20 Things To Do In Birmingham!

Welcome Erasmus students! Today I am going to share 20 places and activities that are really worth visiting in Birmingham. I hope that you enjoy them, as well as them being helpful!

1. Walk by the Canal

Whether you are staying in a semi-detached house in Selly Oak, a flat in Five Ways or better in a student halls accommodation, you cannot go to Birmingham without walking by one of the canals in Birmingham. If you didn't know, the city has many canals like those of Venice. Obviously the distribution is different and the water is a little more black, but there are ducks and geese! It is recommended for many reasons, firstly it is a beautiful walk during which you can see ancient bridges and dams made of brick from the Industrial Revolution period (Birmingham was one of the key locations during this period), as well as beautiful corners where you can appreciate the green or simply watch the sunset. Secondly, the route towards the centre of town from the canal is a great option to follow if you aren't in a rush. The canal connects important places such as Selly Oak with Vale Village (another student accommodation) and Five Ways and the centre. Lastly, if you love sport, the canal is a great place to go out running or cycling.

2. The Bullring

Shoppers, this one is for you. You have probably heard of the largest shopping centre in the West Midlands, but for those of you who haven't, I'll tell you all about it. In the "Bullring" there are all of the shops that you are looking for: firstly, the large clothing brand stores, but also there are different places to eat or to drink, as well as peculiar shops like one where you can make a teddy bear (Build-A-Bear). If you need to buy anything related to fashion or technology, the Bullring is the best place for it. Except it is packed on Saturdays. In general it is quite busy, but it is still one of the most iconic buildings in Birmingham. It has a kind of futuristic design, winning one of the most important National prizes for its architecture. Inside it you will find one of the biggest Victoria's Secret stores in the entire world, and it even has walls made of 3D screens... Imagine that! In front of this huge building it has "The Bull", one of the most famous sculptures in Birmingham. It is a bronze statue which is quite large and people always take photos in front of it. It is hilarious to climb on top of it (if you can), I don't think it is allowed but I have done it on occasion and nothing happens, apart from some smiling looks. Here is my photo:

3. Pubs in the city

Once you are in the centre you won't have any problem finding a half-decent pub immediately, where you can order a beer (a pint or nothing). There are quite a few in the area of Newstreet where the Bullring is and the large shops, but without a doubt, there are many more comfy and inviting pubs in the area close to the canal once you have arrived at the centre, past Broadway, towards the main library. To get here I also recommend passing by the canal, if you come from outside in towards the centre, you'll find it. There are loads of pubs around here that aren't even worth naming, you should discover them for yourselves. The only inconvenient thing is the price, the difference between the prices in town and in Selly Oak is quite noticeable, we are talking between 1 and 2 pounds difference... the big bucks.

4. Pubs in Selly Oak

Without a doubt, the pubs in the centre of town are much more glamorous than those in Selly Oak, but the beer is the same and they are next to the uni. Also, in these pubs you can be sure of the university atmosphere every day and they won't steal from you. If you live in Selly Oak, it is very simple, they are located on Bristol Road, the main road going through the area, just before you enter the uni. If you are in student halls of residence, you only need to cross the campus towards Selly Oak and you will find them there. The Goose, Urban Village, and The S'Oak are the most popular and personally, I think they really good. On the next road up you can find the "Bristol Pear", a bit more refined. And as I said before, if you have extra time and want to adventure through Birmingham, I would recommend you to lose yourself in finding new pubs, it is usually worth the hassle. If you live in uni halls, in Vale Village there is also a pub called "Duck and Scholar" which is good, nothing special, but sometimes they are a club. Lastly, if you like sports, you should know that both in the Goose, and in The S'oak, as well as the Duck and Scholar they organise football, rugby and other sports matches.

5. Open Mic Nights

If there's anything great in England, it's the pubs. Not only because of the way they are assembled, their decoration and their paintings, but also because they are very creative! Open Mic Nights are where the owners of the pubs organise bands to play in the evenings, they are usually amateurs but in general they are quite good. The truth is, it is like a luxury to drink beer with live music and your friends. Also, if you like the music, you can do it yourself! This is usually limited to university pubs like those in Selly Oak and it is usually on Thursdays but it can vary. Each pub will announce it themselves.

