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Birmingham
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Overview
Regeneration, renewal and grand-scale construction continue apace in Britain's second-largest city. A state-of-the-art library, gleaming shopping centre atop revitalised New St station and beautifully restored Victorian buildings are just some of the successful initiatives of its Big City Plan, following on from the striking Mailbox and Bullring shopping malls and the iconic Selfridges building's 'bubblewrapped' facade. Work is underway on extensions to the Metro (light rail/tram) network, and on the centrepiece Paradise development's new hotels, public spaces, and glitzy residential and commercial buildings, with final completion due in 2025.
Attractions
Must-see attractions
Birmingham
Resembling a glittering stack of gift-wrapped presents, the Francine Houbenādesigned Library of Birmingham is an architectural triumph. The 2013-openedā¦
Birmingham
At the University of Birmingham, 3 miles south of the city centre, the Barber Institute of Fine Arts has an astonishing collection of Renaissanceā¦
Birmingham
The next best thing to Willy Wonka's chocolate factory is Cadbury World, 4 miles south of Birmingham. It educates visitors about the history of cocoa andā¦
Birmingham
Exotic marine creatures including otters, jellyfish, piranhas and razor-jawed hammerhead sharks swim in the Sir Norman Fosterādesigned National Sea Lifeā¦
Birmingham
Quirky tours of this cluster of restored back-to-back terraced houses take you through four working-class homes, telling the stories of those who livedā¦
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
Birmingham
Major Pre-Raphaelite works by Rossetti, Edward Burne-Jones and others are among the highlights of the delightful Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery'sā¦
Birmingham
Just over a mile southeast of the city centre, Digbeth's creative quarter centres on the Custard Factory, a hip art-and-design enclave set in theā¦
Birmingham
Situated 1.5 miles northwest of Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter, Soho House is where industrialist Matthew Boulton lived from 1766 to 1809. Among theā¦
Planning Tools
Expert guidance to help you plan your trip
Best Things to Do
A former industrial powerhouse, Birmingham in the 21st century is vibrant, diverse city thatās home to a plethora of distinctly local attractions.Ā
Read articleBest Neighborhoods
Foodies, history and street-art lovers will find plenty to distract them in this post-industrial Midlands metropolis.
Read articleDay Trips
Step away from the UK's second city and see what else is happening in the Midlands. Here are the best day trips from Birmingham.
Read articlePlan with a local
Articles
Latest stories from Birmingham
Art and Culture
8 of the best museums in Birmingham: learn about the city's ingenuity and creativityJun 28, 2022 ā¢ 5 min read
NeighborhoodsBirminghamās best neighborhoods for craft beer and colorful street artJun 7, 2022 ā¢ 5 min read
ActivitiesThe 6 best day trips from Birmingham: see how the Midlands shaped the worldJan 26, 2022 ā¢ 5 min read
Festivals & EventsThe first official Peaky Blinders festival is happening next monthAug 27, 2019 ā¢ 2 min read
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