Things to do in  Birmingham

With more than 1,000 machines from 170 manufacturers, the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham has the world’s largest collection of British motorcycles. Visitors can gain insight into British engineering, learn about the vehicle’s history, and see motorcycles from classic models to 21st-century superbikes up close.

The perfect destination for chocolate lovers, Cadbury World offers a behind-the-scenes look at the making of one of Britain’s most famous chocolate brands: Cadbury. Located on the site of the original Cadbury factory in Bournville, it’s a fun family attraction with interactive exhibits and chocolate-making demonstrations.

Inhabitants at the National Sea Life Centre range from penguins and otters to piranhas and jellyfish, displayed in antarctic pools and rain forest habitats. At the dynamic center, viewers can learn about marine life from around the globe in a series of exhibits such as an underwater tunnel, tropical forest, and penguin enclosure.

LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Birmingham combines massive collections of LEGO® bricks with amusement park–style action to create the ultimate LEGO playground. At the park, designed for kids ages 3 to 10, families can enjoy LEGO-themed rides, explore a LEGO re-creation of Birmingham’s top attractions, and practice their skills in the build and test zone.

Birmingham’s historic Pen Museum celebrates the city’s instrumental role in expanding communication and literacy worldwide. Set in a 19th-century Renaissance-style factory that once manufactured the majority of the world’s pens, the museum offers educational exhibits and interactive workshops.

Just outside the city center, Winterbourne House and Garden is a natural oasis and time capsule of the Edwardian arts and crafts era. The restored home is filled with antiques and historic timepieces, and the surrounding 7-acre (3-hectare) botanical gardens contain more than 6,000 plant species from across the globe.

Brimming with interactive science and technology displays, Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum is home to everything from talking robots and steam engines to a planetarium and marine life gallery. The hands-on exhibits span four stories inside the Millennium Point building, and offer entertainment and education for visitors of all ages.

Part of the National Trust, the Birmingham Back to Backs are a collection of 19th-century working people’s houses packed snugly around a courtyard—the last surviving examples of their kind. The houses are designed to feel as if the residents are still living there, with fires smoldering in grates, and other domestic touches evoking bygone times.

One of central Birmingham’s most notable historic buildings, the Baskerville Building, was constructed nearly 100 years ago. Named for John Baskerville—the 18th-century printer and type designer whose house stood on site—the art deco Baskerville House is now a Grade II-listed architectural icon. With pride of place right on the central Centenary Square, it’s also steps from other top attractions.

With a history dating back to 1779, the Birmingham & Midland Institute has been dedicated to education and learning for centuries. Today, housed in a Grade II-listed building in Birmingham’s city center, the venue houses the BMI Library (home to more than 120,000 volumes) and hosts various exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and other cultural programming.

One of the UK’s most historically significant botanical gardens, this Birmingham destination has remained intact for nearly 100 years. Spanning 15 acres (6 hectares) and home to more than 10,000 plants spread across a range of micro-climates, the Grade II*-listed landmark is one of the city’s loveliest green spaces, ideal for family outings and contemplative solo walks alike.

Also known as the Cathedral Church of St. Philip, the Birmingham Cathedral is the oldest building in central Birmingham still used for its original purpose. The seat of the Bishop of Birmingham, the cathedral (the third-smallest in the country) was built in the Italianate style 300 years ago. Today, its architecture, stained-glass windows, and expansive grounds are all notable features.

One of Birmingham’s most popular markets—and a must if you’re a shopper who loves hunting for bargains—is the Birmingham Rag Market, right in the city center. Also known as the Bull Ring Rag Market or St. Martin’s Rag Market, the vast indoor space houses some 350 vendors, and specializes in clothing, fabrics, homewares, and other items.

Lively with shops, restaurants, and attractions, Birmingham’s Brindleyplace development offers plenty of ways to spend a day or night out. Situated in a historic warehouse district that overlooks the city’s canal network, it attracts some 4 million visitors each year, making it one of the city’s most popular areas.

Spectacular from the outside and a premier music venue on the inside, Birmingham Town Hall is a Grade I–listed building in the city center. This historic building was inspired by Roman temples and over the years has hosted musical greats, including Nina Simone and The Beatles. Today, you can see concerts and special events throughout the year.