Attractions & Days Out

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.

To buy tickets online click here.

IMAX Cinema

Jaw dropping and spectacular; that’s the IMAX Cinema at Millennium Point (in the same building as Thinktank). It’s by far the largest movie screen in the Midlands - high as a five-story building and wide as four buses. And it’s got 3D to bring the action to the very tip of your nose.

Drayton Manor Theme Park

For total family entertainment, visit Drayton Manor Theme Park. New for 2010 is the award winning Happy Feet in the sensational 4D Cinema that uses the latest in technology and film content to ensure the ultimate cinema experience. The theme park is also home to Europe’s first and only Thomas Land™ and some of the biggest, wettest and scariest rides around.  Meanwhile, for lovers of the animal kingdom, Drayton Manor Zoo has more than 100 species from around the world, including big cats, reptiles, and primates.  No wonder it was named Large Visitor Attraction of the Year (West Midlands region) at the 2008 Heart of England Excellence in Tourism Awards.

To buy tickets online click here.

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.

The Public

An exciting creative arts centre in the heart of West Bromwich.  Throughout the year, visitors of all ages are treated to a jam-packed and fun-filled programme of entertaining workshops and activities to excite, delight, and amaze. 

Whether you’re interested in dance, art, music, graphics, photography or learning the tricks of the trade – you’ll find it at The Public!

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.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Glasshouses

Birmingham’s Botanical Gardens isn’t just for grown-ups. Of course, there are fifteen acres of beautiful gardens with the finest collection of exotic and everyday plants in the Midlands. But there’s also wide open spaces, an adventure playground, aviaries alive with chattering birds and a children’s discovery garden (not forgetting plants that kids are unlikely to have seen ever before). It’s a real family treat - from Gran to the grandkids.

Go Ape

Climb the trees and slide across high wires, crawl through tunnels, cross rope bridges, walk the planks and zip down to the ground!  Go Ape is an award-winning high wire forest adventure course of rope bridges, Tarzan swings and zip slides... all set high up in the tree tops.

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 ia 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.

To buy tickets online click here.

Redpoint Climbing Centre

Whether you’re just starting out or an experienced climber, Redpoint Climbing Centre provides spectacular climbing in the heart of Birmingham. The centre is dedicated to climbing and nothing else with over 200 routes spanning all grades, extensive bouldering areas and the famous Rock On climbing shop.

The Raceway Birmingham

The most exhilarating karting experience in the country is on your doorstep! Visit The Raceway Birmingham in Oldbury and experience the largest and only multi-level circuit in the area!  Our circuit is over twice the size of other circuits in the area with the largest elevated track section in the country, giving you the ultimate karting experience. Compete in a Grand Prix against friends or colleagues or just come along to our Arrive & Drive Sessions. Excellent discounts available for students.Laser Tag arena also on site.

Ackers Adventure

Ackers Adventure offers a wide range of adventurous activities for all ages and abilities. Throughout the school holidays we offer Whizz Kids sessions for 8-16yr olds. Visitors can choose from Skiing, Archery, Canoeing or Climbing for only £7 per person per session. All equipment is included and the session is run by a fully qualified instructor. This year we have worked with the BBC to host Thrillseeker Activity Taster Day’s.
All in all a great family day out! Pre booking is essential.

Winterbourne House & Garden

Winterbourne House & Garden is a unique Arts and Craft heritage attraction – set within seven acres of beautiful botanic gardens.

Minutes from Birmingham city centre, Winterbourne is a hidden gem – home to beautiful antiques and over 6,000 plant species. Wander through the woodland walk, stroll through the hazelnut tunnel or simply soak up the tranquillity of this perfectly English Edwardian home.

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.