Birmingham offers a surprising number of free activities and attractions if you know where to look. As a major city – the UK’s second-largest, and cultural hub in the West Midlands region, Brum (as we locals call it) has beautiful parks, fascinating museums, historic sites, and lively markets to explore without spending a penny.
Having been born and raised in Birmingham, I love seeking out free things to do whenever I get the chance. It lets me stretch my budget further so I can enjoy more experiences. And you often discover local gems that tourists miss. Birmingham is especially rewarding for free exploration.
You might be wondering:
What are the best free attractions and activities in Birmingham? What hidden gems and local spots can I find that won’t cost me anything? How can I truly experience the culture and character of the city on a budget?
I’ve practically grown up in this city, and in this guide, I’ll share exactly how you can enjoy this vibrant city without emptying your wallet. From green spaces and public art to some of the UK’s top museums with free entry, you’ll be surprised by how much is available.
I’ll also provide transportation tips, lesser-known things to do, and advice on how to take advantage of free walking tours. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Exploring Birmingham’s Best Parks and Canals
Birmingham has so many lush, lovely parks that showcase local wildlife and provide open green spaces amidst the city landscape.
I recommend starting your explorations at Cannon Hill Park, located just outside the city center. Its 250 acres contain lakes, play areas, sports fields, and even a mini farm you can visit! The park often hosts free events like open-air theater performances and music festivals too.
While you’re there, check out the park’s Midlands Arts Centre which has free art exhibits. And walk along the River Rea which flows through the park.
Not too far away in central Birmingham, Victoria Square provides a nice urban park space. There’s a beautiful central marble fountain, colorfully planted flowerbeds, and several public art sculptures. Events like craft fairs and music shows frequently happen there too. It’s lovely for picnics or people-watching!
Sutton Park is a real natural gem on the northeast side of the city. The country park encompasses over 2,000 acres of woodlands, wetlands, and lakes. You’ll feel worlds away from the city bustle while hiking miles of trails and encountering wildlife like deer. Bring a picnic or visit one of the park’s cafes.
In downtown Birmingham, the Birmingham Canal Network threads through the heart of the city with lovely walking paths alongside. You’ll find tons of info boards explaining the history and heritage of these canals too. There are multiple access points to start exploring from, like near Brindley Place or Sherbourne Wharf.
Did you know that Birmingham has more canals than Venice? For more fun Brum facts, check out these interesting facts about Birmingham
While getting around town, keep an eye out for smaller green pockets like St Paul’s Square or the mini Secret Garden on Waterloo Street. Birmingham has done an amazing job incorporating green spaces throughout the concrete jungle!
Must-See Museums with Free Entry
One of the best deals in Birmingham is the astounding selection of free museums loaded with artifacts and interactive exhibits.
The impressive Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery in the city core hosts world-class collections of art, local history items, weaponry, artifacts, and plenty more. I love their Edward Burne-Jones exhibit and a large collection of Pre-Raphaelite artworks. And the Museum’s Tea Room has been voted one of Britain’s best!
Fashion lovers need to check out Birmingham Museum’s Store which just underwent a multi-million pound expansion. Their vast galleries trace 400 years of fashion history through over 12,000 clothing items. And there are cool spaces like a recreated 1950s street scene. I could wander for hours!
The Pen Museum offers a quirky free attraction exploring the history of pens! Their collection has over 5,000 items showcasing fountain pens, ballpoints, dip pens and the evolution of writing implements. You can even try your hand at calligraphy during one of their demonstrations.
I’d also recommend The Coffin Works, an eerie but fascinating museum located in the Jewellery Quarter area. One of the top highlights of the West Midlands, this small museum is housed in an original 1890s coffin fittings factory, one of only two left in the UK. You can learn about the city’s history with mass funeral production and see displays of vintage coffins and caskets. It feels a bit spooky but provides awesome insight into a unique Birmingham industry.
With amazing parks, intriguing canal paths, and free world-class museums, you’ll have no shortage of activities to fill your time in Birmingham! Next I’ll cover some hidden local favorites and how to take free walking tours to dive deeper into the city.
Local Favorites – Markets, Theater, and More
Birmingham has destination-worthy attractions, but some of my favorite memories came from quirkier local spots and happenings.
The Bullring Markets operates several outdoor markets in the city center with lots of vibrant energy! Each market has different opening days and themes, covering farmer’s markets, craft fairs, secondhand goods, food stalls, and more.
Grab some piping hot street food and hunt for bargains at the rag markets or antique markets.
The Library of Birmingham is another awesome free option right in the city center. It’s one of Europe’s largest public libraries with an eye-catching exterior and light-filled modern interior. There are sometimes free exhibits, author talks or workshops happening too. And of course, it’s full of reading nooks where you can relax for hours.
For some performing arts, snag same-day standby tickets at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre box office and see what productions may have open seats.
You can catch comedy acts, dramas, musicals, or even ballet for free or at highly discounted rates.
The end of August sees the city overtaken by Birmingham Weekender – the biggest festival of the year, another free event where artists, dancers, and street performers from around the world come and deliver unique and head-turning performances in squares, on the streets, and outdoor stages all over Birmingham!
Try timing your visit for the annual Artsfest event each September – it offers tons of free concerts, street theatre, art activities, and more across multiple venues.
In December, get into the holiday spirit at the Frankfurt Christmas Market held right outside the iconic Birmingham Library building. It’s full of charming wooden cabins selling gifts, ornaments, food, and drinks in a traditional German-style Christmas market. Entry is free and I love the live music and entertainment too!
By keeping your eyes and ears open in Birmingham, you’re bound to stumble upon awesome free events, exhibits, theater or library happenings. The City of a Thousand Trades always has something fun brewing!
