Whilst studying at university is a great experience, it can also bring challenges. Budgeting, the cost of living and student finance can cause stress for students and make it difficult to enjoy their free time without the burden of costs. This is where we come in! We’ve made a list of the top 15 free things to do in Birmingham, so that you can unwind after lectures without worrying about your student budget.
1. Winterbourne House & Gardens
Winterbourne is a really popular option for University of Birmingham students! It is local to the Edgbaston campus and offers a lot of great things. The Winterborne House is a historic location, filled with interesting trinkets and rooms to wander through. Additionally, the house is surrounded by beautiful and lush gardens. There are lots of different flowers, plants, and themed paths to stroll down. Also, if you’re feeling peckish after enjoying the grounds, Winterbourne has a cafe with homemade sandwiches and cakes to refresh you. There is even a second-hand bookshop if you’re a booklover like me!
The best thing about Winterbourne is that it is completely free to UoB students. If you visit, just remember to take your student ID. Whilst it is not free for other students, you can still get a great discount on tickets!
2. Barber Institute
Another amazing and local spot for students is the Barber Institute of Fine Arts. It is an art gallery and concert hall located on the University of Birmingham’s Edgbaston campus. Inside the picturesque building, you can find a range of art collections, exhibitions and events to explore. Unfortunately, it is currently closed for renovations. However, it will be opening soon, with access to their stunning concert hall and expanded areas to make it more accessible!
Though you cannot currently visit, it is still worth putting on this list. It is free to enter and explore, and specific events can be as affordable as £5! Keep an eye out for when it is open, as I definitely recommend visiting. Whilst you’re waiting, be sure to check out Brum’s other museums and galleries, as they are just as good. You can find more info on them on the Birmingham Museums website.
3. Parks and green spaces
The city is filled with lots of beautiful outdoor spaces to enjoy. One of our favourites is the Tolkien Trail at Moseley Bog! Explore the gorgeous scenery that inspired the author’s Old Forest, whilst also enjoying your local area.
Parks are great for getting fresh air, relaxing in the sun or taking some selfies. From winding paths to a variety of flora and fauna, Birmingham has lots to offer. For example, those at UoB can enjoy Selly Oak Park just down the road, Aston Park for those at Aston Uni and Eastside City Park is on the doorstep of BCU! There are also many more, which you can check out in our dedicated guide. Moreover, some of the parks have cafes and events on offer for visitors. Whether you just want a stroll or you want to make a long afternoon of it, the city has something for everyone.
4. Lapworth Museum of Geology
Can you tell we love the University of Birmingham? And for good reason! Another great spot to check out on the Edgbaston campus is the Lapworth Museum of Geology. Enjoy a variety of events and geological collections whilst exploring the earth’s interesting history. You could explore the crystal and mineral displays, or the variety of dinosaur fossils, such as Roary the allosaurus! The museum has everything from free tours to concerts to exhibitions to quiz nights. Check out their social media/website to find out what’s on.
Not only is entry free, but you can also explore the rest of UoB’s gorgeous campus whilst you’re there! From the Green Heart to Aston Webb, there are tons of photo-worthy spots across campus.
5. Churches and cathedrals
You don’t have to be religious to enjoy the stunning architecture and atmosphere of a cathedral. Churches and cathedrals are welcoming to all, and are lovely places to explore something new. Also, they’re free to enter and look around, and you might even partake in any events on offer! Taking a walk through, you can find everything from statues to stained glass windows to impressive architecture.
Birmingham has stunning buildings across the city. A few worth mentioning are St Philip’s Cathedral, St Chad’s Cathedral, St Martin in the Bull Ring, and St Edburgha’s, though there are lots more. Another local favourite of mine is Lichfield Cathedral, which I visited on a uni trip. You can explore local artefacts whilst learning about the rich heritage of the local community.
6. Thinktank Science Museum & Garden
The Thinktank Science Museum is not only fun, but educational! For those who like to learn about our planet, discover the museum’s variety of exhibits and collections. From industry models to the largest Natural Science collection in the West Midlands, the museum has 4 floors for you to enjoy. Alongside the museum, the Thinktank also has its own Science Garden. With over 30 hands-on exhibits. It is really fun to explore their different interactive exhibits, from engineering machines to a human-sized hamster wheel!
What is so amazing about the Thinktank is that students can get free admission every Wednesday to Friday! If you bring your student ID, you can access the fun and inventive resources across the museum and garden for free. However, free admission is walk-up only, so if you’re planning on going, do not book in advance.
7. Library of Birmingham
The Library is not just a great place to study. With ten floors, there is everything from exhibitions to workshops to performances. Floors upon floors of books, the Library itself is impressive enough to visit, but there are also fun events to take part in.
Furthermore, there is an outdoor Amphitheatre for performances, and a garden terrace perfect for snapping a picture of the city. The Library is free to enter and is open all day, so it’s a great place to get some work done or see something unique. We also have a few other libraries across the city to explore if you enjoy a quiet, cosy space.
8. Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
From Pre-Raphaelite Galleries to Industrial Galleries, the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is a wonderful place to experience the culture on offer in the city. The Museum also hosts a range of exhibitions and special events throughout the year for you to enjoy, such as their current Ozzy Osbourne exhibition, celebrating the achievements of the local legend. However, be aware that for some exhibitions you might need to book in advance!
The building itself is a Grade II listed building, surrounded by Chamberlain and Victoria Square. It is a beautiful area to wander through, which makes it a great spot for a free day out! Explore the outdoors, and then pop in for the galleries, the Tearoom or the gift shop.
