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.
In the heart of Birmingham, just next to the sprawling International Convention Centre, Centenary Square is a key central meeting point and a popular spot among visitors and residents alike. Highlights include the Hall of Memory memorial and the massive Library of Birmingham, as well as a seasonal ice rink.
A Grade II–listed church in Birmingham, St. Martin in the Bull Ring is known for its Gothic Victorian architecture and its magnificent stained glass windows, including a standout piece by William Morris from 1875, which survived WWII bombings. The church serves as a peaceful retreat to come for worship, as well as a standout architectural gem in the city center.
St. Chad’s Cathedral in Birmingham is famed for being one of the first Catholic cathedrals to be erected in the UK, dating all the way back to 1841. Visitors flock here to see its impressive neo-Gothic architecture, in particular its beautiful ceiling and stained glass windows.
In the heart of Centenary Square, the Hall of Memory is a stately war memorial devoted to the thousands of Birmingham residents who died in World War I. This Portland stone structure is notable for its art deco architecture and features four bronze statues by celebrated artist Albert Toft.
Birmingham’s West Midlands Police Museum provides an educational and entertaining insight into local policing history through interactive exhibits. Dress up in police uniforms, enter a forensics lab, and see what life was like for inmates in the Victorian-era cell block, operational until 2016. Fans of Peaky Blinders will especially enjoy seeing where the characters may have ended up.
Birmingham’s Gun Quarter was once a global hub for gun manufacturing, producing sporting and military firearms as far back as the early 17th century. Though its industrial roots have now faded, the area still attracts history enthusiasts who come to learn about its gun-making origins. A handful of gun-related shops are also still open—mostly producing air guns—such as Westley Richards.
Sandwiched between some of Birmingham’s most impressive buildings, including the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and the Birmingham Town Hall, Chamberlain Square is among the city's main public plazas. It's a good place to linger and people-watch, though many people just zip through quickly, stopping only to take a photo of the Gothic-style Chamberlain Memorial.
Located at the heart of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, St. Paul’s Square is famed for being one of the city’s very last remaining Georgian squares. Taking its name from the small church that sits as its center, visitors come here to relax on its benches, check out the architecture, or visit nearby restaurants and cafés.
Spread out over 63 acres (25 hectares), Handsworth Park is a popular place for Birmingham residents and visitors looking to get out in nature without having to leave town. Along with its grassy expanses, flower beds, and trees, the park has a network of walking paths and two play areas for kids.
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.
Famed for its tribute to Birmingham-born comedian Tony Hancock and murals that tell the story of the city’s history, Old Square offers space for a relaxing break. With benches, greenery, and interesting sculptures, it’s not only one of the city’s oldest squares, but also a gateway to the Steelhouse Conservation Area.
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.
