Stuff to do in Birmingham?

[longers]

I'm sure there's plenty so am asking for suggestions please.

An electric cinema and a custard factory are provisionally on the list, all further suggestions considered. Especially those involving food.

Thanks!

 

[BrumJim]

Food - head down to Ladypool Road for a genuine Birmingham Balti. Otherwise, tell me what you are looking for, and we'll find some suggestions.

Birmingham - so many options.

If it is shopping that you like, then we have the Bull Ring. History, then we have the Back-to-Back houses, Science, and we have Millenium Point, Jewellery, and we have the Jewellery Quarter and museum - surprising and interesting look at a typical workshop of the time. Chocolate - can't miss Cadbury World.

Animals - Birmingham Nature Centre, or West Midlands Safari park.

Oh, and if you like pens, there is the Pen Museum, or Pen Room, as it is formally called.

 

[longers]

Food suggestions would be for something midday and "interesting".

The pen and jewellery museum suggestions are good so far, thankyou. Is there a park we can grab a bit of fresh air in and smell the flowers/trees somewhere?

 

[BrumJim]

Weekday? Try https://www.hotelduvin.com/hotels/birmingham/pub-du-vin.aspx

Park - a bit early, I'm afraid. Eastside is going to be turned into the new Birmingham City Centre park. For a bit of "getting out of it" try down by the canalside - up Broad Street or through the ICC, and then head out to the NIA, or towards Gas Street basin. For some genuine Park land, try the 45 or 47 bus out to Cannon Hill Park, or by car, follow directions to Mac (which is also worth a visit), then park in the car park. If you are there early or late, you will see me cycle through there. Otherwise Sutton Park is a lot further out, but much, much bigger.

 

[upsidedown]

If you can get to Selly Oak the Barber Institute art gallery at the University is well worth a visit, and it's free. For good food you have Glynn Purnell's place in Colmore Row. Also Soho House is very nice if you like your history. Enjoy your visit.

 

[BrumJim]

Lunch at the Icon Gallery is good, and combines somewhere to go with somewhere to eat:
http://www.ikon-gallery.co.uk/

 

[amnesia]

Tamworth Snowdome isn't far away if you're into skiing or snowboarding.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Food suggestions would be for something midday and "interesting".

Drink suggestions: if you like Real Ale like my good self, then go to either The Briar Rose pub (which also does food) or the one next it which I cannot remember the name of currently, (The Wellington?), both on Bennets Hill, just a few minutes walk from New Street.
Oh and you can go to the Ian Allen Shop near to New Street if you are desperate for some transport related shopping!

 

[longers]

Many thanks, we should be able to fill a day no problem now. And the ale house suggestions should help plug any gaps.

 

[TVC]

It has to be said:

The best thing to do in Birmingham?.... Leave.

 

[Kirstie]

Drink suggestions: if you like Real Ale like my good self, then go to either The Briar Rose pub (which also does food) or the one next it which I cannot remember the name of currently, (The Wellington?), both on Bennets Hill, just a few minutes walk from New Street.
Oh and you can go to the Ian Allen Shop near to New Street if you are desperate for some transport related shopping!

Yes it is called The Wellington - it's very good too.
There are lots of really good restaurants - check on top table for good deas. For Chinese, the Chung Ying Garden is great; if you fancy a trip down the stratford road, Jyoti is a fantastic veggie curry house; there's an ethiopian restaurant on Bristol Street which is really different and interesting; the Ikon Gallery cafe is also one of my favourites for lunch.
I always enjoy looking at the crazy architecture in the bull ring too. Now I don't live in Birmingham (I did for 15 years) I really love it!

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Yes it is called The Wellington - it's very good too.

Thanks, I couldn't quite remember. Yes, the Wellington is good - it has at least 10 ales going at the one time AND it has a TV screen telling you what each ale is and some info about it!
It isn't a noisy pub in terms of music, etc (IIRC) either.

As for the Briar Rose, now I come to think of it, I think it is actually a W*rtherspoons Inn, but I have only heard good things about it in the past (I have never actually been in it, only the Wellington).

 

[BrumJim]

Thanks, I couldn't quite remember. Yes, the Wellington is good - it has at least 10 ales going at the one time AND it has a TV screen telling you what each ale is and some info about it!
It isn't a noisy pub in terms of music, etc (IIRC) either.

As for the Briar Rose, now I come to think of it, I think it is actually a W*rtherspoons Inn, but I have only heard good things about it in the past (I have never actually been in it, only the Wellington).

16 ales. Lists each one, strength (ABV) and colour from A (lager colour) to E (Stout).

 

[Proto]

The M5 and M6 are close and from there the world is your lobster.

 

[Skyfoil]

You have to find some time in the day to 'queue' somewhere.
It's like a famous pastime that nobody speaks of in Birmingham.

Here are the possibilities;

1. Queue in traffic on the way in.
2. Queue to get on a car park.
3. Queue for the escalators in the Bull Ring.
4. Queue for food.
5. Queue for washrooms.
6. Queue to be served in a retail outlet.
7. Queue to get out of a car park.
8. Queue in traffic on the way out.

I'm sure there are more. Perhaps you can add to this list after your visit.

I know the replies i'll get from this. This isn't an issue unique to Birmingham, but I do feel it is taken to the extremes there.

I should add that, apart from the Bull Ring, I actually really like Birmingham. I work there. (Cycle to work, so queues are avoided. )