Birmingham

The UK's second-largest city, Birmingham is a major hub of culture, commerce, and industrial heritage with world-class museums, galleries, and shopping. It offers everything from the Bullring shopping centre to the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, plus excellent dining and nightlife.

Things to do

• Bullring Shopping Centre — A sprawling modern shopping destination featuring over 150 brands, restaurants, and the iconic Selfridges building with its distinctive aluminium exterior.
• Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery — Houses one of the world's finest Pre-Raphaelite collections alongside Egyptian mummies, fine art, and decorative arts in a grand Victorian building.
• Cadbury World — A chocolate lover's paradise in nearby Bournville where you can learn the history of Cadbury, see chocolate-making demonstrations, and sample treats.
• Barber Institute of Fine Arts — A hidden gem university art museum featuring masterworks by Rubens, Monet, and Van Gogh in an intimate, free-admission setting.
• Canal Network Walks — Birmingham has more canal miles than Venice; peaceful towpath walks connect historic locks, Victorian bridges, and waterside pubs throughout the city.
• Jewellery Quarter — A historic district packed with independent jewellers, vintage shops, galleries, and the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter showcasing the area's 300-year heritage.

Food to try

• Balti Curry — Birmingham's signature curry served in a steel dish with meat, vegetables, and spices; the Balti Triangle area (Sparkbrook and Balsall Heath) has dozens of authentic restaurants.
• Birmingham Bread Cake — A traditional soft, crusty white roll with a distinctive shape, typically filled with bacon or eaten with breakfast; a local staple since the 18th century.
• Faggots and Peas — A traditional working-class British dish of pork offal meatballs in gravy served with mushy peas, still found in historic pubs and traditional cafes.
• Cadbury Chocolate — Visit confectioners and shops selling iconic local brands like Cadbury's Dairy Milk and Bournville chocolate, with tasting experiences throughout the city.
• Sunday Roast — Birmingham's gastropubs and traditional inns serve excellent roast dinners with Yorkshire puddings; visit places like The Edgbaston or The Woodman for quality versions.

Local customs & good to know

• Embrace the Balti Triangle — The city's Balti culture is distinctive and celebrated; dining in the Sparkbrook or Balsall Heath areas on a Friday or Saturday night is a quintessential Birmingham social experience.
• Allow time for canals — Unlike London, Birmingham's canal network is less crowded and integral to local life; locals genuinely use towpaths for commuting and leisure, not just tourists.
• Respect industrial heritage — Birmingham's identity is rooted in Victorian manufacturing and metalwork; attractions celebrating this heritage reflect deep local pride in the city's working-class history.
• Use the tram system — The Midland Metro tram is efficient and locals rely on it; it connects key attractions and is cheaper than driving, showing respect for the city's transport-oriented design.