Birmingham is a great city for students, making it no surprise that the city is home to five universities and numerous colleges and sixth forms. To help you find something fun to do, here are the 10 best things for students to do in Birmingham.
1. Botanical Gardens
Westbourne Rd, Birmingham B15 3TR
What is it? Birmingham’s historical botanical gardens are full of exotic plants, beautiful glasshouses and a tropical house.
Why go? The botanical gardens are a great place to visit on a sunny afternoon, as you can explore the gardens, smell the exotic flowers, whilst learning about the benefits of plants. Plus, the gardens have their own tea room, garden centre and regularly host live music events for the community.
How much? Adult tickets cost £6.75 but if you have a valid student ID, concession tickets are just £4.72.
If you’re searching for more things to do outside, we’ve got a great list of outdoor activities in Birmingham.
2. Hockley Social Club
Hockley Social Club is a laid-back food hall that doubles as a bar, event venue, and coffee shop. It’s known as a go-to spot for late-night gatherings and is brought to you by the same team behind Digbeth Dining Club. You usually don’t need to book a reservation for your visit.
As one of the cool places in Birmingham, there’s lots to do here. You can choose from live events like comedy shows and music, a lifestyle market and art, coffee, record stores. It’s a great place to hang out and be among the coolest people in Birmingham just doing their creative thing.
Address: 60 Hampton St, Birmingham B19 3LU
3. Cow Vintage
If thrift shopping is your thing, then Cow Vintage is certainly the place for you. Located in a large warehouse in Digbeth, you can shop for absolutely anything in there, including clothes, shoes, books and records. Their collection of clothes is huge and so, whatever your style or budget, you’ll probably find something there for you.
Although probably the largest, Cow Vintage is also surrounded by other thrift stores, so why not make a day of it? Digbeth is a great place to shop for clothes if you prefer a more sustainable approach to clothing.
Address: 82 Digbeth Hill St, Birmingham, B5 6DY
4. Birmingham Back to Backs
Run by the National Trust, Birmingham Back to Backs (otherwise known as Court 15) is the last remaining West Midlands ‘Court’ – a type of housing where houses were built quickly for little money. Built ‘back to back’, they were popular in the 1830s/40s due to the growing populations in cities. Volunteers at the site explain to visitors what it was like to live in these houses during four different time periods, starting in the 1830s and working up to 1977. They delve into the lives of some of the people who lived there and guests can take a tour of the buildings.
If historical trips are your thing, then this is definitely one for your list. Back to Backs provides a fascinating insight into Birmingham’s history and into the wider social history of the UK.
Address: 55-63 Hurst St, Birmingham, B5 4TE
5. Bear Grylls Adventure Centre
National Exhibition Center, Halls, Marston Green, Birmingham B40 1NT
What is it? The adventure centre is located in the heart of Birmingham and is full of fun and exciting things to do with your friends.
Why go? There are so many different activities to try at the centre, including climbing, high ropes, assault courses, shark dives and even the iFly centre where you can try indoor sky diving!
How much? Prices depend on the activity you choose. However, if you book online in advance you can usually get a discount of up to 20% ticket price. You can also book the centre through Virgin Experience days, where students also get a discount through UNIDAYS.
6. Ghetto Golf Birmingham
The Custard Factory, Gibb St, Deritend, Birmingham B9 4AA
What is it? A crazy golf course that feels more like a night club than a typical golf course.
Why go? Playing crazy golf is fun, but add some neon lights, music, cocktails and arcade games and it becomes an experience like no other. Some parts of the course glow in the dark, and there is even a party bus in the course!
How much? From £20, you can choose one of the great packages available. However, if you have valid student ID, you can play for £6.50pp Sunday – Thursday and after 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays. This makes it an incredible cheap and easily one of the best things to do for students in Birmingham. There’s also great drink offers for students, such as £3 mocktails, £6 cocktails, and £4.50 slushes.
7. Cadbury World
Linden Rd, Birmingham B30 1JR
What is it? A museum and experience that will teach you about the history and future of Cadburys chocolate.