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6. Quiz Nights

On there other hand, there are things called Quiz Nights that English people love just as much. It is a test that the bar staff create with questions. The participants (guests who want to play) divide themselves into groups, generally by their tables, and they answer the questions. Usually they have prizeslike loads of free beer or a voucher for a meal or a drink. It is another fun excuse to go out with your friends for the evening.

7. Flapper

Flapper is a bit of a different type of pub, next to the canal in the Fiveways area. It is like a place for rock music lovers and has a terrace with views of the canal, snooker tables, great music and a room for live concerts underneath. If you have the opportunity, you need to go to one of these concerts whether it is Flapper or one of the other pubs or places. It is really popular to go to concerts in Birmingham, there are rock nights, reggae, etc. They are really affordable and rarely disappoint. The best way to find these kinds of events is through Facebook, following the pages of the pubs or clubs that you have found, or better, search for them on Google. How simple!

8. Cadbury World

Dear my chocolate lovers, this is your place! It is the Cadbury's Chocolate factory - one of the most well-known brands on a National and International level with a lot of history behind it. Basically, once you are here, go on a tour of where they will explain the different stages of the process and more. It is a really fun visit, something cool to talk about if you visit younger siblings or maybe not so young. The one thing I would say would recommend would be to not have high expectations, as it is not the Willy Wonka factory. But it is quite good, and if you are a lover of chocolate you have to go out of obligation. The visit is super interactive: it starts by walking through super decorated passageways that tell you the history of cocoa since the discovery of it in America until it was marketed in England (which was the first country to do so). Then you get to Birmingham itself, of the 17th century staged in a room that simulates the old factory of Cadburys, and once you're there they put a video on that shows the whole history of Mr. Cadbury from his beginning, all the way to the creation of his empire. I loved it (they also give audio guides in Spanish in case you are going to visit). After this comes the best bit, the visit to the current factory... It is not spectacular per say, it is shown like it is, with the workers in full swing. But what I liked the best wasn't in any show - the best bit was while we walked pass the plants, they offered us little presents of all types of chocolate and they allowed us to choose our own mix of toppings! Super nice! And at the end there was a little train ride through Cadbury world, I wont explain it any more as it is better to see it for yourselves... Once the visit to the factory is over, which leaves a great taste in your mouth (literally), comes THE 3D FILM. With your ticket you are given the option to go to the cinema inside the factory, where you don't get a movie, but a short film of about 20 minutes which is really funny. I had a great time in the cinema: it was so cool! Also, along the outside you can find all the animated characters of Cadburys, here is a photo:

Paint balling

My Erasmus friends and I had the opportunity to go paint balling thanks to a group of Spanish students studying in Birmingham who invited us. It is not in Birmingham, we had to go outside of town a little bit, in total it took us about an hour to arrive, but it was worth it! The university will probably offer you paint balling tickets and also they have them in the Bullring. The business is called Delta Force and you do not need to do more than take a glance online to see what is on offer. I had been paint balling before and the truth is that this place was so much better. The hit is a right bitch but it is so worth it! The problem, instead, is how to get there - for this, Google maps will save your life. You have to get a train and a taxi. It sounds expensive, but if the group is big enough the price isn't too bad. The paint balling is 20 pounds. Within the price that includes 100 extra paint balls and they give you the equipment and the clothes (so that you don't ruin your own). The best bit was seeing everyone dressed for war.. which is exactly what happened. Without a doubt, the battle was hard and the balls sting when you're an easy target like I was. But I would do it again, without a doubt. This is my team:

9. Birmingham Library

The main library in Birmingham is one of the biggest and most modern in Europe. On the outside it is really striking due to the difficulty, creativity and contemporary architecture, just like the other buildings in the centre. Inside you can get lost in the corridors. It is arranged in a wonderful way so that you can concentrate, and it has very comfortable seats. This building, designed to the millimeter, has a Skyline. Its highest floor will offer you one of the best panoramic views you can find in the whole of Birmingham. Furthermore, the last three floors have a terrace, each of them with benches to relax on, enjoy the views or as I did once, eat there. All the terraces are full of greenery, so spending some time there is really relaxing. The library is annexed to the square in front of it, one of the main squares in the city, and it plays with its space with a lot of imagination. Without a doubt, it is a wonderful place, highly recommended both for spending a moment alone and for staying to study or read.

