A Guide to the Best Free Things to do in Birmingham, UK 2023
Luckily, there are many exciting and free things to do in Birmingham in the West Midlands. Therefore, you can have a lot of fun in the UK’s second city – without breaking the bank. From parks to architecture to museums and general sightseeing, you will be able to see a lot without spending a lot. Something we always look for when travelling to a new destination.
The city’s motto is about moving forward, and we feel like that is appropriate. After reading about Birmingham’s free attractions, you will soon agree. Whether you are searching for a cheaper day out, something different or even free things to do in Birmingham with kids. There are many free attractions in Birmingham city centre and many free things you can venture out the city for to have a lot of fun. Read the list and choose based on your interests!
You might also like: One day in Birmingham Itinerary.
The Best 19 Free Things to do in Birmingham 2023, UK
1. Stroll around Brindleyplace and the Canals
You might have already heard the famous phrase that ‘Birmingham has more canals than Venice’ and if not, when you begin to venture around the city, you will soon see for yourself. Therefore one of the best free things to do in Birmingham is to walk around and enjoy them, now it might not be Italy, and there may not be any gondolas, but there is a Waterbus, and we think the canal boats are pretty charming too.
So be sure to check out Gas Street Basin and the Black Sabbath Bench on Black Sabbath Bridge – the iconic band formed in the city!
2. Visit the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
Although it is closed until 2022, the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is an entirely free Birmingham attraction Chamberlain Square in the city centre. Here you will find everything from Egyptian mummies to the most extensive collection of Anglo Saxon Gold to Pre-Raphaelite art in a Grade II listed building dating back to 1885. There are over 40 galleries to explore and many free family-friendly attractions too.
A popular attraction here is the Edwardian tearooms – remember to check them out!
You can find it in Chamberlain Square, Birmingham B3 3DH
3. The Custard Factory
The Custard Factory is the creative hub of the city, located in Digbeth. There are numerous vintage shops, art galleries and spaces to enjoy full of creative types, and you can visit and browse for free. There are regular markets and events held here too. It is in 15 acres of restored Victorian factories. It is worth coming to see the regeneration of the area and see innovation in action.
4. Library of Birmingham & the Shakespeare Memorial Room
Whether you love or hate the new library building, there’s no denying that visiting it is a fantastic free Birmingham attraction. You should ride the elevators up through the books towards the Shakespeare Memorial Room and the not so secret (anymore) roof terraces where you can grab a book and read overlooking the city or enjoy the view of the city. But, unlike the CUBE, you do not have to pay for this view!
The Birmingham Library, which opened in 2013, is only a 15-minute walk from the Bullring, and there is now a tram just outside.
5. Ikon Gallery
Are you searching for modern art and culture? Then, head to the Ikon Gallery to fix international contemporary artists, exhibitions, tours and more right in Birmingham city centre. It is a unique spot set over two floors and showcases photography, paintings, sculptures and film, to name a few featuring many different artist from around the world.
It is hard to believe that this is one of the best free things to do in Birmingham – similar attractions elsewhere charge!
6. Cannon Hill Park
Cannon Hill Park is a beautiful spot outside of the city centre and deserves a place on this exciting list of free things to do in Birmingham. It has 80 acres of parks and 120 acres of woodland to explore and has been awarded a Green Flag status. You can play tennis (for free), have a picnic (for free) or maybe attend a Park Run event on a Saturday. The park was Rachel’s first Park Run event, so it holds a special place!
7. Jewellery Quarter
If you walk 10-minutes outside of the city centre, you will find the fabulous Jewellery Quarter. Not surprisingly, you will find many jewellery shops and a museum dedicated to the importance of jewellery for Birmingham. Did you know that it is here where 40% of all jewellery in the UK is made?
But don’t worry if you don’t have any cash to splash because it is a great area to window shop, watch people in St Paul’s Square, and attend an Open Studio event if one is on! The museum has some free temporary exhibitions, but you will be required to pay for general admission.
You can also see the RBSA Gallery here, St Paul’s Church and Key Hill Cemetery.
8. Lickey Hills Country Park
Birmingham is one of the greenest cities in the UK, and the Lickey Hills is one of the best places to come just outside of the city for a walk in the countryside. The best thing about the Lickey Hills is the views over the city from Beacon Hill that the Library rivals.
Tip: visit in May for the blanket of bluebells in the 524-acre woodland.
9. Take a Selfie with the Bull
The famous Bull weighs a mighty 6 tonnes and is twice the size of a real bull but luckily for you, you do not need to move it to take a snap of the Bull that was voted in the top 10 in the world’s public art in 2015. It is a symbol of the city, so whilst you’re in Birmingham, you should take a selfie with it, whether you’re a family or an adult, we have all got that picture with it. It is said to be memorable and strong, just like the people of Birmingham.
Sometimes they dress the Bull up for special occasions, and whilst this sort of thing creeps us out on animals, we immensely enjoy seeing the Bull this way, maybe because it is an excuse to take another picture of it!
10. The Barber Institute of Fine Arts
Located on the University of Birmingham’s campus, The Barber Institute of Fine Arts is one of the best free things to do in Birmingham because the admission to the gallery is free, and they sometimes put on free concerts. When Rachel attended the University, she had lectures in this building, so it’s another place in the city that holds treasured memories.