Why go? A trip to Cadbury World is the perfect way to spend a rainy day in Birmingham, especially if you forgot to do the food shop, as you get free chocolate when you enter and usually during the tour as well. Plus, you will get a sample pot of melted chocolate with a selection of treats towards the end of the tour.
How much? A standard adult ticket costs £19, but with valid student ID, you can get a student ticket for £16. However, make sure to book on the website to get the best deal as at the moment they are offering £10 student tickets.
8. Virtual Reality Arena
UTILITA ARENA, North Car Park, ST Vincent Street, Birmingham, B1 2AA
What is it? The Birmingham Virtual Reality Arena will transport you to a virtual reality full of games, challenges and experiences, making it no surprise it’s one of the best things to do in Birmingham for students.
Why go? At the VR arena, there are plenty of games and experiences for you and your friends to choose from. Including the zero-latency VR experience, the VR arcades, and they even have escape rooms! All of which range in age requirement and difficulty.
How much? Prices range depending on the games and experiences you choose, but generally they are anything from £14.95. However, they also have some great deals on Virgin Experience Days, where students can get an additional discount with UNIDAYS.
9. Ikon Gallery
If you like modern art, this is the place for you. Not only is it tucked away in a beautiful site just off Broad Street, The Ikon Gallery hosts exhibits by artists on the cutting edge of contemporary art. They have most recently hosted an exhibit by Kristoff Kintera (The End of Fun), which has proven hugely popular with local art fans. They aren’t shy about unconventional pieces – Kintera’s exhibit featured motion-triggered moving sculptures and rather eerie disembodied noises – so it is particularly great for any art students looking to push the boundaries.
Ikon Gallery is also home to a branch of York’s Cafe, a popular location for group or independent study sessions. It is comfy and well-lit, close to a range of other cool places in the city if you wanted to make a day of it.
Address: 1 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, Birmingham, B1 2HS
10. Moseley Art Market
Moseley is an all-round cool place to be, and there are too many things to list individually here, but the Moseley Art Market is a great opportunity to explore local art and artists and show them support. Their rules mean that everything sold at the market is made by the stallholder and has not been bought or imported from elsewhere. They host the market on the final Saturday of the month alongside the Farmers’ Market. It is a great opportunity to get to know local art and to find something truly unique for gifts or keepsakes.
Moseley is great if you are looking to pursue a more sustainable lifestyle. Alongside the markets, they have a range of vegetarian and vegan restaurants and cafes that serve delicious, locally made and produced food.
Address: 179 Alcester Rd, Moseley Village, B13 8JR
11. Sarehole Mill
Sarehole Mill has a number of claims to fame that make a day out here worthwhile. It is said to have helped inspire a number of locations in Tolkien’s work, as well as having been used by Matthew Boulton, a leader in the industrial revolution in the Midlands. Guests can explore the courtyards and the mill itself, with volunteers explaining the history of the site and the functions it would have had as a working mill.
They also have an on-site bakery where guests can enjoy their ‘Pizza in the Courtyard’. Freshly made on-site, it is a great addition to a day out at Sarehole Mill. They also serve the community by baking their own bread on-site, both for sale in their community shop and available to order.
All in all, a great place to visit to find out more about Birmingham’s fascinating history.
Address: Cole Bank Rd, Birmingham, B13 0BD
12. Pen Museum
Okay, so most people don’t immediately think ‘pen museum’ when they think of cool places in Birmingham. It is fairly niche, but it makes for an interesting and very unique day out. Located in the historical Jewellery Quarter, the Pen Museum opened in 2001 as an homage to Birmingham’s highly successful pen trade. One of the points that the museum stresses is that it was mostly women involved in manufacturing pens, unusual for the time. Guests can explore the old factories where gold nibs were produced, learn about the process of making the pens and about the pen trade in Birmingham.
It won’t be everyone’s cup to tea, but is it not often that you’ll find something this unique right at your doorstep.
Address: Unit 3, 60 The Argent Centre, Frederick St, Birmingham, B1 3HS
13. Coffin Works
As morbid as it sounds, the Coffin Works has a very interesting history and it is well worth a visit. Guests can explore the factories where the Newman Brothers ran their successful Coffin Works in the mid-20th Century, including the process of producing furnishings for funerals and the history of the company. The original machinery has been restored to working order, so guests can also see exactly how the original owners would have done things.
