10 Unique Gifts To Buy In Birmingham UK

Birmingham is packed with local delicacies and independent boutiques, so if you’re looking for a souvenir from your trip or simply want to some share memories of the city, here are 10 great gifts for you or a loved one to cherish.

Independent Birmingham card

Whether you’re visiting Birmingham, are a repeat visitor, or live in the city, an Independent Birmingham card should be one of the first purchases you make. Known as the key to the city, an IB card gives you discounts at an array of local independent restaurants, shops, and venues.

Birmingham: The Magic City print

Shop, Store

Ideal for those proud Brummies who want to show off their city in their own home, Grand Union are offering a unique ‘Birmingham: The Magic City’ risograph print in their store. The print shows off Birmingham’s skyline below a structure proclaiming its magic. It would look great framed on the wall.

‘Alright bab’ and ‘tara-a-bit’ necklaces

Featuring two of the most used Brummie phrases, these necklaces from local jewellery and accessory company Working Clasp are a quirky reminder of the city. The tara-a-bit and alright bab necklaces can either be purchased online or from popular Birmingham locations like Ikon Gallery and the Library of Birmingham.

Ikon Gallery, 1 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, Birmingham, UK, + 0121 248 0708

Library of Birmingham, Centenary Square, Broad Street, Birmingham, UK, + 0121 242 4242

Cadbury chocolate

Bar

No trip to Birmingham would be complete without a visit to Cadbury World, one of the world’s most famous brands. Cadbury has been in Bournville since the early 1900s, and a tour of the factory allows you to sample the local chocolate. Visit the attraction’s gift shop for some chocolate to take home with you too.

Birmingham facts tea towel

Thanks to local design company Dot Moth Studio, ardent Birmingham fans can take home a piece of the city’s heritage. These quirky Brum tea towels are packed with key facts about the city’s history, including famous monuments and writers. Pick up a tea towel from their online store or at a range of local arts institutions like the Library of Birmingham and Ikon Gallery.

Library of Birmingham, Centenary Square, Broad Street, Birmingham, UK, + 0121 248 0708

Ikon Gallery, 1 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, Birmingham, UK, + 0121 242 4242

Langleys No.8 gin

Restaurant

A truly local product, Langley’s No.8 gin is produced right in the heart of Birmingham at the city’s only distillery. Thanks to intricate infusions and their method of distilling the gin in small batches, master distillers are able to perfect the batch each time. Langley’s is on offer at a range of independent bars in Birmingham, or a bottle of Brum’s finest gin can be picked up at local shop Loki Wine.

Quarter Horse Coffee

Cafe

Quarter Horse Coffee is an independent coffee roaster based in Southside, Birmingham. Using a range of coffee beans from around the world, Quarter Horse roasts the finest beans to make the freshest coffee for its customers at its Bristol Street branch. Locally roasted coffee beans can be purchased directly from the store, or its website, along with subscription packages.

The Workshop Below

Shop, Store

The basement of their Bristol Street shop is where the magic happens for local lighting experts The Workshop Below. Step into a boutique full of wonderfully unique and charming lights – from bulbs and ceiling roses through to their signature jam jar lights in Kilner jugs. On their website, you can purchase existing lights or design your own, but make sure you pop into their store and check out their bespoke selection for yourself.

One Million Lovely Letters book

One Million Lovely Letters is the story of local poet Jodi-Ann Bickley, who writes handwritten letters for people who need a lift. With the help of her team, she’s now written thousands of letters and a book to go along with it. You can read the story of her heartwarming tale in the book, which can be purchased in a number of stores in the city like Foyles and Waterstones.

Brumhaus art

Brumhaus is the project of Birmingham-based artist Alexander Edwards and is influenced by the German modernist movement, Bauhaus. Alexander’s artwork features Birmingham’s iconic architecture to produce unique pieces of art. You can purchase prints, tote bags and pillow cases from his online store.

About the author

Richard Franks

Freelance Travel and Music Writer

Proudly born and bred in Birmingham, UK, Richard is passionate about all things travel and music. Having founded the regional online music magazine Counteract in early 2010, Richard has enjoyed a versatile writing career and writes for a number of publications, including The Telegraph, The Guardian, The Independent, Metro and others. If he's not travelling around Europe, you'll often find him supporting his football team, Aston Villa.