Birmingham
- Jenni Donts
- Jul 29, 2018
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 8, 2018
A cultural hub in the middle of England. Come and visit the creative, foodie and friendly second city!
Gone are the days of run down Birmingham; it has the largest economy in the UK, outside of London making it one of the fastest growing economies in the UK. From shopping to exploring we'll give you the rundown of things to do and places to see in this cultural capital.
“Top Tip: The local trams, busses and trains offer great transport links so don't be afraid to travel out of the immediate city centre”
Places to eat and drink:
Eat:
Digbeth Dining Club or DDC for short is a bunch of street traders who rock up to DDC with their food and people are able to pick and choose from the traders. They have exclusive traders there and the traders vary from week to week. They have hosted the likes of Pietanic and The Gravy Train. I'd highly recommend coming here but it's only open Thursday - Friday 4-11pm or Saturday you can grab a bite of lunch with it being open from 1pm!
Located in the Mailbox district a short walk from the Bullring this informal dining and drinking restaurant is right up our street. Be it Brunch, Lunch or just a liquid meal they can cater for you with some truly spectacular food and urr, hangover cures!
With a family of female chefs at the helm, this eatery has built up it's name and brand from being a street food trader across tours in the UK as well as being a firm favourite at the Digbeth Dining Club. It serves authentic Indian street food alongside their signature cocktails. It's situated on Bennett's Hill a two minute walk from the train station.
Drinks:
This Grade II listed building is the most spectacular building to quaff a few drinks in. This bar is themed around a fictional Victorian explorer, Hettie G. Watson, so you'll find some props in-keeping with that era but fear not, the drinks are as interesting as Professor Hettie!
The Bureau up in Colmore Row just a few yards away from Lost and Found, is a housed in the original building of the Scottish Union and National Insurance Co. which was designed in 1902-4 by William Henman & Thomas Cooper. It too does spectacular cocktails with the bonus of a top floor terrace.
With a strong background in making great cocktails from botanical ingredients, the Botanist has created a unique cocktail menu with many recognisable cocktails with a twist.
Things to do:
These 15 acre Gardens were founded in 1829 by the Birmingham Botanical and Horticultural Society. It has three Glasshouses; one Tropical and a sub-tropical one as well as a terrace glasshouse which replaced a conservatory in 1884. It has stayed pretty much the same since then, except a new zoological attraction came to the gardens in 1995 - an Aviary. It's a 10 minute taxi ride out of the city centre and if you travel by train to Brum, you'll get 2for1 tickets if you show your train tickets - win-win
The museum opened in the city centre in 1885. It has over 40 galleries to view and it's famous for its Pre-Raphaelite paintings, which are part of the largest public Pre-Raphaelite collection in the world. The famous Staffordshire Hoard, the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found has its own dedicated gallery.
Cadbury World is situated a short 10 minute train ride away from the city centre in the renowned village of Bournville. Cadbury World will give you an overview of how they make your favourite chocolate and the best bit of all - the massive gift shop! Prices are a bit steep at £17 per adult and £13 per child but you can get 30% off if you travel to Brum by train.
Another walk-able attraction situated in the food capital of Brindley Place, near the Birmingham Arena, approximately 10/15 minute walk from New Street Station. Sealife has an amazing array of colourful fish which are sure to amaze people and they even have a small colony of Penguins! This is another attraction that is eligible for 2for1 entry so do remember to head to the site to print off your vouchers!
Thinktank Birmingham has many exhibits to teach your kids the science behind many technologies - from the design and implementation of the Spitfire to the Planetarium teaching you about the Cosmos! This qualifies for 2for1 (£13.50 per adult or £9.75 per child).
Aston Hall was built between 1618 and 1635 for local land owner, Sir Thomas Holte. It is a magnificent Jacobean red-brick mansion situated in a picturesque public park. It's £8 per adult and £3 per child but it's free if you just want to wander the gardens. It's a 10 minute walk from Witton Station but you'll find taxis waiting outside the station normally.
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