These sorts of businesses don’t often become museums, so it is a rare insight into an interesting industry and into the history of the Jewellery Quarter. There are plenty of great sites in this area of Birmingham, so it is a great place for a day trip to see some really unusual pieces of history.
Students can also get a concession ticket here, meaning you’ll save money compared to standard adult prices. They’re also regularly looking for volunteers, where you’ll be able to explore different roles. These include front of house, room enabler, tour guides, and more. This is a great way to enhance your CV.
Address: 13 Fleet St, Birmingham, B3 1JP
14. The Jekyll and Hyde
Birmingham is well known for its wealth of cocktail bars. The Jekyll and Hyde serve delicious, creative cocktails with a twist – they are a Victorian-themed bar. Their drinks are colourful and bright and each one is named after some aspect of Stevenson’s famous novel. From the outside, the bar is both unassuming and bright purple. But inside, you will be hard-pressed not to be amazed by the beautiful bar and attention that goes into their drinks.
If you want to learn for yourself what goes into making these creations, they also run cocktail masterclasses on Saturdays where guests can try their hand at making some of the Jekyll and Hyde’s best-loved drinks.
Address: 28 Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham, B4 6BJ
15. A trip on the canals
Sherborne St, Birmingham B16 8FN
What is it? A canal tour around the city of Birmingham and the neighbouring areas.
Why go? There are over 300 miles of historic canals in and around Birmingham, so taking a tour on a narrowboat or renting a boat yourself is a great way to explore the city and part of the West Midlands. A trip on the canal boat is also one of the 10 best cheap date ideas you can do in Birmingham!
How much? Prices will depend if you rent a boat, join a tour, and which company you buy from. However, Sherborne Wharf offer daily public boat trips multiple times a day, where adult tickets cost £8.
16. Escape Hunt Birmingham
120-122 Corporation St, Birmingham B4 6SX
What is it? The Escape Hunt is a centre full of escape rooms for you and your friends to enjoy whilst solving problems and improving teamwork.
Why go? Escape Hunt has a selection of escape rooms for you to try, including Doctor Who Worlds Collide, The Fourth Samurai, Our Finest Hour and Blackbeard’s Treasure.
How much? Student ticket prices can be anything from £17 to £25 per person, but the more players there are, then the cheaper your tickets will be. Don’t forget to bring a valid student ID!
17. National Sea Life Centre
Eleven Brindley Place, The Water’s Edge, Birmingham B1 2HL
What is it? The National Sea Life Centre is your chance to explore the underwater world and learn more about the animals that live there.
Why go? There is so much to see at the centre, from different types of jellyfish, sharks and turtles, to the UK’s only 360° ocean tunnel! There is also an Antarctic landscape where you can watch penguins play as well as a mammal rescue facility. Plus, the United States Fishing and Wildlife Service granted the centre a special permit to home the first pair of sea otters in the UK.
How much? A standard adult ticket costs £20.65, but a student ticket is £18, but make sure to book online to get the best price and then bring a valid student ID card on the day.
18. Moonlight Cinema
Luna Springs, Digbeth Arena, Lower Trinity Street, Birmingham B9 4AG
What is it? The Moonlight Cinema is an modern outdoor cinema right in the heart of Birmingham.
Why go? Every night there is a film playing at the outdoor cinema, making it a great spot for you and your friends. Plus, it’s cheaper than going to most cinemas even with student discount.
How much? A standard ticket costs £5, but for an extra £25 you can enjoy an hour of unlimited prosecco or beer, and popcorn with sweets.
19. The National Exhibition Centre
North Ave, Marston Green, Birmingham B40 1NT
What is it? The NEC is the crown jewel of Birmingham, as it is the largest event space in the UK!
Why go? Each year the NEC hosts hundreds and hundreds of events and exhibitions, so there is always something for everyone, no matter what their passions or interests may be. Some of the best things to look forward to is the UK Games Expo in late July and early August 2021.
How much? Prices depend on the exhibition or event you go to and what type of ticket you get.
Last Updated on July 26, 2024
Published on July 13, 2021
