Fed up of normal days out? We can't blame you, there's much more exciting things out there. That's why we've collected these 15 quirky things to do in Birmingham.
Starting off with a fun fact, you probably didn’t know that Birmingham was responsible for manufacturing 75% of the world’s pens during the19th century. The city’s Jewellery Quarter was at the heart of the pen trade and still stands as a place for visitors to learn about Birmingham’s role in the industry. And no, it’s not just looking at pens for a couple hours, this super-interactive attraction has quills and steel pens to try out as well as some vintage typewriters.
Now, you simply cannot come to Birmingham and not go somewhere Peaky Blinders-themed, it’s practically a rite of passage. The tour will take you into the depths of Digbeth (the OG Peaky Blinder’s stomping ground back in the day) with local historian, Carl Chinn. Check out the Victorian sights and seriously improve your knowledge of the real Peaky Blinders.
In the centre of town and looking for something to do? Well, Treetop Adventure Golf is super-fun * and * located in the Bullring Shopping Centre – so perfect for those already out ‘n’ about. Choose from their two, 18-hole courses (appropriately named Tropical Trail and Ancient Explorer) and prepare for a fun-filled golf experience. Oh, and for mid-and-post-match refuelling, there’s a pizza restaurant, coffee shop and cocktail bar on-site too.
We can pretty much guarantee that you didn’t think of paddleboarding in Birmingham of all places but it’s definitely worth a shot. Just a 10-minute drive from the city centre, you’ll find Sail Birmingham on Edgbaston Reservoir – the perfect place to try out a tonne of different water sports like paddleboarding, windsurfing, sailing and more. Definitely one of the more unusual things to do in Birmingham, this is one of our top spots to visit.
A paradise for little kids and big kids (sometimes called, adults?) alike, the LEGO® Discovery Centre is the perfect place for families to head to in Birmingham. The attraction is split up into themed areas so there’s plenty to keep you busy – be sure to check out the LEGO® 4D Cinema and MINILAND® for the ultimate quirky day out in Birmingham.
Book Your Lego Discovery Centre Birmingham Tickets Here
Uncovering a previously hidden element of Birmingham’s history, the West Midlands Police have opened a museum in a former police station on Steelhouse Lane. The lock-up allows visitors to explore the history of past police officers and their prisoners – including the real Peaky Blinders.
Another fun fact for you, this cutesy mill provided inspiration to author J.R.R. Tolkien for his rather famous series, Lord of the Rings. Sarehole Mill is a 250-year-old functioning watermill that acts as host to a celebration of the world-loved series each September. The Middle Earth Festival is an annual event dedicated to Tolkien which hosts plenty of fun experiences like re-enactments, a pop-up Two Towers brewery bar and much much more. P.S fancy dress is definitely encouraged.
Normally, a library trip could sound like a boring use of a day out but the visiting this beauty is one of our favourite quirky things to do in Birmingham. Coined as the largest library in Britain (and one of the largest in Europe), this stunning building opened back in 2013 and took a whopping £180 million plus to build. If you’re into Shakespeare, you’ll be thrilled to find out there’s a memorial room dedicated to the famous author.
The Birmingham Botanical Gardens are somewhat of a blissful spot, one you should definitely visit on a trip to Birmingham. Located to the West of the city centre, the Botanical Gardens just a 15-minute drive or train journey from the centre. And if you’re looking for something extra quirky to do in Birmingham, join one of their workshops – from gardening to photography, they’ve got it all.
Chocolate lovers, this is the place for you. Probably one of the more unusual things to do in Birmingham, visiting Cadbury World is one of our favourites. Feel like you’re truly getting to know the nitty-gritties of chocolate as you explore the different themed areas – think 4D Chocolate Adventure, the Cadabra ride and an opportunity to make your own chocolatey designs.
Now, this must be one of the most epic set ups we’ve ever seen for a zoo. The entire attraction is packed with history, with Dudley Zoo having opened in May 1937 while the castle itself has been around since the 11th century. The zoo focusses massively on conservation, with global projects in place for endangered species such as Asiatic lions, Sumatran tigers and Tibetan red pandas.
Certainly not the typical way to spend a day in the West Midlands, you can choose from a variety of quirky things to do at this Birmingham attraction. Whether you fancy braving it in the shark tank for a quick swim, trying your luck at archery or channelling your inner lumberjack with some axe throwing, Bear Grylls adventure has loads of unusual activities to keep you busy.
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Hop onto the year-round water bus service that’ll take you along Birmingham’s canals for just £1 per stop or £4 round-trip. The water bus itself is sweetly named ‘Ariel’ and is worth visiting as one of the more unusual things to do in Birmingham.
Home to the UK’s one and only 360° Ocean Tunnel, there’s tonnes to see at SA LIFE Birmingham. Oh, and the aquarium really puts the legwork into helping endangered species- their rescue centre is home to an adorable pair of Alaskan sea otters. If you fancy making a day out of it, look at visiting the 4D cinema which can be purchased as an add-on for as little as £3.50pp. P.S this add-on must be booked via the official site.
Book Your SEA LIFE Birmingham Tickets Here
This stunning little cathedral is located slap-bang in the city centre and is a great spot to visit on a sunny day. The cathedral itself is surrounded by greenery (as well as plenty of local cafes, restaurants and bars), making it a lovely place to visit during summer months. And, if you’re into events and live music, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the shows and planned services at the church.
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