Things to do in Birmingham

1. See the inspiration for ‘The Lord of the Rings’ at Moseley Bog: One of the must do things in Birmingham is visiting the Moseley Bog, a place which inspired The Lord of the Rings. This local nature reserve is located on the outer fringes of Birmingham, on the site of an old millpond, and is home to a wide array of plants, animals, as well as insect species.

Don’t forget to book a JRR Tolkien-themed tour at the Sarehole Mill here. The author of The Lord of the Rings is said to have grown up around Moseley Bog in the 1890s, and had taken Safehold inspiration for Hobbits Shire from this reserve.

Location: Yardley Wood Road, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 9JX, United Kingdom

2. Visit Symphony Hall: When thinking of what to do in Birmingham, pay a visit to Symphony Hall, an opulent concert hall which is also the home of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. This majestic venue first opened its doors in the year 1991, and has since been the host of hundreds of concerts, music shows and other programmes. It is also considered to have the 7th best concert hall acoustics in the whole world. Among its main attractions includes the festive programmes in December, especially during Christmas, when the hall gets illuminated by candlelight while visitors sing carols here. 

Location: Broad Street, Birmingham, B1 2EA, United Kingdom

3. Explore National Motorcycle Museum: Another one of the top Things to do in Birmingham is to explore the famous National Motorcycle Museum, which houses the largest collection of British motorcycles in the entire world. This Bickenhill museum is a haven for all motorcycle lovers, since it boasts of having more than 1000 different types of this vehicle on display, some of which date back to as early as the 1800s.The museum is also the home of the world-famous 1898 Beeston Humber Tricycle, in addition to other modern superbikes.

Location: Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull B92 0EJ, United Kingdom

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4. Take a visit to National Sea Life Centre: One of the must do things in Birmingham is to pay a visit to the National Sea Life Centre, and get a chance to see many different exhibits of marine animals. Home to more than 60 different marine life exhibits, the National Sea Life Centre also boasts of having over 2000 animals from across the world, from corals and penguins, to giant sea turtles, fish species and more.

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Location: 3 Brindley Place, The Water’s Edge, Birmingham B1 2HL, United Kingdom

5. See tropical plants, birds and butterflies at the Botanical Gardens: Of all the Things to do in Birmingham, visiting the Botanical Gardens to see tropical plants, birds and butterflies should also be on your list. Dating back to the 19th century, the garden sprawls across 15 acres, and boasts of a beautiful collection of bonsai trees.

It is also the abode of many tropical as well as migratory birds which you can catch sights of. In addition to more than 7000 types of plants, flowering plants and trees in the garden, you can also see various butterfly species here, from places like the Philippines, Central America as well as tropical parts of Africa.

Location: Westbourne Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 3TR, United Kingdom

6. Eat at Raja Monkey: One of the best Things to do in Birmingham is to head to the famous Raja Monkey restaurant for a meal. Considered to be one of the best Indian restaurants in the city, specialising in South Indian cuisine, and exuding a canteen-like vibe, Raja Monkey also offers you a typical Indian curry house experience.

From thalis and street food specialities like dosa, uttapam, and pav bhaji, to their signature dishes like Bengali roast, oxtail laal maans, Keralan seafood broth and beef biryani, the food here is sure to make your tastebuds dance.

Location: 1355 Stratford Road, Hall Green, Opp. Waitrose, Birmingham B28 9HW, United Kingdom

1. See the makings of Harry Potter at Warner Bros Studio: One of the must do things in Birmingham for couples is to visit the Warner Bros Studio and retrace the footsteps of Harry Potter. It is here where you and your partner can discover Harry’s world of magic, as you board the Hogwarts Express, stroll down Diagon Alley, or take a look into the Cupboard under the Stairs. You can also visit the film sets and see the actual costumes and props that were used in the films.

2. Indulge in a romantic boat ride in the canal: When in Birmingham, hop onto a narrowboat and enjoy a romantic ride in the canal. The city has many canals, from where you can enjoy gorgeous sunsets and panoramic sceneries as you cruise along the calm waters with your significant other.

3. Unwind at the Winterbourne House & Garden: For a more romantic experience, you can visit the unique Winterbourne House and Garden, which dates back to the Edwardian eras, and soak in verdant views of beautiful antiques and more than 6000 plant and flower species. You can also unwind here by walking through the woodland walk, the hazelnut tunnel or the 1930’s Japanese bridge.

4. Take a stroll in Sutton Park: Taking a romantic stroll in the quaint English countryside is a dream, and there is no better place than Sutton Park in Birmingham to make those dreams come true. Amongst the largest urban parks in Europe, Sutton Park boasts of ancient woodlands, heathlands, wetlands as well as marshes, in addition to many different species of flora and fauna, lakes, play areas and more.

1. Hiking: When thinking of what to do in Birmingham, add a hiking adventure to your itinerary. Home to many forested regions, parks as well as rolling hills, Birmingham boasts of several nature, biking as well as flat walking trails where you can take a hike.

2. Ziplining: The forests and natural reserves in Birmingham are known for their rich and vast canopy, and serve as some of the perfect spots to try a ziplining adventure. Out of all the spots in the city, the Beanstalk Forest in the Red Mountain Park is one of the best to go ziplining over the lush green forest canopy.

3. Camping: Camping is amongst the best adventure things to do in Birmingham, since the city has many available campsites. Surrounded by canals, nature trails, gardens and more, a camping experience in Birmingham also gives you an opportunity to enjoy nature at its best, while catching sights of the starry night sky. 

4. Kayaking: Boasting of more canals than Venice, Birmingham is a perfect place to enjoy kayaking in the calm waters. From cruising past famous landmarks and gardens, to catching sights of museums, galleries, restaurants and more, a kayak tour in Birmingham is a must.

Read More: Things To Do In Birmingham With Kids