Admission is free, and you do not need to book in advance. Although it is always great to donate and support local businesses!
9. Ikon Gallery
If you’re an art lover, then you are going to love Ikon Gallery! The city is amazing because it has so many different museums and galleries for students to explore, and Ikon Gallery is one of the most popular. This internationally acclaimed gallery can be found in a beautiful and historic Victorian building near the city centre.
Inside, Ikon features a wide variety of contemporary art exhibitions and media, including photography, sculpture, painting and film. Spend an afternoon exploring the displays, and be sure to check out the range of art & craft books in their Ikon Shop once you’re done.
10. Martineau Gardens
The Martineau Gardens are a local community garden and charity, and are perfect for a free day out. With two and a half acres of beautiful landscape, you can relax surrounded by nature or explore the amazing variety of wildlife and greenery. The gardens have lots to enjoy. This includes seating in their courtyard garden, orchards, nature trails and wildflower meadows. It is truly a lovely spot nestled inside the city, and since our sunny summer days are around the corner, I recommend visiting soon!
In addition to this, the gardens also have lots of free and fun events for visitors. For example, enjoy their relaxing yoga sessions or try out a new hobby with their woodworking classes. Moreover, they even have a sales area where you can buy plants or homemade jams! These would be great as a delicious souvenir or a thoughtful gift.
11. Birmingham Canals
Did you know that Birmingham has more canals than Venice? Throughout the city, you can find lots of beautiful and relaxing spots to enjoy our waterways. You might even find one close to your uni campus! For example, UoB students can find the Selly Oak canal right on their doorstep.
The city’s historic canals are perfect for an afternoon stroll, a picnic location or enjoying Britain’s temperamental weather. It can be very relaxing to sit on a bench after a lecture and watch the ducks on the water.
However, if you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, check out a boat trip, walking tour or kayak tour! You do have to pay for a ticket, but these are usually very affordable. For example, Brindley Cruises are a good option for students who want to explore beyond their university. Tag along on one of their daily sightseeing cruises through some of Birmingham’s most iconic canal routes, and learn about the city’s rich history.
12. Markets
Whilst shopping isn’t free, having a mooch around the markets is! Birmingham has lots of great markets to enjoy across the city. From artisan goods to local produce, there are lots of treasures to be found. For instance, the University of Birmingham has its own artisan market that everyone is free to attend. It is held once a month and has several unique stalls to explore, including baked goods, homemade candles, and handmade jewellery. It is fun to just wander around and see what local businesses are making! For those interested, Birmingham Artisan Markets is a non-profit dedicated to supporting local businesses through several markets across the city.
What’s more, Birmingham has an annual Frankfurt Christmas Market. As a local Brummie, I’ve been going since I was little, and I’m obsessed! The streets around the Bullring are filled with stalls, lights and Christmas decor. Even if you do not want to buy anything, it is still worth going to look around. Check out the big Christmas tree, the nativity set, or the authentic German wooden stalls alongside so much more!
13. Fat Penguin Comedy Club
Fat Penguin Comedy Club is an awesome place for an evening out! It is a local non-profit comedy club held weekly at the Patrick Kavanagh Bar in Moseley. Each week, you can find top comics from across the country performing. In past nights they’ve had performers such as Tom Sade, Simon Munnery and Gary Delaney.
The comedy club uses donations from shows to fund future shows and performers. This means that they are entirely crowd-funded! So, you do not have to pay to enter, nor are you expected to, but donating is a great way to support the local arts.
Plus, Birmingham’s comedy scene has loads more to offer. For example, in the city centre, you can find another free comedy club, Egan’s Comedy Club. They host free stand-up nights every Monday, so be sure to check them out!
14. Graffiti Art of Digbeth Walk
Digbeth is famous for being the home of Birmingham’s vibrant art scene. With a variety of venues and creative businesses around the area, it is no surprise that they also have great graffiti! As you wander along the streets, you can find a range of art pieces created by incredibly talented artists.
What’s more, the Walk Run Cycle app has its very own tour for you to follow! You can download their app or use Google Maps, and simply follow their directions around the city. The tour takes you to some of the most iconic pieces, such as the “Future of Birmingham” by Graffiti artist Suki10C. Their tour provides you with interesting and useful information on local graffiti art and its artists, which makes it a great activity to do solo or with friends. In addition to this, the tour includes cafes and bars along the route, in case you need to recharge.
15. Old Rectory Farm
Sheldon Country Park is another one of Birmingham’s gorgeous green spaces. It has 300 acres of woodlands, flowers and footpaths to wander down. However, this is not all it has to offer!
The park also has the Old Rectory Farm. It is a restored 17th-century dairy farm within the park that now serves as a free farm for the public to enjoy. It is run by Park Rangers on behalf of the Birmingham City Council, and has everything from Jersey cattle to goats to ponies! Furthermore, the farm has its own cafe, picnic area and on-site toilets. It is a stunning area within the city, and is a great location for a free outing. Stroll along the walking paths, meet the farm animals, or enjoy the sunshine!
As a student, the financial aspect of university can be quite daunting. However, do not worry, because we have got you covered! The city is filled with fun and budget-friendly activities for you to do. On top of this, we also have other guides on more affordable things to do in Birmingham, such as our one on activities under a tenner.
Hi! I’m Emmie, and I’m currently studying English Literature and Classical Literature & Civilisations at the University of Birmingham. This means I’m a huge fan of anything historical and literary, so you can usually find me diving into research rabbit holes for a new blog post or engrossed in a good book. Outside of my academic pursuits, I enjoy activities like karaoke, travelling, or spending the day in a museum!
