience or a visit to the Black Country Living Museum, one of the filming locations for Birmingham based Peaky Blinders?
Digbeth is a creative quarter situated in the southern area of the city – it has previously been named the 'Coolest Neighbourhood in Britain' by the Sunday Times. Home to artists and designers and soon a new film studio, Digbeth’s primary hub and meeting place is called The Custard Factory and houses independent shops, bars, eateries and other attractions such as retro gaming, indoor golfing and independent cinema.
If your conference or event is at the National Exhibition Centre Campus, thrill-seekers can go off grid with archery, climbing, escape rooms and more at The Bear Grylls Adventure and tech-savvy visitors explore virtual reality games at MeetspaceVR.
Sport
We are a city that loves sport – here you’ll discover world class sporting venues with everything from athletics to football, snooker, badminton, rugby and plenty more being played to an incredible standard. Join a game of golf on the famous Belfry course, take a tour of the city’s oldest international sports venue, Edgbaston Stadium or Villa Park, the home ground of Aston Villa Football Club, and one of the oldest and most famous stadiums in Europe.
Art, theatre and music
Birmingham Hippodrome, hosts an impressive range of musicals, ballet, opera, comedy, dance and more. The Alexandra, a beautiful Edwardian auditorium, is a favourite among touring acts. Birmingham Repertory Theatre (The REP) is known for innovative shows in and countless smaller theatres and venues across the city such as the Midlands Arts Centre boast regular evenings of live music and comedy.
Birmingham Town Hall is home to wide ranging gigs, and a host of independent venues keep our distinctive sound flowing through the city, plus there’s plenty for fans of more classical compositions too. Symphony Hall, is widely considered one of the finest in the world; if they are playing during your stay you shouldn't miss the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra who regularly wow audiences with world-class classical performances.
You will discover a host of galleries in the city centre, along, with fascinating street art around every corner. Explore the Ikon for contemporary art and a memorable experience in the famous singing lift, designed by Turner Prize-winner Martin Creed. See the city’s splendour on full display at the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, or feast your eyes on the pre-Raphaelite masterpieces on display in Birmingham’s Museum & Art Gallery. Tours of its 40 galleries take visitors through a lifetime of visual delights.
The ten-level Library of Birmingham is sited in the city centre in Centenary Square and along with The REP and Symphony Hall, forms a cultural heart for the city. There are two outdoor garden terraces and a panoramic viewing gallery at the summit, where visitors are able to enjoy stunning views from one of the highest points in the city.
History and Heritage
With a deep and rich history, Birmingham is incredibly proud of its industrial heritage. There are plenty of museums around the city, including the Newman Brothers interactive museum at the Coffin Works, right in the heart of the Birmingham’s most creative community. Explore endless historic waterways, explore the life of Birmingham industrialist, Matthew Boulton at Soho House or travel back in time at the Back to Backs to see how ordinary people lived at the height of the Industrial Revolution.
Green spaces
Birmingham is one of the greenest cities in Europe and home to 571 parks. These aren’t your average city parks, an impressive 15 have been awarded Green Flag status for their quality and some of our largest, like Sutton Park, are national nature reserves where delegates can easily while away a day. The Birmingham Botanical Gardens and its stunning Butterfly House will wow visitors with a taste of the tropics right here in the West Midlands, while the incredible parkland of Aston Hall transports visitors back to the 17th century.
Shopping
Home to all the brands you know and love, as well as a thriving independent shopping scene, there’s endless opportunity to shop in Birmingham. Delegates can explore over 200 stores such as Selfridges with ease in Birmingham’s iconic Bullring & Grand Central, or head to the Mailbox for something special in Harvey Nichols.
Alternatively, there is a buzzing creative district to explore in the Custard Factory or the renowned Jewellery Quarter. Here, over 100 retailers, diamond dealers, and workshops all ply their trade side by side, producing 40% of British jewellery.
The Jewellery Quarter dates back over 200 years and is a Conservation Area with over 200 listed buildings. At the centre of the Jewellery Quarter shopping area stands the Quarter’s Chamberlain clock, and a short walk from this landmark takes you to the Jewellery Quarter’s historic, Key Hill and Warstone Lane Cemeteries. Many of Birmingham’s famous statesmen and inventors are buried here ranging from Harry Gem, the inventor of Lawn Tennis, to Alfred Bird, Birmingham’s ‘Mr Custard’.
I’ve only got an hour or so to fill!
A conference itinerary can often leave you with smaller gaps to fill – if you don’t have the luxury of time, but want to experience some of Birmingham’s best bits– here’s our selection from the list above that are centrally located and also which you can explore at your own pace.
1. Enjoy the scenary at Birmingham’s Canalside at Brindleyplace
2. Get a great view atop the Library of Birmingham
3. Pick up something unique at The Jewellery Quarter
4. See some contemporary art at Ikon Gallery
5. Do some shopping in the iconic Bullring and Grand Central
6. See some local treasures at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery *
• Currently shut for renovations
I have plenty of time in my schedule
If time isn't a factor and you have plenty of time to explore Birmingham (and a little further out the immediate centre) , these are the top recommendations from the places mentioned above...
1. Take in a pitch perfect performance at Symphony Hall
2. Enjoy an evening at The Custard Factory
3. Learn about an iconic brand at Cadbury World
4. See something independent at Midlands Arts Centre
5. See a masterpiece at Barber Institute of Fine Arts