6 Free Things to Do in Birmingham
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Birmingham is a fantastic place to live as a student. There are loads of fun activities for students in Birmingham, and as the youngest city in Europe and three universities within an hour of the city centre. It is certain there is a lot going on to attract and excite younger people.
This youthful, energetic vibe is exciting for new students to the city as this means nights out, enjoying arts and culture, the fantastic food scene in Birmingham and so much more. The great transport links also make it a great central hub to see much more of the country easily.
Although there are loads of great things to do in Birmingham that might cost you some money, luckily there are also some incredible free things to do in Birmingham, and that’s what we’ll focus on here.
1. A walking tour of the canals
You might not know this, but when people talk about cities that have the most canals in the world, you should be looking closer to home than Venice.
That’s right, there are actually more miles of canal in Birmingham (35 miles) than there is in Venice (26 miles)!
For free things to do in Birmingham, you could do a lot worse than go for a leisurely stroll along some of the restored sections of the canal as you learn about the city and get to know the different areas.
A walk along the canals and throughout the urban areas of Birmingham brings the iconic skyline into focus, taking in St. Philip’s Cathedral, Birmingham Central Mosque and the massive Selfridges building bringing together historic and modern culture.
2. Take a stroll around Digbeth
The Creative Quarter is one of the coolest spots for students in Birmingham.
The Digbeth area is well known to be a place that attracts the cool kids, the artists, the musicians, writers and the like.
There are plenty of things that you can pay to experience in this part of the city, such as great food, second-hand clothes stores, and the exhibitions and vintage cool of the Custard Factory, but because of how effortlessly cool the entire area is, it’s just a fantastic place to walk around and soak it all in.
3. Free concerts at Symphony Hall
Home to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Hall is a stunning piece of architecture and widely renowned for its outstanding acoustics.
It hosts a really diverse range of concerts each year, and there are even some free events that you can take advantage of.
So, if you want to sit back, relax, and discover some fantastic music, from classical music and jazz to folk and other genres, keep an eye out for the free concert listings for Symphony Hall.
4. Read up on the great Library of Birmingham
A visit to the library isn’t just about study. A truly stunning place to visit in Birmingham on Centenary Square is the Library that also has an outdoor amphitheatre, surrounded by wildflowers.
There is also a space that is used for free performances throughout the year, including live music, poetry readings, and storytelling.
Two outdoor garden terraces complement this space, along with a panoramic viewing gallery that is one of the highest points in the city.
It’s a really unique place for any city, but definitely a free space that you must explore in such a densely packed urban area.
5. Free art to soothe the soul
Art restores our soul and helps us to expand our minds and find new possibility in the world.
Free museums and art galleries are important parts of the culture in this country, and you should always try to take advantage of free art wherever you live.
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery has a range of exciting exhibits you can explore. Other free galleries and museums can be found in the Ikon Gallery, Lapworth Museum of Geology, Warwickshire County Cricket Club Museum, and the Barber Institute of Fine Arts.
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6. Take to the parks
Tips on free things to do in Birmingham wouldn’t be complete without mentioning some of the marvellous parks within the city boundaries. We all need some form of escape to nature and green spaces, especially if we live in a big city, and Birmingham has some good examples of this.
Eastside City Park
Eastside City Park was the first urban park in Birmingham for 130 years. The park includes trees, large green spaces, public squares alongside the canal and the Science Garden, which forms part of the Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum.
Cannon Hill Park
One of the best parks in the city, full of beautiful lakes, trees and flowers. You’ll find tennis courts, bowling and putting greens for the sporting enthusiasts, alongside walking and cycle routes along the River Rea. For those after some more nature, there is a 5-acre woodland known as the ‘RSPB Centenary Plantation’ that is a conservation area.
Winterbourne House and Garden
A grand old Edwardian home that has been restored to its former glory, this is a unique heritage house just minutes outside the city centre. There are splendid botanic gardens within the grounds that is home to over 6,000 plant species from around the world, a 1930s Japanese Bridge, and a peaceful woodland walk.
Sutton Park
One of the largest urban parks in the whole of Europe, this 2,400 National Nature Reserve is home to open heathland, woodlands, wetlands, marshes, and seven lakes. There is so much nature to explore, with a variety of wildlife and plants, cattle and ponies grazing on the land. It is a lovely escape from the city for a day out walking.
There are plenty of free things to do in Birmingham, as you can see above. Alongside the great museums, libraries, parks, and free events, keep an eye out for other attractions and events throughout the year, including Christmas events in Birmingham, which are always an exciting and popular way to mark the end of the year .
