Bold, beautiful, and full of surprises: Discover Birmingham’s best spots

For people who have never visited the UK’s second city, it often has a reputation as a place of smoke, factories and grit. It’s an image that comes from Birmingham’s past as an industrial giant that was the workshop of the world. After World War II, the city rebuilt quickly, constructing buildings that were functional, rather than fashionable.

However, if you spend even a day here (and it’s easy enough, given how the central the city is!), that image quickly disappears.

Walk through the city centre, and you’ll see Victorian architecture side-by-side with striking, modern landmarks. Explore the surrounding neighbourhoods, and you’ll find vibrant communities and miles of nature that prove Birmingham has a place for everyone.

To really understand Birmingham, here are the spots that capture its spirit best.

Birmingham canals

Birmingham might not have a grand river like the Thames, but its famous canals more than make up for it. We have more miles of them than Venice, after all! These waterways lead you through the most exciting parts of the city. With colourful boats, waterside cafés, and quiet hidden spots, the canals are a photographer’s dream.

One of the best routes starts right at the University of Birmingham. It’s a one-hour walk which will take you past some of the city's oldest factories, right to its newest buildings. Gas Street Basin, a beautiful spot where the canals meet, is surrounded by great places to eat and fun things to do.

City centre

With connecting trains and coaches from all over the country, as well as its own airport, Birmingham is one of the most accessible cities in the UK.

At the heart of the action is the city centre, where everything you need for student life is just around the corner. From green spaces to buzzing nightlife, there’s something here for every occasion.

The Bullring, with its iconic Selfridges building, is a shopper’s paradise and the perfect place for some retail therapy. Alternatively, the famous Jewellery Quarter offers unique, handcrafted treasures and a glimpse into the city’s industrial roots.

If you prefer something completely different, take a short walk down to Digbeth, full of vintage shops, quirky bars, and superb street art.

Moseley and Kings Heath

Birmingham’s city centre is fast-moving and always changing. However, just a short trip away, the suburbs offer a calmer, friendly feel. Two of the most popular areas are Moseley and Kings Heath, which sit side-by-side south of the city. Students love these areas for the same reasons as the locals: the great community, independent shops, and local cafés.

There is always something happening here. In the summer, the Moseley Folk & Arts Festival takes over the park. Nearby, Kings Heath hosts "Queens Heath," a local LGBTQ+ celebration.

One of the biggest local attractions is Sarehole Mill. This beautiful spot was just one of many locations in Birmingham that inspired J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Middle-earth” from The Lord of the Rings. (The University of Birmingham’s famous Old Joe clock tower is another!)

With new train stations recently opened in both areas, Moseley and Kings Heath are now easier to visit than ever before.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

One of the country’s most significant Victorian gardens, Birmingham Botanical Gardens retains its beauty throughout all four seasons. The historic 15-acre landscape offers a peaceful escape right in the heart of Birmingham. It houses over 30,000 plants, along with a Japanese Garden where you can see a famous collection of Bonsai trees.

The gardens are more than just a pretty place to walk. Beyond their Victorian charm, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens are also a living classroom. The four glasshouses, ranging from tropical rainforest to dry desert, offer visitors the chance to step between climates in minutes. Outside, the large lawn hosts everything from live music and concerts, to magical light trails in the winter.

Cannon Hill Park

Brummies love to tell you that Birmingham has more parks than Paris. Cannon Hill contains 250 acres of it – a stunning landscape filled with mini golf, tennis courts, and a beautiful lake. Just a stone’s throw from our campus, it’s the perfect place for picnics, paddle boating, or a leisurely stroll.

For student Grace Leather, it’s her favourite place in Birmingham. “Whenever me and my friends need a break from university work, a catch up, or one of us is having a bit of a hard time, we go to Cannon Hill Park.”

In the summer, the grounds transform into a lively funfair. At its heart sits the Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), a creative spot where you can watch movies, explore art galleries, or join hands-on workshops to learn new skills.

Lickey Hills Country Park

Just a short trip from the city, Lickey Hills Country Park feels like stepping into a different world. It’s one of the best places in the region to see the whole of Birmingham and beyond. From the top of Beacon Hill, you can see for miles across several different counties on a clear day. With its rolling hills and deep woods, it proves that Birmingham is much more than just a concrete jungle.

Old forests and quiet paths wind through the park, making it a favourite spot for walkers and nature lovers. It’s also a great place to spot wildlife, like woodpeckers, deer, or rare plants, giving the whole area a truly wild feel.