Birmingham has loads to inform, inspire and excite. And ensure right good fun into the bargain. Average museums or theme parks aren’t for us. Take Millennium Point, where Thinktank’s floor-upon-floor of interactive fun stimulates brain cells and funny bones in equal measure.
Dive into the SEA LIFE Centre for fish fun. Or have a big day out at the Black Country Living Museum. Along with dozens and dozens of other attractions and events, it’s all here.
Top suggestions for Birmingham
and regional days out!
Thinktank
Thinktank is ten themed galleries of immense, inspiring, interactive fun. It’s the most modern of science museums. Investigate everything from full size locomotives and aircraft to intestines and taste buds - but do so with fun as your focus. There’s the awe-inspiring, truly gobsmaking planetarium; using state-of-the-art digital technology to present breathtaking images on a 360° domed ceiling. It puts you at the centre of the action - a totally immersive science experience.
The Jewellery Quarter
The Jewellery Quarter has two free museums - The Museum of the Jewellery Quarter (recently placed in the top 3 European Free Attractions by Trip Advisor) and The Pen Room Museum, several art galleries, over 100 jewellery shops and 200 listed historic buildings, the Quarter is a great place to spend the day.
Cadbury World
Cadbury World is choc full of fun for all ages. That’s why half a million chocolate lovers visit each year; discovering the history, finding out about the magic of chocolate, and of course, seeing how the yummy stuff is made. With two new fantastic attractions, called Cadbury World Essence and Purple Planet, you will be in chocolate heaven.
National SEA LIFE Centre
Let Birmingham's flagship National SEA LIFE Centre take you on a spectacular undersea voyage. Walk through a glass tunnel totally surrounded by an enormous one million litre ocean tank; where giant green sea turtles, black tip reef sharks and tropical reef fish swim inches from your head. It’s just one of 60 displays of freshwater and marine life that create a wonderland for all visitors.
National Trust Back to Back Housing
Birmingham's last surviving court of Back to Back Housing offers a step back in time. This National Trust location is a beautifully restored 19th-century courtyard of working people's houses. It’s a story told through the experiences of the people who lived and worked here over four periods from 1840 to 1977. The design of each interior reflects the varied cultures, religions and professions of the families who made their homes here. Shown by guided tour only, booking is a must.
BBC Birmingham's Public Space
Do you fancy yourself as a TV presenter? Visit BBC Birmingham’s Public Space at The Mailbox and have a go at presenting the news and a weather forecast. Take a look through the window into the television gallery. This is where the BBC Midlands Today team choose shots, cue the studio and keep everything on air! If you’d like to get inside the television gallery and see it up close, a studio tour is for you. Guides will take you into BBC Birmingham and show you around the state-of-the-art studios. Visit here for more information or call 0370 901 1227.
Ikon Gallery
Every first Saturday of the month take the family to the Ikon Gallery for FREE Family Saturdays. Open to all ages, including adults, a
series of hands-on creative activities will engage, challenge and
inspire. There is no need to book, just drop in at any point during the
session. Please note that children should be accompanied by an adult at
all times.
The Black Country Living Museum
The Black Country Living Museum is a world class open air museum; brought to life by costumed characters in an array of original shops, houses, workshops, a school and traditional fairground, all in one canalside village.
Discover the Black Country Heritage, enjoy a ride on a tramcar or explore the underground coalmine. With NEW attractions this year to encounter and enjoy, the past truly comes to life!
Dudley Zoo
Lions and Tigers to Snakes and Spiders - Go Wild at Dudley Zoological Gardens. Come face to face with Lemurs as they roam freely in their woodland home. Walk through a Rainforest to see primates & otters. Watch Brids of Prey as they fly around the Castle. Meet furry friends down on the farm. Learn about the Horrible History of Dudley Castle and hunt for Ghosts! Enjoy animal Creature Features and keeper talks to learn about the important conservation projects we carry out. Bring a picnic or dine in our licensed restaurant. Land train, fair rides, face painting & more.
Twycross Zoo
One of Britain’s major zoos, with a comprehensive collection of primates, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates and fish! Twycross Zoo has over 1,000 animals on show including Bornean Orangutans, Asian Elephants, Inland Bearded Dragons, Northern White-faced Owls, Boa Constrictors, Red-kneed Tarantulas and many more.
There are plenty of other National Trust properties and locations in and around Birmingham including:
- Baddesley Clinton
- Charlecote Park
- Clent Hills
- Hanbury Hall
- Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses
- Moseley Old Hall
- Packwood House
- Wightwick Manor
- Dover’s Hill
More ideas
Looking for Sunday afternoon inspiration for a trip in or around Birmingham? Here’s a few extra ideas. A good number are even free. So you can afford to do more.
- Ackers centre - Europe's leading Urban Outdoor Adventurous Activity Centre
- Aston Hall
- Aston Manor Road Transport Museum Ltd
- Aston Villa Stadium Tours
- Barber Institute of Fine Arts
- Birmingham Cathedral
- Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
- Birmingham Nature Centre
- Birmingham Tours
- Blakesley Hall
- Botanic Garden at Winterbourne
- Castle Bromwich Hall Garden Trust
- Creation climbing wall and skate park
- Dudley Zoological Gardens
- Kenilworth Castle
- The Pen Room Museum
- Royal Air Force Museum Enterprises Ltd
- Royal Birmingham Society of Artists
- Sandwell Valley Park & Farm
- Sarehole Mill
- Selly Manor Museum
- Severn Valley Railway
- Shakespeare’s Stratford
- Snowdome
- Sherborne Wharf Heritage Narrowboats
- Soho House
- Tamworth Castle
- Walk or cycle the Canal network
- Witley Court
- Warwick Castle
Plus, don’t forget, there are many other options. Check out the local theatres for kids productions. Plus Birmingham has offers plenty of cinema, bowling, ice skating and paintballing fun. And did you know swimming is free for kids at many council pools. Check it out.
Get behind the story of Birmingham’s rich history. On a range of enjoyable tours, you can learn the sites, sounds and history with fascinating guided walks or coach trips through some of Birmingham's finest cultural areas.
All sorts of walks for all sorts of ages and interests can be pre-booked or bought at the start of the walk. Including the Tolkien Walk (see where his inspiration came from for Middle Earth) or walks around our network of canals.