11. The Lapworth Museum of Geology
In the Aston Wenn Building at the University of Birmingham is the impressive Lapworth Museum of Geology. Its name comes from the award winning Birmingham geologist Charles Laptowrth and it is one of the oldest specialist geological museums in the UK.
Here you can find dinosaur bones, fossils, volcano and earthquake exhibitions and it is free of charge.
Top tip: for kids, the Thinktank Science Garden in the city centre is worth visiting too.
12. The Mailbox and BBC Birmingham
Many people love going to the Mailbox to go and see what is happening at the BBC Visitor Centre. We saw numerous Doctor Who Objects the last time we visited, including the TARDIS in the window. Inside, you can see interactive exhibitions, see Strictly’s dresses, Peaky Blinders costumes and maybe see the presenters at work too from a viewer’s platform upstairs. There are tours, but you will need to book in advance, and they are unfortunately not free.
13. Birmingham Markets
Birmingham is home to several markets, and browsing them is one of the best free things to do in Birmingham. The Birmingham Rag Market, the Bull Ring Indoor Market, the Bull Ring Open Market and the Birmingham Wholesale Markets.
The Rag Market is one of the most famous, with over 350 stalls selling fabrics and gifts, and the Indoor Market is one of the UK’s largest fish markets. We love walking around and listening to the Brummie accent. Perhaps you can find a bargain here!
14. Street Art in Digbeth
Arguably, the most creative corner of Birmingham and one of the Sunday Times’ coolest neighbourhoods in Britain – Digbeth is one of the best places to visit in Birmingham for free.
Although there are plenty of bars, zero waste supermarkets and vintage shops, one of the best free things to do in Birmingham is to admire the Digbeth street art and graffiti. It is constantly changing and reminds us of our time in Melbourne and the Northern Quarter in Manchester.
You can follow a free Birmingham Graffiti Walk, a 3-mile route that begins and ends at Moor Street Station. You can download it on the app or a pdf you can find on the Visit Birmingham recommended site. This route will help you see the best of the best!
Tip: look out for the Old Crown, which dates back to 1368 – Birmingham’s oldest Inn.
15. Admire the architecture of the city
The architecture of Birmingham is a mix of old and new, so we think taking some photographs of the city is one of the best free things to do in Birmingham. Birmingham is a young city but still has some impressive buildings. For example, head to Victoria Square to see the Birmingham Town Hall that looks similar to the Pantheon in Rome and see the remarkable council building nearby.
We also were quite fond of the red brick Law Courts on Corporation Street and Rachel’s alma mater – The University of Birmingham, as well as the two impressive arcades – Piccadilly (lookup for the frescoes) and the Grade II Listed Great Western Arcade!
If you like architecture, the best thing to do is to walk around and get a feel for the city by admiring the magnificent buildings. It is full of many delights.
16. Tolkien Trail & Moseley Bog
Tolkien is one of the most famous writers globally, and the Lord of the Rings was voted the most popular book of the 20th century. He lived in Birmingham for 16 years, and he said that he drew inspiration from the city and its surroundings for his work.
Today and all for free, you can go on the Tolkien trail, which includes spots such as Wake Green Road, Sarehole Mill, Moseley Bog and Joy’s Wood. For a complete guide to the Tolkien Trail – we found this helpful guide on the Birmingham Council site. Thousands of people do this every year, so why don’t you join them?
Tip: every May, there is a Middle Earth festival in Sarehole Mill.
17. Birmingham Cathedrals
There is nothing like escaping the buzz of the Bullring to see one of Birmingham’s Cathedrals. St Chad’s and St Phillips (also known as Birmingham Cathedral) admire, and both offer something unique. From the Gothic architecture of St Chad’s to the Grade I listed building of St Phillips with its extraordinary stained glass windows, it is worth a visit if you are looking for free things to do in Birmingham and love architecture.
You can find St Philip’s Cathedral at Colmore Row, Birmingham, B3 2QB.
18. Birmingham Walking Tours
On (some) Saturdays, two Brummies put on walking tours of Birmingham to help you discover the city from a local perspective. The tour will take you through the best of Brum, including its music, architecture and industrial past.
The tour begins at Victoria Square, and the tour lasts about 2 hours, and you will walk less than 2 miles. It is a good idea to book your spot in advance.
Although the tour is free, they ask for pay as you feel will all proceeds going to charity. It would be rude not to!
19. Martineau Gardens
At 2 and a half acres, Martineau Gardens is definitely worth exploring on your next trip to Birmingham. It is a community space that includes a woodland habitat, an orchard, vegetable plot and a nature trail.
It is a wonderful free Birmingham attraction for the family and so close to Birmingham city centre. There is a shipwreck children’s play area too.
You can find the garden at: 27 Priory Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B5 7UG.
We hope you enjoyed this list of things you can do on your free days out in Birmingham. You might also be interested in our other free UK city guides. Please read:
Free things to do in Liverpool
Photo Credits: averagelives.com
Perched in the heart of England, Birmingham is the country’s second largest city after London and one that’s great to explore… especially on a first time trip! With a handful of museums, country houses, parks and some incredible shopping spots, there really are so many amazing things to do in Birmingham.
Birmingham is not just about the urban city centre, in fact, it’s surrounded by gorgeous countryside landscapes and quaint villages with a rich history. Throughout the city and its surrounding areas, you’ll find little pieces of history nestled amongst the sleek and modern architecture.