Things to do in Birmingham, UK

Prepare for an underwater realm full to the brim with glittering scales, humongous tentacles, and razor-sharp teeth. Marvel at the cheeky antics of the Gentoo penguins before meeting a crab or starfish at the Interactive Rockpool. Discover the majestic jellyfish, be brave and take a peek at the piranhas and feel part of the story in the 4D Cinema. Venture into an underwater realm like no other and get face-to-fin with some of the strangest creatures you’ll ever meet in the UK’s only 360° Ocean Tunnel, home to sharks, rays and a giant green sea turtle!

Only minutes from Birmingham city center, Winterbourne House is a unique heritage attraction set within beautiful botanic gardens. Find yourself in a 7-acre oasis home to over 6000 different plant species, and enjoy a peaceful stroll in tranquil surroundings. Inside, escape the modern world as you explore period rooms filled with antiques and Edwardian era soft furnishings. Learn about the families that lived here and how Winterbourne came to be part of the University of Birmingham.

Find out how Birmingham grew from a small market town to the second largest city in the country on this guided walking tour of the city center. Gain authentic insights into modern life in the city and explore some hidden gems along the way. Meet your guide amid the lush greenery in Cathedral Square where you can admire the English Baroque architecture of St Philip’s Cathedral. Continue down Broad Street which is popular for it's vibrant nightlife.  Listen as your guide tells you about Birmingham’s boom during the industrial revolution. Hear the story of its iconic canals and about how it is the home of Cadbury chocolate. Make your way to Centenary Square where you can admire the fountains. Stoll past the modern Symphony Hall and head to Victoria Square in the center of the city. View the Town Hall and the Council House. Finish your tour at the 19th-century Ikon Gallery. 

Start at the modern Library of Birmingham in the brand new Centenary Square. The public art of the Square gives some early clues on the history of this central birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. Buildings all around help you understand the depth of arts and commerce that Birmingham overflows with today. Heading through the International Convention Centre, appreciate the modern Symphony Hall known as one of the finest concert hall acoustics to experience in the world today. Discover why the opening of James Brindley’s canal into the town in the 1770s was hugely important to the development of Birmingham. Experience these rejuvenated waterways and see the many new uses that they have been put to. Moving through Brindleyplace see the huge efforts of the Victorians in working to make the burgeoning town into a model for others to follow. This was the home of the Civic Gospel with the Municipal Revolution seeing efforts to educate, bring clean water to the town and clear poor quality housing. Modern architecture is all around and the walk through the city squares gives an appreciation of the way old and new has been integrated into the modern city.

You are invited to discover the haunted Birmingham with an interactive city exploration app. You will be guided step-by-step to the cursed buildings where they carry out their eternal punishments while you learn all of their stories. Brace yourself and come explore Haunted Birmingham, all with the help of your smartphone. Each clue will lead you from one place to another, giving you exact directions, so you won’t need a map, a GPS or a guide. When you solve it and guess the answer, the secret story of that place is unlocked. Along the way, you’ll find horror stories that will give you the chills. Dare you go on this tour? Complete the tour at your own pace as there's no time limit, though around two hours is normally enough. Pause the game at any time, and restart whenever you want from the last place you visited. For larger groups, one person can purchase access for the entire group by selecting the number of people in the group. All group members will be able to play the city game on their smartphone. Alternatively, each person can purchase their own ticket. You can play as a group and solve the clues together as you walk, or you can split into smaller groups/teams and compete against the others. Each person can also play on their own, separate from the group, and meet the group at the end.

Understand how Birmingham developed and see that many of today’s ways of working have deep roots in our past. Explore the canal system and learn the origins of the original canal. Wander through the ‘secret canal’ to the Jewellery Quarter, which developed as a key home of Birmingham’s Industrial Revolution starting in Georgian times. Continuing on to Victorian times, your walk vividly demonstrates how innovative inventors and entrepreneurs seized the moment. Ideas were turned into large-scale factory productions in amazingly short time periods.  You'll experience today’s Quarter and learn about its role in the modern city.   The post-war redevelopment of Birmingham and the serious issues that it has caused are vividly demonstrated. The way the city is rejuvenating itself to become a modern world city is clear for all to see. Back in the city center, St. Philip’s Cathedral offers amazing English Baroque architecture. The churchyard hides some of the many difficult issues the town grappled with, as it became the ‘workshop of the world.’

Embark on a self-guided treasure hunt while you explore the streets of Birmingham with this weblink-based smartphone game. Enjoy a screen layout that is easy-to-use, as it is similar to other major apps. Be led by interesting characters, a treasure map, and your own sense of adventure. Meet facinating characters like Captain Bess, a snarky pirate that is testing out new recruits to join her ship. Follow the directions that Bess gives you on a carefully designed route through the city. Start at the School of Art and stroll along the peaceful canal side of the Georgian Jewellery Quarter and through the grand business district. Learn some interesting facts and stories along the way about the city's attractions and get a better understanding of the history of the area. Use the treasure map to get to each location. Try to decipher the clues with your friends or complete the challenge on your own. Spot things you’d never normally notice as you search high and low for the answer. Ask for hints if you get stuck.

Explore the Jewellery Quarter of central Birmingham on a guided walking tour. Admire the facades of the many workshops that retain their 19th-century appearance as you learn about the fascinating history of the area. Hear about the changing fortunes of the area, and how it has developed and thrived throughout the centuries. Keep an eye out for cast iron letter boxes and street signs and other examples of Birmingham’s metalworking heritage. Discover the importance of the area, both past, and present. See The Coffin Works and the world's largest Assay Office during the tour.

Enjoy a safe and reliable private airport transfer between BHX and your accommodation in Birmingham. Whether you're travelling in a large group or have extra luggage, choose the service that works for you. Save yourself having to carry heavy bags and navigating the public transportation system and take comfort knowing that all vehicles are regularly maintained to high-quality standards. Be greeted by your driver who will be waiting for you at the arrival hall, or agreed meeting point, with a sign displaying your name. Your driver will track your flight so you won't have to worry about flight delays.