10. The Theatre

If you like going to watch shows, as students you have several options. The first and most obvious option is to look for performances in Birmingham or the surrounding area which is promoted by the Royal Shakespeare Company. Another option is to look at the Symphony Hall billboard, next to Birmingham library, or the Bramall Auditory billboard on the uni campus. There are various types of shows: theatre, opera, concerts... But they are a little bit too expensive for us Erasmus students... That's why I'm going to give you other options that are still just as good, and cheaper. The first and most expensive is the O2 Academy where there are concerts by famous bands, DJ's, or singers (they also organise student nights to go out). The second, and the one that I personally recommend the most, is to attend the performances by the dance and theatre groups that belong to the Students' Guild. You'll get to know the Guild really quickly after you arrive at the uni, it is a building for students where loads of events take place. It also serves as a study/gym for lots of societies where they train or rehearse. Back to performances: when the groups have finished rehearsing, they show them to the public. There are some for free but for most of them you have to pay. It's cheap, something like 7 pounds I think I remember. The way to find out is through the Guild website, by asking in person at the Guild, or by meeting someone who studies drama or belongs to one of the societies. I know it sounds awkward, but it's so easy to ask.

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11. Sports

Generally, it is best to join a uni team. They tend to do some practices at the beginning of term that, depending on the sport, are more or less easy to pass and get signed up. There are loads of team options, from football and basketball, to badminton, volleyball, lacrosse, swimming, water polo, hiking, climbing, athletics, kayaking, etc. Before the start of the course there is a sports fair where you have all the booths and you can ask whatever you want. Usually people are very friendly and will help you as much as they can. If, on the other hand, you want to do sport but not join an official team, you can always go freely. The uni gym has just been renovated, which is a plus. If you don't like the price or the location, there are other gyms to go to such as Pure Gym or Fitness First. You can swim for free (at uni or on Tiverton Road in Selly Oak), go for a run, sign up for Crossfit (Heely Road in Selly Oak), ride a bike and rent football fields from uni for friendly matches. If you're looking to be in a league with friends you can do that without having the commitment of being on the competitive uni team. Finally, despite the fun British climate, Birmingham has amazing parks. Very green and wide spaces where you can train, walk or have a picnic on a sunny day.

12. Climbing

If you like climbing, there are a couple of very cool indoor rock-o-dromes in Birmingham. There's one called the Birmingham Bouldering Centre and another called the Redpoint Climbing Centre. I have visited both, and I personally prefer the second, but both are more than good and the employees are very nice. If you are a climber, it will give you somewhere to go for your weekly training. The basic price is 6 pounds for all day, but on Wednesdays it is half price, and there is a discount if you go before 4 o'clock. For those of you who have never done it before, it is a great way to energise your body, it's really fun and you always end up destroyed and so tired, but with a smile from ear to ear.

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13. Trampolining

Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen... Do you remember those old trampolines with nets that children have in their garden so they can jump non-stop? If you've ever jumped in one of those and had a good time, then you can't miss what I'm going to tell you now... This year they have opened a place called Jumpnation which is about 40 minutes away from Birmingham if you travel there by train. This place is the largest trampoline gym in the whole of Europe and is open to the public. You book (8 pounds per person for two hours if I'm not mistaken) and go with your friends and jump! Its like you have wings! They have basketball courts on the same mats... it's a spectacle! Remember: Jumpnation Birmingham.

