Bustling Bullring To Beautiful Boutiques

Love a bit of retail therapy? You’ve come to the right place! Birmingham boasts an impressive array of shopping, whether you’re after high-street favourites or those high-end labels. As the Midlands’ most visited retail and leisure destination, Bullring is home to flagship store Selfridges; a treasure trove of designer delights, housed within a modern architectural masterpiece. You’ll also find a supersized M&S, the UK’s second Nike Rise in Rotunda Square, and the newly-opened Pull&Bear.

A short walk from Bullring is the city’s Primark – officially named in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest fashion retail store in the world. Yes, it really is that big … with more than 160,000sq ft of shopping over five floors, it boasts cafés, a beauty studio and even a vintage department.

Away from the big names, you can discover Birmingham’s burgeoning independent scene. There’s the historic Piccadilly Arcade, with boutiques, gift shops, beauty salons and jewellers; the elegant Burlington Hotel, right next to Apple on New Street; and the Great Western Arcade, which oozes Victorian charm, award-winning retailers and top-class eateries.

Mailbox offers something for everyone, with premium retailers, a range of restaurants, hotels and canal towpath walks to keep the insta grid topped up.

On Cannon Street you’ll find stylish eyewear at J.Hyde and menswear at Slater Menswear, plus salons, meeting and conference spaces at The Studio and glorious architecture to enjoy.

FANTASTIC FOOD AND DRINK

Whether it’s award-winning fine dining or up-and-coming street food options, central Birmingham offers a world of fantastic cuisine and cocktails in a booming food and drink scene.

Head to Temple Street for the best bars and restaurants such as The Botanist, The Ivy bistro and Head of Steam, or nearby Bennetts Hill for Rudy’s and Franco Manca Pizza.

On Waterloo Street there’s a dining experience like no other at Adam’s and classic pies aplenty at Pieminister.

Over on John Bright Street you can enjoy brilliant brunches at Cherry Reds, craft beers at Brewdog and more mouthwatering pizza options at The Stable.

Exciting ExperienceS FOR ALL

For those seeking adventure, the city is brimming with adrenaline-pumping activities. Test your skills at Treetop Adventure Golf or lace up your bowling shoes at Lane7, both in Bullring. For advanced virtual reality, check out Sandbox VR at Grand Central, and Otherworld on Bennetts Hill with immersive experiences and interactive games.

Sports fans can head to Sixes Social Cricket at Mailbox, darts bar Flight Club, Temple Street, and retro-inspired pinball games/craft beer at Tilt, City Arcade.

ImmersE Yourself in THE CITY SIGHTS

As one of the UK’s leading cultural hubs, Birmingham certainly celebrates its rich heritage and creativity. The Alexandra Theatre, Rep and Hippodrome theatres and world-class Town Hall and Symphony Hall offer an impressive line-up of musicals, shows and A-list performances; or you can catch the big blockbusters at The Everyman Cinema, Mailbox or where elevating your viewing with luxurious seating and gourmet snacks is a must or Odeon New Street with its rich history in music and special promotions suchs as £5 movies.

Now open at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery’s Gas Hall is Victorian Radicals, a comprehensive exhibition of the city’s Pre-Raphaelite and Arts & Crafts collections. It features vibrant paintings and exquisite drawings alongside jewellery, glass, textiles and metalwork.

For public art, there’s Antony Gormley’s iconic Iron:Man statue, standing proud over Victoria Square. Here you’ll also find the “Floozie in the Jacuzzi” fountain. Nicknamed by locals, this monumental figure was designed by artist Dhruva Mistry as part of the artwork River, Youth, Guardians and Objects.

Celebrating creativity and innovation, Birmingham’s Custard Factory has become a canvas for vibrant graffiti art. It’s a showcase of local and international artists, adding a dynamic element to this historic industrial complex. Each spray-painted masterpiece tells a story, reflecting the spirit of urban culture and contributing to the vibrant atmosphere of the city’s creative quarter.

A short stroll is the world-famous Jewellery Quarter, now making a name for itself for its growing arts scene, great restaurants and bars. An estimated 40% of British jewellery is still made here at specialist retailers and workshops. It’s a Conservation Area too, with more than 200 listed buildings lining its streets, including the beautiful St Paul’s Church, Chamberlain Clock and Warstone Lane Cemeteries, where many of Birmingham’s famous statesmen are buried. Make sure you visit the fascinating Coffin Works museum, dedicated to the city’s long history of coffin making.

Getting to Central Birmingham

With excellent transport links, the city is well-served by rail connections, with Birmingham New Street station as a major hub. Additionally, an expanding tram network provides convenient access to key destinations, while regular bus services ensure easy connections throughout the city and beyond.

There’s also bike and e-scooter hire schemes, perfect for exploring its vibrant streets and scenic canal towpaths – a fun and eco-friendly way to navigate your way around. Having said that, with so many attractions and districts within easy walking distance, the city is perfect for exploring on foot too.

Accommodation for Every Budget

If you’re looking to extend your stay there’s no shortage of choice, from the stylish apartments at Staying Cool in the Rotunda building, beautiful Macdonald Burlington opposite New Street station, to the contemporary comforts of Staybridge Suites on Corporation Street and AC Hotel by Marriott at Mailbox.

For luxury opt for the chic ambiance of Malmaison, while budget-conscious visitors can enjoy comfort and convenience at a number of Travelodge and Premier Inn locations and an EasyHotel on John Bright Street.

For more information and events in central Birmingham head to Visit Birmingham.