Tourist in Birmingham

[PurpleWillow]

Hi. For some odd but fun reasons, I have an extra little holiday. In Birmingham. Anyone any fun ideas how one can spend their time there, or somewhere close by, during three days? I only have acces to public transport, no car.

There's loads to do but depends what you like doing?

Digbeth is arty. Id check out the cool shops and street art and have a nice lunch somewhere.

The art gallery and museum has a gorgeous tea room and recently reopened. Ikon Gallery and canals are great.

I think you can do canal trips.

There's the theatres too.

Some nice parks. Botanic Gardens.

You can get out of the city if you want to... Day trip to Stratford on Avon and do some Shakespeare?

Or book a spa day in one of the nice hotels in the centre?

Coffin works and pen museum were interesting

the library is meant to be amazing

Botanical gardens - I think we used to get a bus out from the station.

There the Science Musum and National Sealife center - canals with shops and pubs round for lunch.

Cadbury World it was expensive but fun when we went.

You can get a train to Tipton station - and 20 minute walk you are at Black country living Musuem

You can obviously get to quite a bit of the Midlands - Telford got nice castle and park - obviously Warwick castle though expensive for what it is - Coventry has transport musum though think you now have to pay for that. Leicester has National Space Centre and Richard third Musum and catherdral ( tiny) with his burial place. You can also get to Kenilworth by train - so there's kenilworth castle and the Stratford-upon-Avon.

I really enjoyed the tour of an old jewellery workshop in the jewellery quarter.

The train to Stratford takes a while but on a day like this it would be a really nice way to spend the day.

The Botanical gardens is also lovely and finally has a cafe that doesn't serve shit heated up panini with barely any filling.

If you do go to Cadbury world a wander around Bournville village is nice too. And head down to the Pershore Rd I'd you want to choose from some very good quality places to eat and drink

Thanks all. That are a lot of options already. If the weather is nice, the botanical garden definitely is in the planning now.

Never thought about a spa, good idea as well.

Things like Cadbury World or the Science Museum, would that be fun for a woman alone as well? It looks like it's more meant for families?

This site has some cool ideas btw secretbirmingham.com/

The library
Walk around canals ..more than Venice
Canal bus boat

Hyatt regency has a lovely pool and spa

I've never got round to it but the library has roof top gardens

https://secretbirmingham.com/library-of-birmingham-roof/

Things like Cadbury World or the Science Museum, would that be fun for a woman alone as well? It looks like it's more meant for families?

I think if you go over Easter they will be full of families - but I think they could be enjoyable by yourself - but would put botanical garden and art gallery and museum much higher for solo trip. Also Jewellery Quarter may be worth a look round - and Birmingham Canalside.

I didn't know the libaray had gardens at top of it - despite having been past it.

If you are going to the Botanical Gardens, you could walk across to the University and visit either the Lapworth Museum or (or and ?) the Barber Institute of Fine Arts

If you do decide to get the cross city trainline to Cadbury World, then Bournville itself is quite nice to wander around - you can see the Carillon - you can book a tour on a Saturday if that works, it is really interesting. Then Selly Manor is right by there as well.

Do go in to the Library of Birmingham though. It is lovely. Rooftop garden as already said, but the Shakespeare Room is also worth a visit. (all that is free)

Bham Museum and Art Gallery well worth a visit as well, including the Edwardian Tea Rooms as stated. You could spend hours in there.

Worth wandering along the canal just for the ambience - close to the Library and not far from Museum - or you can book a boat ride.

The back to back houses should be interesting but need to be booked in advance.

If you are there a few days take a look what’s on at the theatre for a night out .

Absolutely.

The Hippodrome
The Alex
The Rep
The Crescent

all within walking distance (as we are presuming you are staying in the City Centre) and they put on some great shows.

The Barber Institute is closed for refurbishment, sadly. The University Botanical Gardens at Winterbourne are very lovely and they have a good tea room.
https://www.winterbourne.org.uk/
Tolkien fans sometimes like to hang round Sarehole Mill and Moseley Bog.
Bournville is quite nice for a wander with lots of green spaces and a few good cafes.

Cadbury world?

https://www.treasuretrails.co.uk/pages/trail-search?location=Birmingham