Birmingham City Guide: Things to Do, Places to See and the Perfect Base for Sports Fans
Birmingham surprises people. Come for a canalside dinner, then stay for the red-brick workshops of the Jewellery Quarter, a legendary Balti and a city centre you can cross on foot in 20 minutes.
Sitting right in the middle of England, it is also one of the best bases in the country for sports fans. This Birmingham city guide covers what the city is about, the best things to do and places to see, and why we think it is the perfect hub for Formula 1 at Silverstone.
About Birmingham
Birmingham is England's second city: big, multicultural and welcoming, with a down-to-earth sense of humour. During the Industrial Revolution it was known as the "Workshop of the World", and the canals that carried its goods still wind through the centre. Today the city has more miles of canal than Venice.
Modern Birmingham mixes that heritage with bold new architecture, from the Library of Birmingham to grand Victorian civic squares. Start planning with the official Visit Birmingham guide.
Birmingham at a Glance
- Where it is: The West Midlands, right in the middle of England
- Locals are called: Brummies
- Famous for: Industrial heritage, canals, the Jewellery Quarter, the Balti and Cadbury
- Main stations: Birmingham New Street, Moor Street and Snow Hill
- Getting around: Compact and walkable, with a tram line linking key areas
- To Silverstone: Roughly 1.5 to 2 hours by coach, depending on traffic
- Best for: Food lovers, shoppers, culture fans and sports fans
Birmingham Neighbourhoods to Explore
Most of the city's quarters sit within a short walk of each other, so you can easily see three or four in a day.
- Brindleyplace and Gas Street Basin. Canalside squares, waterside terraces and the Ikon Gallery, with narrowboats moored at Gas Street Basin a few minutes away.
- The Jewellery Quarter. Georgian and Victorian streets where, according to Visit Birmingham, over 40% of the UK's jewellery is still made. Great for independent shops, museums and characterful pubs.
- Digbeth. The creative quarter, full of street art, converted factories, vintage stalls, live music and street food. Peaky Blinders fans will feel right at home under the railway arches.
- Colmore Row. Grand Victorian buildings in the business district, with smart cocktail bars and some of the city's best restaurants nearby.
- Southside and Chinatown. Home to the Birmingham Hippodrome, the Chinese Quarter and the heart of the city's LGBTQ+ scene, with nightlife that runs late.
- Bullring and the Mailbox. The city's two big shopping destinations, covered below.
Things to Do and Places to See in Birmingham
- Walk the canals from Gas Street Basin past Brindleyplace, or take a boat trip from the city centre.
- Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery for its famous Pre-Raphaelite collection.
- The Library of Birmingham, with free rooftop views over the city.
- Thinktank Science Museum, hands-on fun for all ages.
- The Back to Backs, National Trust courtyard houses that show a century of working life. Book ahead.
- Cadbury World in Bournville, a short train ride from the centre.
- Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Cannon Hill Park for a green escape.
- A show or a gig, from the Hippodrome to Symphony Hall and Digbeth's music venues.
Further afield, the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley recreates the region's industrial past and has been used as a Peaky Blinders filming location. Find more things to see and do in Birmingham.
Food and Drink in Birmingham
Birmingham is one of the UK's best food cities, with something for every taste and budget.
- The Balti. Birmingham is widely credited as its birthplace, so trying one is a must.
- Fine dining. Several Michelin-recognised restaurants, many around Colmore Row and the Jewellery Quarter.
- Canalside. Brindleyplace and the Mailbox are made for long lunches by the water.
- Street food and independents. Head to Digbeth for street food, craft beer and great coffee.
- Chinatown. Dim sum and hot pot in Southside, perfect after the theatre.
For the latest openings, see Visit Birmingham's food and drink guide.
Shopping in Birmingham
- Bullring and Grand Central. Hundreds of shops beneath futuristic architecture, linked to New Street Station.
- The Mailbox. Designer labels and canalside dining in the old Royal Mail sorting office.
- The Jewellery Quarter. Buy something special direct from the makers.
- Digbeth and the Custard Factory. Vintage finds, records and independent fashion.
- Birmingham Rag Market. A local institution for bargains and fabrics.
Visit Birmingham's shopping guide lists walking times from each station.
Birmingham: The Perfect Base for Sports Fans
Birmingham lives and breathes sport, from the football grounds of Villa Park and St Andrew's to Edgbaston, one of the world's most famous cricket grounds. Its big arenas regularly host boxing, darts and more.
Just as important is its location. Right in the middle of England, with excellent road and rail links, Birmingham puts major venues within easy reach and gives you a lively city to come back to each evening. Browse all our sports travel packages.
The British Grand Prix from Birmingham
At SEESPORTS, we think Birmingham is a great hub for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, the home of British motorsport. Here is why:
- It is close. Silverstone is roughly 1.5 to 2 hours away by coach, depending on race-day traffic.
- The evenings are better. Swap a quiet village for canalside dinners, Jewellery Quarter pubs and Southside nightlife.
- Getting there is sorted. There is no station at the circuit, but SEESPORTS guests enjoy return transfers from the Novotel Birmingham Centre to Silverstone Circuit on race days. It is one of the benefits of booking with SEESPORTS.
Every British Grand Prix Ticket and Hotel Package includes official F1 tickets, your hotel, guaranteed seats together and our exclusive Kick-off Cover. Get to know the circuit in our Silverstone facts guide, or see every race on our Formula 1 packages page.
Where to Stay in Birmingham: Novotel Birmingham Centre
Sitting on Broad Street, it is a short walk from Brindleyplace, the canals, Symphony Hall and the city centre. Spend the day at the sport, then step straight out for dinner and drinks.
The Novotel Birmingham Centre is one of the hotels SEESPORTS offers in Birmingham, so you can book it together with your tickets as part of a complete Ticket and Hotel Package.
Getting Around Birmingham
- Walk. The city centre is compact, with most main areas 15 to 20 minutes apart.
- Take the tram. The West Midlands Metro links New Street Station, Centenary Square and Broad Street with the Jewellery Quarter.
- Use local trains. New Street, Moor Street and Snow Hill are all central, and Bournville has its own station for Cadbury World.
- Follow the towpaths. The canals are a flat, traffic-free shortcut between the canalside areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Plan your Birmingham Sports Break
Birmingham gives you a big, friendly city full of food and culture, with easy access to some of the country's biggest sporting venues.
If Formula 1 is on your list, explore our British Grand Prix packages and check availability online, or chat to Sid, our Online Assistant, on the Live Desk any time.
