My top 5 places in the city

Digbeth

Digbeth is easily my favourite area in Birmingham. There is so much going on, both during the day and at night. It has some of my favourite bars and clubs, as well as my go-to restaurant to celebrate birthdays and big occasions. 

My top picks:

• NQ64 - a mix between an arcade and a bar with tons of games and a great cocktail menu. The perfect place for a more relaxed night out.
• Golf Fang - crazy golf with DJs, street food, drinks, and crazy art across the course. My friend took me here for her birthday, and it was genuinely one of the best birthdays I’ve been to! Also, fun for dates or to take your friends from home when they come to visit.
• Baked in Brick - this started as a street food van but became so popular that it now has its own restaurant! I’ve been here a few times, but I would recommend coming at lunchtime as it's slightly less busy.

The canals are so underrated, and Brindleyplace is probably the best place to enjoy them. They are also super easy to get to from The Vale or the University Station. 

My top picks:

• Walk along the canals - drop down onto the canal and head towards the centre. It's such a lovely walk, but it also makes a perfect running route, which was my go-to in first year.
• Gas Street Social - I first came here for a bottomless brunch as everyone raved about it, and it lived up to its expectations. It’s reasonably priced as well. However, it is also lovely for lunch or dinner, and it is right on the canal, so in summer, it is a must-do.
• Utilita Arena - Brindleyplace is so close to the Utilita Arena which often has concerts from global superstars. It's a great place to go for dinner and drinks before you go to your concert! 

Jewellery Quarter 

The Jewellery Quarter is full of lovely little jewellery shops and museums, so it's the perfect place to wander around on a free weekend. My best friend is a History and Art student, so she spends so much of her time here as it’s full of quirky little places. 

My top picks:

• The Museum of the Jewellery Quarter - a really interesting place to visit, as Birmingham is really famous for its history of jewellery making!
• Saint Kitchen - Saint Kitchen has the most amazing bagels and cinnamon buns, so if you’re on a day out, this is the perfect spot for lunch or a little pick-me-up.
• The Jam House - so many people rave about The Jam House for live music events and for good reasons. They also have a really nice restaurant attached to take your family when they come to visit. 

Sutton Park and the Botanical Gardens

As someone who loves running, hiking, or just being outside, Sutton Park and the Botanical Gardens were some of my favourite places to go at the weekend! Sutton Park is one of the biggest urban parks in Europe and is really easy to get to on the train/bus, or it is only a 20-minute drive if you have a car. 

My top picks:

• Sutton Park - there are so many great running and walking routes around the park, and it is a lovely day out with your flatmates on a sunny weekend. There’s also a Toby Carvery and as well as some other restaurants so you can go for a long walk and grab dinner afterwards.
• Botanical Gardens - the perfect place to go if you need a break from city life! It is around a 30-minute walk from the top of campus. If you want to find somewhere closer to campus, there’s also the Winterbourne Gardens which is free for students to access.

Bullring and Grand Central 

You’ll probably end up coming to the Bullring and Grand Central the most during your time at uni, as it is so easy to get to and will be the place you go when you visit home! 

My top picks:

• Shopping - there are so many big shops such as Zara, Primark, and TK Maxx, which are also great to buy any last-minute uni essentials and to shop with friends at the weekend. 
• Chaophraya - grab a quick lunch here as it has a lovely rooftop and great Thai food. The great thing about Birmingham city centre is the wide variety of food options. Whether you're looking for a quick bite, to try a new cuisine, support small businesses or grab a meal at your favourite chain, you will find the perfect place for you.
• The balcony at Grand Central - when you get to New Street, you can go up to the top floor where there's loads of nice food spots to people-watch before getting a train!