10 Things to Do in Birmingham off the Beaten Track
Fun and Different Things to Do in Birmingham
Birmingham has plenty of hidden gems and lesser-known attractions to explore, giving you a different take on this exciting city. The vibrant city of Birmingham is one of the United Kingdom’s most popular travel destinations. It has a range of famous and fascinating landmarks and attractions, such as Cadbury World and the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, but we’re looking beyond the obvious choices to highlight things you might otherwise miss.
So, if you’re looking for some unique experiences and activities in Birmingham, you’re in luck. Take a look at 10 things to do in Birmingham off the beaten track to see what else this city has in store.
1. The Pen Museum
75 percent of the world’s pens were manufactured in Birmingham
Good for: Famílias, Invulgar
The Pen Museum is a fascinating museum that chronicles the legacy of Birmingham’s 19th-century pen trade and its significance to literacy throughout the world. Housed within a former pen factory from 1863, the museum holds a collection of over 5,000 objects related to the pen trade in the city, including pens with reeds, feather quills, and steel nibs.
The museum’s exhibits also use historic trails, videos, and interactive displays to narrate the history and personal tales of the entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and workers who helped Birmingham’s pen trade skyrocket. Some other highlights include factory presses for pen manufacturing, Braille machines, and historic typewriters. Before you leave, be sure to visit the gift shop for writing-related souvenirs and gifts.
Location: Unit 3, The Argent Center, 60 Frederick St, Birmingham B1 3HS, United Kingdom
Open: Thursday–Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm, Sunday from midday to 4 pm, closed Monday to Wednesday
Phone: +44 121 236 9834
The Pen Museum
2. Sarehole Mill Museum
Inspiration for ‘Lord of the Rings’ author J.R.R. Tolkien
Good for: Famílias, Interesse histórico, Invulgar
Built in 1765, the Sarehole Mill is a historic water mill and a museum that’s best known as the childhood haunt of J.R.R. Tolkien and the inspiration for Hobbiton in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. It’s believed that Tolkien used the Sarehole Mill as the model for The Shire, the home of Bilbo Baggins, and the ‘great mill’ in The Hobbit.
In fact, the grounds nearby host an annual Tolkien Weekend celebrating the author. In addition to the connection to Tolkien, the mill has a strong history in the area and features 2 waterwheels. An onsite tea room offers coffee, tea, cakes, and other desserts. Read more
Location: Cole Bank Rd, Birmingham B13 0BD, United Kingdom
Open: Friday–Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm, closed Monday–Thursday
Phone: +44 121 348 8160
Sarehole Mill Museum
3. Birmingham Back to Backs
Birmingham’s last remaining back-to-back houses
Good for: Interesse histórico, Invulgar
Take a trip back in time to the immaculately restored 19th-century courtyard of working people’s homes with the Birmingham Back to Backs. The court is the last remaining example of back-to-back houses, which were a common type of housing in the 19th century.
Now, the houses are preserved as a historic house museum by the National Trust. The houses have been restored, but there are several aspects of the original homes remaining, such as a narrow tunnel entry, original staircases, a large bay window and a single chimney. You can see the houses with a guided tour, which features each house decorated and furnished in the style of the 1840s, 1870s, 1930s, and 1970s. Read more
Location: 50-54, 55-63 Inge St, Hurst St, Birmingham B5 4TE, United Kingdom
Open: Thursday–Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm, Tuesday–Wednesday from 1 pm to 3 pm, closed Monday
Phone: +44 121 666 7671
Birmingham Back to Backs
4. Peaky Blinders Tour
Explore the world of Thomas Shelby on this unique tour of the city
Good for: Famílias, Interesse histórico, Invulgar
In the 1800s and 1900s, Birmingham was plagued with organized crime and street gangs that ruled with an iron fist. If you want to explore the mayhem and intrigue of Birmingham’s dark history, the Peaky Blinders Tour is the best option.
The tour is conducted by expert guides under the guidance of Professor Carl Chinn MBE, beginning at The Old Crowd and traveling through the real haunts and racecourses of the city’s real Peaky Blinder gangs. After the tour, you can relax with a drink and dinner at The Old Crown while the guide regales you with the bloody tales of the gang wars in the city.
Location: 188 High St, Deritend, Birmingham B12 0LD, United Kingdom
Open: Tours start at 7 pm
Peaky Blinders Tour
5. The Diskery Birmingham
One of the UK’s oldest record shops, having opened in 1952
Good for: Compras, Interesse histórico
As one of the United Kingdom’s longest-standing record shops and a Birmingham institution, The Diskery is a must-visit on your trip. The legendary record shop is located in the center of the city and has been in operation for over 70 years, only changing owners and locations 1 time in all those decades.
