Attractions

Something to do everyday

Birmingham has 365 days worth of attractions. Here’s your first few.

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.

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 has it all. 280 acres with white knuckle action through to Europe’s first land of Thomas the Tank engine. Apocalypse (Britain’s scariest ride - ask The Times) is pushed close by Shockwave - Europe’s only stand up rollercoaster. There’s G-Force, Maelstrom and many more of the biggest, wettest and edgiest rides around. There are rides for young tots and for Gran. And the roar of big cats in the zoo - no wonder it was ‘Best UK Attraction 2006’ (Group Leisure).

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.

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.

Looking for roaring fun and adventure? Then track down the UK’s only African Big Five - exclusively at West Midlands Safari Park. See elephants, rhinos, lions and new 'Cape Buffalo’. Catch up with the new cheetahs. Then the leopards, white lions and white Bengal Tigers. Get close to zebras, wild dogs, wallabies, wolves, camels and all kinds of deer. Plus, there are always new cubs or ‘little ‘uns for your little ‘uns to see. Ahhh. And don’t miss the petting zoo and reptile house. Then finish with a laugh on funfair rides for the whole family.

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.

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.

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
• BBC Birmingham
• Birmingham Botanical Gardens & Glasshouses
• 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
• Museum of the Jewellery Quarter
• 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
• Teamworks Karting
• 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.