The Coolest Neighbourhoods in Birmingham, UK

Graffiti in in Digbeth, Birmingham, UK
Graffiti in in Digbeth, Birmingham, UK | Photo by Michael Cummins on Unsplash

Freelance Travel and Music Writer

Once famed for its industrial power, Birmingham is successfully becoming one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. With the regular introduction of innovative bars, restaurants and hangouts to complement their existing charms, these five areas blend culture and creativity to be the coolest neighbourhoods in the city.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

The Jewellery Quarter

Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham

Dating back over 250 years and home to more than 500 jewellery retailers, the Jewellery Quarter is a sparkling gem in the bustling city of Birmingham. Consistently leading the way with trendy bars, independent restaurants and creative spaces, the JQ, as it’s known locally, is home to a plethora of amenities. Take the Louisiana-style French bistro diner The Church for example; a delight with the locals, as is hidden gin emporium 40 St Pauls. The neighbourhood’s centrepiece, however, is St Paul’s Square – with its cathedral namesake housed within and streets lined with offices, music venues and pubs snaking around the edges – making the Jewellery Quarter the perfect place to work, rest and play.

Digbeth, Birmingham, UK

Just a stone’s throw away from the Bullring shopping centre is Digbeth, known locally as Birmingham’s creative district. Awash with arts and music venues, galleries and independent outlets, this area of Birmingham is home to the famous Custard Factory. What was once the original factory of Bird’s Custard is now a working space for digital and creative businesses and an independent retail complex for the likes of the Mockingbird Cinema and Kitchen. In addition, Digbeth proudly comes alive at night, thanks to its range of bars and pubs; from The Old Crown, Birmingham’s oldest inn dating back to 1368, to The Rainbow Venues, which boast 11 modern spaces ranging from a 150-capacity basement room to a railway arch outdoor arena housing 5000.

Moseley

Located just south of the city centre is Moseley, a leafy suburb which was recently voted the best place to live in Britain by The Sunday Times. Here you’ll find the likes of One Trick Pony Club and The Dark Horse, two independent bars which regularly host live music. Popular haunts for locals include Indian restaurant Kababish and the nearby, impressive Italian, Ponte di Legno, with the Prince of Wales pub ranking highly too. Though this typically Victorian village may seem hectic, a short walk takes you half a world away to the peaceful Moseley Park and Pool, where popular festivals Moseley Folk and Mostly Jazz are held in the summer.

King’s Heath

Relatively close to Moseley is King’s Heath, and in particular, York Road. Sitting at the tip of this lively street is the Hare & Hounds, one of Birmingham’s best independent music venues and the birthplace of local reggae band UB40. Across the road you’ll discover Kitchen Garden Café, a vegan cafeteria by day and music venue by night, and Fletchers, a quaint bar and eatery with classy cocktails. You’ll find the independent café-bar Cherry Reds here too, as well as Polar Bear Records. With regular farmers’ markets and an abundance of independent outlets, there’s so much more in King’s Heath, but you really could spend a day on York Road alone.

Harborne

The Plough public house in Harborne, Birmingham

While the Victorian suburb of Harborne is just three miles south of the city centre, it’s an area of Birmingham that manages to retain a village feel, mostly thanks to its array of pubs and country look. Harborne is renowned for its successful independent bars and eateries, like The Plough and local café Boo Boo Coffee – a recent winner of Intuit Quickbooks’ Small Business Big Success Competition. A short drive around the area reveals the character Harborne possesses – the disused railway line now a popular walking trail and its narrow streets lined with Victorian-era terraced houses.

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.

Culture Trip Spring Sale

Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.

X
close-ad
Edit article