One of my favorite things to do in Birmingham is wandering the cobbled streets and hidden alleyways of Digbeth and discovering the impressive street art murals that evoke powerful messages reflecting the social issues of the city’s marginalized citizens.
Taking Advantage of Free Walking Tours
One of my favorite travel activities is joining up with free walking tours in various cities. Not only are they free (you just tip what you feel is fair) but you get loads of hidden insight from knowledgeable local guides!
Jewellery Quarter Walking Tours run weekly and explore Birmingham’s famous jewelry hub with over 800 jewelry businesses. It has centuries of heritage but also cutting-edge modern workshops and the UK’s largest cluster of Assay offices.
As you walk the quarters, you’ll learn all about goldsmithing history and have chances to see artisans at work today behind the scenes!
Experience more of Birmingham’s evolution into an industrial superpower, join a Gas Street Basin Tour. Your walk includes the city center canal network, the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, St. Paul’s Square, and historic steel manufacturing hubs.
Along the way, your guide will point out filming locations for hit shows Peaky Blinders and Line of Duty too!
Walking tours like these let you take advantage of knowledgeable guides while discovering Birmingham for free. Just be sure to come prepared with good walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing and small bills to tip your guide if you enjoy the experience!
2-Day Sample Itinerary
Now here is a 2-day sample itinerary of free things to do in Birmingham:
Day 1 – Morning
Start your first day by exploring Cannon Hill Park. Walk or take the bus there and wander along the trails, lakes, and fields. Visit the mini farm to see sheep, goats and pigs up close.
Afternoon
Head downtown to the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Spend a few hours admiring their impressive collections of artifacts, fine art, weaponry, and more. Be sure to see the Pre-Raphaelite works and stop for a bite in their highly-rated museum Tea Room.
Evening
Walk over to Victoria Square to enjoy this central city garden space. Snap some photos by the marble fountain and look for any evening events happening in the Square. Then make your way to the Bullring Markets to try tasty street food at the outdoor stalls while soaking in the vibrant ambiance.
Day 2 – Morning
Ride the bus a bit out of the city center for a free walking tour of Sutton Park. A knowledgeable local guide will lead you along the many woodland trails and wetlands, explaining the wildlife and heritage of this vast parkland.
Afternoon
Head back into town for lunch at one of the Bullring Market food stalls, then walk over to the Library of Birmingham. Spend a quiet afternoon exploring Europe’s largest public library, finding cozy reading nooks, and taking advantage of any author talks or workshops happening that day.
Evening
In the early evening, stop by the Birmingham Repertory Theatre to try your luck at same-day standby tickets for their current show lineup. Fingers crossed you score cheap tickets to a fantastic performance to end your trip!
With these activity suggestions, you’ll get to know beautiful green Birmingham and its vibrant culture scene without pinching pennies. Enjoy!
Final Tips for Saving Money
To wrap up this budget guide for enjoying Birmingham, here are some of my top money-saving suggestions:
- For cheap public transit, invest in a prepaid Travelcard pass or make use of buses which are more affordable than trains
- Look for weekly hotel deals that offer free breakfasts to help cut down food costs
- Visit on weekdays when attractions are less crowded and more likely to have special offers
- Pack snacks and a reusable water bottle to minimize spending while out sightseeing
- Check venues’ websites to find free performances and exhibits on their event calendars
Insider Tip: Birmingham has a unique local dialect known as “Brummie”, featuring words and pronunciations you won’t find anywhere else in Britain.
I recommend picking up a few common Brummie slang terms like “babby” (baby), “cob” (bread roll) or “wench” (young woman) so you can chat like a local!
For more slang words and phrases, head over to my Brummie Slang Guide for Visitors
Wrapping Up
To recap, Birmingham offers outstanding parks, trails, museums, heritage sites, and captivating culture to discover on even the tightest budget.
Use public transit passes, prepare snacks, and keep your eye out for free events to enjoy this world-class city affordably. Where will your Birmingham explorations take you?
Free Things to Do in Birmingham FAQs:
What are the best parks in Birmingham to explore for free?
Cannon Hill Park offers 250 acres with lakes, sports areas, mini farm and more. Victoria Square provides a nice city center park space with fountains, flowers and art. Sutton Park encompasses over 2,000 acres of woodlands, wetlands and trails.
Does Birmingham have any free museums worth visiting?
Yes, don’t miss the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery with its world-class art collections. The Museum Store showcases 400 years of fashion history. And the Pen Museum explores the quirky history of writing implements.
Where can I find info on free events happening in Birmingham?
Follow venues like the Birmingham Rep Theatre, Mac Birmingham arts centre, and the Town Hall Symphony Hall to look for free exhibits, author talks, drama standby tickets, and concerts.
Are there free walking tours available to take in Birmingham?
Yes, book a free tour with Guided Walking Birmingham. Top options cover the city center, jewellery quarter heritage, and canal/industrial history. Just tip what you feel is fair.
What about saving money on food and accommodation?
Look for hotel deals with free breakfasts included. Bring snacks and a water bottle while out sightseeing. And visit street markets like those at the Bullring for cheap bites.
How can I get around Birmingham affordably?
Buying a prepaid travel card for bus and metro offers big savings over individual tickets. Buses provide the cheapest option to get around.
What times of year provide the best free things to do in Birmingham?
Aim for weekdays when attractions are less crowded and more likely to offer specials. September offers the free Artsfest event and Frankfurt Christmas Market livens December.
Recommended by Billy of Brbgonesomewhereepic
Billy is a full-time global gallivanter, digital nomad, travel hacker, coffee fanatic, etc. born and raised in the heart of England.
Pin it for Later!
There is 1 comment