Birmingham's must-see attractions

The best of Birmingham

As the second largest city in the UK, Birmingham has everything from museums, beautiful gardens and canals, to amazing restaurants that have a bright, community feel. This is a city of culture, rich in history, and these attractions are just a slice of that heritage, ideal for family and friends who love to explore and experience a fun day out.

We have selected some top-rated sites that offer activities for all age groups and have been Visit England Assessed.

Note, all sites are currently subject to Covid restrictions, so check ahead for opening times and what you can expect when you get there.

Barber Institute of Fine Arts

Home to some of the finest European art collections, the Barber showcases beautifully crafted paintings, sculptures and a lush coin collection. Discover unique displays of artwork and the depths of musical history, at evening and lunchtime concerts. A great opportunity to learn more about British culture.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Set in 15 acres of land, the Botanical gardens are a green sanctuary of plant life. There is a selection of glasshouses that contain a diverse range of plants from around the globe and a colourful butterfly house which includes exotic and scented plants. Alongside these beautiful gardens there’s a cosy tea room and a children’s playground to enjoy during your visit.

Cadbury World

Embark on a chocolatey adventure and discover how your favourite chocolate treat is made. Cadbury World offers a fun-packed day of activities, including a magical Cadabra ride through a chocolate wonderland, a ‘4D’ cinema experience, and the chance to dine with a host of Cadbury characters including Freddo the frog.

Thinktank

Discover Birmingham’s award-winning science museum and participate in hands-on exhibits that will teach you more about technology and inventions. From steam engines to talking robots, you can take your time to explore the thrilling science garden, as well as the Planetarium where you can observe the night sky and solar system.

Winterbourne House & Garden

This historic 20th-century house features local craftsmanship throughout, dating back to its original owner. Winterbourne House was designed in the Arts and Craft style, and is set in gardens inspired by books, in honour of its heritage and surrounding culture. 

RSPB Sandwell Valley Nature Reserve

Take some time and enjoy a relaxing day seeing hundreds of birds, animals and insects thrive in their natural habitat. Sandwell Valley Nature Reserve has a selection of guided walks and fun-filled activities all year round including pond dipping, bird spotting and bug hunting.

BBC Tours Birmingham

Take a tour behind the scenes of BBC Midlands Today, and learn how ideas are brought to life from script to TV and radio. You can also explore the making of Doctor Who and create your own radio play with sound effects that you can keep as a memento of your visit.

The Coffin Works

The Coffin Works museum offers exciting workshops and tours that explore what was once one of the world’s major producers of coffin furniture. Experience the sights, sounds and smells of factory life and watch demonstrations of the original machinery.