Explore Essentials: The Definitive Guide to Birmingham’s Top Attractions

“Home to Industrial-Revolution-era landmarks and a vast network of canals, Birmingham offers a unique charm and a range of exciting attractions to experience during your holiday. If you’re planning a trip to Liverpool, take a look at this guide to Birmingham attractions to make the most of your holiday.

Pen Museum
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The Pen Museum in Birmingham is a fascinating and unique attraction devoted to the history of the pen-making industry in the UK. When visiting, keep in mind that the museum is within a historic building and some areas may have limited access. You should plan at least an hour to see the museum in full. The museum can be reached by bus via the 101 bus line from the city-centre stops, the tram from the city centre, and the train to the Jewellery Quarter Station. If you choose to drive, you can park on the street near the museum.

Unit 3, The Argent Centre, 60 Frederick St, Birmingham B1 3HS UK

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Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 11am to 4pm. Sunday from 1pm to 4pm.

View of street innJewellery Quarter

Birmingham Back to Backs
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The Birmingham Back to Backs are the city’s last-surviving court of back-to-back houses constructed during the industrial period. Visits to the houses are only available through guided tours that include stairs, which may be difficult for those with mobility issues. Tickets for the tours are £9.50 for adults, £5.25 for children, £21.50 for families and free for National Trust members. You can reach the Back to Backs by train via the Birmingham New Street station and by bus from Travel West Midlands routes from the city centre. If you choose to drive, you can park in the Arcadian Centre on Bromsgrove Street.

50-54, 55-63 Inge St, Hurst St, Birmingham B5 4TE UK

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Opening hours: Guided tours only

Museum of the Jewellery Quarter
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The Museum of the Jewellery Quarter is a spectacular museum that focuses on the British jewellery industry over the past 200 years. It’s also the starting point for a self-guided tour of the Jewellery Quarter. Museum tickets are £7.00 for adults, £5.00 for students and concession, £3.00 for children and £15.00 to £20.20 for families. The cafe, shop and temporary exhibitions are free to visit. The museum can be reached by buses 101, 16, 75, 8A and 8C from the city centre or other Birmingham locations and by the National Express Midland Metro to the Jewellery Quarter Station. If you drive, parking is available on Vyse Street and nearby streets.

75-80 Vyse St, Birmingham B18 6HA UK

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Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday from 10.30am to 4pm and Saturday from 10.30am to 5pm.

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
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The Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery has been in operation since 1885 and offers more than 40 galleries with a collection of applied art, display art, archaeology, social history and ethnography exhibits. The museum is free to visit, but there may be admission charges for tickets to special events and exhibitions. You can reach the museum by National Express West Midlands buses 9, X10, 82, 87, 89, 120, 127 and 128 from the city centre, by tram via the Midland Metro tram to the Birmingham Town Hall tram stop, and by rail to the Snow Hill station and the New Street station. If you drive, you can park at the Town Hall Car Park or Blue Badge Parking on Margaret Street and Edmund Street.

Chamberlain Square, Birmingham B3 3DH UK

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Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 10.30am to 5pm

Interior ofnBirmingham Museum and Art Gallery

Coffin Works
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The Coffin Works museum is a fascinating museum that’s home to a vast collection of original machinery and furniture for funeral homes, including the fittings for the funerals of Joseph Chamberlain and Winston Churchill. Tickets are £7.50 for adults, £6.50 for concession, £4.50 for children ages 5 to 16, free for children under the age of 5, £12.50 for a family of 1 adult and 3 children and £20.00 for a family of 2 adults and 3 children. You can reach Coffin Works by train from the Birmingham New Street station and the Birmingham Snow Hill station or by buses 82, 87, 89, 8A and 8C, 101, 16 and 74 to Fleet Street. If you drive, you can park on Fleet Street or within the Paradise Circle Car Park.

13-15 Fleet St, Birmingham B3 1JP UK

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Opening hours: The museum is open by guided tours only on Wednesday through Sunday.

Lapworth Museum of Geology
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Chronicling history for 3.5 billion years, the Lapworth Museum of Geology showcases a range of fascinating geological collections in interactive displays and galleries, including rocks, fossils, dinosaurs, natural disasters and more. The museum is free to visit and offers family activities like arts and crafts workshops and lectures. You can reach the museum via bus lines 144, 48, 63 and X61 or by rail with the London Midland train. If you drive yourself, you can park for free on the university campus or with an hourly charge at the North East Car Park.

Aston Webb Building, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT UK

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Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 5pm.

Plan your holiday in Birmingham
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From fascinating museums and heritage sites to family attractions, there’s no shortage of things to see and do in Birmingham. When it comes time to plan your trip, take a look at other things to do in Birmingham and check out Birmingham hotels to make the most of the experience.”