When it first opened, the shop held a vast collection of jazz, a passion of the shop’s owner, but it’s now home to a variety of musical genres. Throughout the years, the record shop has seen the start of modern jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, R&B, calypso, ska, and many other musical movements and trends, acting as a time capsule for the cultural influences of the city.
Location: 92 Bristol St, Birmingham B5 7AH, United Kingdom
Open: Monday–Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm
Phone: +44 121 622 2219
The Diskery Birmingham
6. Jewellery Quarter
The tradition of jewellery crafting continues
Good for: Couples, Luxury, Shoppers
The Jewellery Quarter is home to a massive concentration of jewelry businesses and craftspeople. Birmingham has been central to the jewelry trade in England for centuries, with big factories in the quarter producing large numbers of gold seals, watch chains, brooches, silver buckles, and combs.
The quarter is home to around 700 jewelry-related businesses selling all manner of unique gifts and novelties, as well as art galleries and restaurants. You’ll find a lot to see and do in the quarter, such as the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, Pen Museum, and Coffin Works, so it’s easy to make a whole day out in this corner of the city. Read more
Jewellery Quarter
7. The Coffin Works
Creators of coffins for famous people like Churchill
Good for: Famílias, Interesse histórico, Invulgar
Located at the edge of the Jewellery Quarter, the Coffin Works is a heritage attraction that chronicles the history of Newman Brothers, the last coffin-furniture factory in the city. The factory operated for over a century and closed in 1998, when all the workers stopped abruptly and walked out, leaving all their belongings behind.
The factory is not only a vital part of the city’s industrial legacy, but it’s also an odd and unique story. With a guided tour of the museum, you can learn about the history of Newman Brothers, including stories about the workers, trade, and famous clients, including Winston Churchill. You’ll also see a collection of artifacts, such as trade catalogs, coffin furniture, and shrouds. Read more
Location: Unit 2, Coffin Works, 13-15 Fleet St, Birmingham B3 1JP, United Kingdom
Open: Wednesday 11 am to 1:15 pm, Thursday 11 am to 2:15 pm, Friday to Sunday 11 am to 3:15 pm, plus special events, closed Monday and Tuesday
Phone: +44 121 233 4790
The Coffin Works
8. Custard Factory
The creative quarter where artists and designers hang out
Good for: Casais, Famílias, Diversão noturna, Compras
The Custard Factory in Birmingham is a vibrant creative and digital hub located in the heart of Digbeth. Once home to Bird’s Custard production, it’s now a buzzing space filled with artisan markets, cafés, studios, and street art. You’ll also find an independent movie theater and game-themed hangout spots.
The site regularly hosts events, pop-up markets, and exhibitions, so there’s always something new to discover. With its blend of history and innovation, the Custard Factory offers a unique experience that reflects the city’s dynamic spirit and growing reputation as a cultural center. Read more
Location: Gibb St, Deritend, Birmingham B9 4AA, United Kingdom
Open: Varies by venue
Custard Factory
9. Birmingham’s Hidden Spaces
A series of events and campaigns highlighting heritage
Good for: Casais, Interesse histórico, Invulgar
Hidden Spaces tours in Birmingham offer a rare glimpse into the city’s secret and forgotten architecture. These guided experiences unlock doors to historic buildings, underground tunnels, and grand interiors usually closed to the public. From old factories and churches to ornate ballrooms and Victorian offices, each location reveals stories of Birmingham’s industrial past and cultural evolution.
The tours are perfect for history buffs, urban explorers, and photography enthusiasts, providing a fresh perspective on the city’s heritage. With expert guides and atmospheric settings, Hidden Spaces tours turn overlooked corners into unforgettable discoveries, celebrating Birmingham’s rich and layered architectural legacy. Check online to see what tours are running during your visit.
10. Balti Triangle
Home to what’s internationally recognized as Birmingham’s native curry
Good for: Famílias, Comida, Compras
No visit to Birmingham is complete without a trip to the Balti Triangle to sample the aromatic flavors of the area’s unique restaurants. The Balti Triangle is an area of Balti houses near the city center that’s rumored to be the birthplace of Balti curry, a type of lamb or goat meat curry served in a pressed-steel wok known as a Balti bowl.
Throughout the Balti Triangle, you’ll find everything from high-end, award-winning restaurants to authentic, family-run eateries, giving you plenty of options for how to try this Birmingham staple for a memorable experience on your trip. Read more
Balti Triangle
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