14. The Barber Institute of Fine Arts

Curious about culture? Art lovers? At the University of Birmingham, joined with the Students' Guild, you have one of the most recognised Art Museums in the United Kingdom. It is so worth a visit, as it has pieces of modern art of incredible value artistically. You can visit it on whatever day you like while you are at the university. You can visit it quite quickly as it is not too big, but it is certainly not a waste.

15. Meer

If you like tea, shisha and banter with friends, Meer is the perfect place for you! It is a tea-house with a unique style of Turkish delicacies: falafel, chicken, kebabs... these are just a few of the options on its extensive menu. It is a Turkish place with a mixed atmosphere but mostly with peace and banter. From the outside, the place gives off a bit of a bad vibe, but once you're inside you hallucinate. It's in the city behind Newstreet Station, next to a popular bar called Turtle Bay. This has been one of my favourite places in the city. Highly recommended. The decoration is beautiful, here's a picture of me and my friends in this unique place:

16. Spotlight

Located in The Rainbow Venues, a place where loads of events are organised, Spotlight has become the "small Camden" of Birmingham. Set in a bohemian style, DJ's play music and reggae: Spotlight is made up of numerous stands where you can either choose to eat something or go straight onto drinks. It's an event that happens on Fridays. The easiest way to get there is to take a taxi, it will be a cheap one if you're in a group. Otherwise there is always the option of catching the train and walking, which never hurts. The inconvenient thing about Spotlight is that it is outdoors and Birmingham is cold.

17. German Markets

From the start of November to the end of December, Newstreet, the Town Hall Square and the Library Square are filled with precious stands where to you can buy sweets, accessories, decorations, food, beer and hot wine. A bit weird, no? This is Birmingham's German Christmas Market, the largest German market outside of Germany. It's all decorated with Christmas decorations, with garlands and Santa Claus' everywhere: it's very cosy! In the town hall square people usually eat and drink and they put a Santa Claus singing in the watchtower, and there is a party. It is highly recommended to go and have hot wine - called mulled wine.

Ah! They also put in an ice rink which is not bad at all, if you know how to skate well!

18. The Custard Factory

This is a corner of the city that is very particular. Located about 10 minutes walk past the Bullring, there is this strange street with a huge sculpture of a man-tree, increible paintings on the walls, all clashing with the industrial style of Birmingham. There is an art gallery and a pub that is worth visiting, despite its extremely high prices. If you ask for 'The Custard Factory' you will find it in the middle of this street. It is called 'The Custard Factory' because it is an old cream factory... It doesn't take too long to see all of it, and it's worth it for its incredible atmosphere. If you go to Birmingham you have to see it.

19. The night-life in Birmingham

As for the night-life in Birmingham I don't want to reveal too much to you, as I'm sure you'll discover it on your own. Anyway, I will tell you the main bits so that you can have a little bit of an idea: in the city, the nightlife is mainly located on a street called Broadway. There are different clubs there, but the best is Players. Then we have Snobs in another part of the city, next to China Town, and finally Fab, which is organised by the Students' Guild on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Now, there are many more places to go out. What happens is that there are events on Tuesdays for example, called "stupid Tuesdays", that event is usually in Players every Tuesday, but it can change. So when it comes to going out, the night does not depend so much on the venue as much as the event. Then there are the famous house parties. If you're going to live in or around Selly Oak, you'll end up being a victim of these events. They're parties in the students' homes. So when it comes to going out, there are loads of options. Even so, I am going to recommend certain events and clubs in particular: Snobs, Stupid Tuesdays, Fab, Sportsnight, Tektu, Rainbow, Propaganda and Itchy Feet. Best of all, at the end of the night there is never a shortage of places to eat.

20. Cinema on sofas

Very close to Newstreet there is a peculiar cinema called the Electric cinema. It is a cinema with sofas instead of armchairs! They show the same films as a normal cinema, but you can order food and drink like you are in a restaurant, and enjoy the film lying down. It is an ideal place to take someone special, or simply to feel like a gentleman watching the movie. The downside is the price because it is more expensive, but given the service and how amazing it is, it is worth going at least once. Highly recommended!

Love,

Elena.

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