10 Reasons Why Everyone Should Visit Birmingham UK

Birmingham is one of the fastest growing cities in the country and visitor numbers are rapidly on the rise year-on-year. Below we’ve outlined 10 reasons why we think you should definitely visit Birmingham, including its world class venues and historical areas to explore.

Birmingham’s restaurants are pretty hard to beat

At the time of writing, Birmingham has 5 (five!) Michelin starred restaurants which is more than anywhere else outside of London. Simpsons in Edgbaston, Carters in Moseley, Turners in Harborne alongside Adam’s and Purnell’s in the city centre are all critically acclaimed and deserving of their stars. With other independent restaurants like The Wilderness and Original Patty Men receiving rave reviews from those who dine in them, you’re really spoilt for choice.

The epicentre of Birmingham’s canal network is a thing of beauty

Birmingham has some pretty good music venues…

Birmingham houses some wonderful independent music venues, from the likes of The Sunflower Lounge through to the Hare & Hounds and The Flapper. If it’s international acts you’re after, try the Barclaycard Arena, Town Hall & Symphony Hall and the Genting Arena, all of whom regularly host some of the world’s biggest stars.

And independent cinemas, too

The Electric Cinema is the oldest operating cinema in the UK and is just a stone’s throw away from New Street Station, so you can’t miss it. There’s also the mac Centre in Cannon Hill Park, or the new kid on the block, Mockingbird Cinema & Kitchen, who have found a home for themselves in the Custard Factory. All of these cinemas show both new films and classics, so there’s something for everyone.

Birmingham isn’t just all concrete buildings, either

Take an excursion away from the high-rise city centre to find some of Birmingham’s most beautiful green spaces, like Cannon Hill Park, Aston Hall, Winterbourne House and Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens; the latter a fully restored, Baroque garden with a tea room and plenty of activities for the family to get involved with.

New bars are popping up all of the time

Birmingham has seen a resurgence of new bar openings in recent times, with up-and-coming chains like Cosy Club and The Botanist making a home here, as well as The Button Factory in the Jewellery Quarter and independent bar Tilt, a pinball and craft beer haven nestled away in the city centre.

And it’s pretty great for shopping

Not only is there the Bullring, one of the biggest shopping centres in Europe, there is also the Mailbox – a fine dining and retail outlet beautifully restored in a former sorting office. If independent shopping is your thing, there’s Great Western Arcade & Piccadilly Arcade; two aesthetically stunning corridors of local, independent retailers ready to be explored.

There are plenty of museums and historical areas to explore

Birmingham’s a rather historical city and its raft of museums backs this up. Away from the main museum in Chamberlain Square, you could visit Ikon Gallery, or head south of the city to Moseley for a trip to Sarehole Mill – a 250 year old working watermill – and Moseley Bog, both famous for their association with acclaimed writer J.R.R. Tolkien. There’s even an entire museum dedicated to Birmingham’s 19th century pen trade!

And plenty of sports teams

Okay, so Birmingham might not have the most successful football teams, but when you take in to account the amount of sport the city has to offer, it’s up there with the best. Take Aston Villa and Birmingham City for example, the city’s two main football teams, both attracting tens of thousands of fans between them each week. Birmingham is also home to the world-famous Edgbaston Cricket Ground which regularly hosts international teams, with the 42,000 capacity Villa Park having a history of hosting international sporting events. Athletics and tennis are a focal point with the city welcoming some of the world’s best each year.

But overall, Brummies are just really inviting

Brummies (that’s Birmingham locals) are some of the friendliest you’re likely to meet in the UK. With self-deprecating humour, a tendency to hold doors open for others, and, can you believe it, friendliness on public transport, this city is home to a wonderful community who are proud of where they come from. Really, we could list a lot more than 10 reasons, so why not come and visit Birmingham to see for yourself!

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.