Best Free Things to Do in Birmingham UK (Insider’s Guide)
LOOKING FOR THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN BIRMINGHAM FOR FREE?
Having been born and raised in Birmingham, I love seeking out free things to do here. It lets me stretch my budget further so I can enjoy more experiences. And I often discover local gems that tourists miss.
Birmingham offers a surprising number of free activities and attractions if you know where to look. Brum (as we locals call it) has beautiful parks, fascinating museums, historic sites, and lively markets to explore without spending a penny.
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?
Overview: Birmingham Free Activities
Short for time? Here are my picks for Birmingham’s Top 3 Free Highlights:
1: Gas Street Basin and Canal Network
Stroll along the canals in the city centre and discover the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and the home of the Peaky Blinders.
2: Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
See art works and displays of artefacts and weaponry dating back to medieval times, as well as the world’s biggest collection of Pre-Raphaelite artworks.
3: Digbeth Street Art Scene
Walk down Digbeth’s cobbled streets bursting with colourful street art and murals and drop into the Custard Factory for a bite and a drink.
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. I’ll also provide transportation tips, lesser-known things to do, and advice on how to take advantage of free walking tours.
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 centre. 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 theatre performances and music festivals too.
While you’re there, check out the park’s Midlands Arts Centre which has free art exhibits.
Not too far away in central Birmingham, Victoria Square provides a nice urban park space. There’s a beautiful central marble fountain, colourfully planted flowerbeds, and several public art sculptures. Events like craft fairs and music shows frequently happen there too.
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. 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.
→ Fun Fact: Birmingham has more canals than Venice! Hence the city’s nickname, Venice of the North. Read more fun facts about Brum here:
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!
→ Further reading: A Local’s Guide to Staffordshire’s Historic Market Towns
Must-See Museums with Free Entry
One of the best deals in Birmingham is the astounding selection of free museums loaded with artefacts and interactive exhibits.
The impressive Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery in the city core hosts world-class collections of art, local history items, weaponry, artefacts and plenty more, making it among the top free attractions in the West Midlands. I love their Edward Burne-Jones exhibit and 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.
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. 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 Brum, this small museum is housed in an original 1890s coffin fittings factory, one of only two left in the UK.
Other notable museums with free entry:
➤ The Ikon Gallery – a contemporary art gallery with exhibitions in a Grade II listed building.
➤ Lapworth Museum of Geology – a science and nature museum with great dinosaur skeletons on display
➤ Thinktank Planetarium – the UK’s first digital planetarium with shows on space and astrology
➤ Bishop Asbury Cottage – a 17th Century cottage former childhood home of Francis Asbury
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.
Be sure to read my guide on when is the best time to visit Brum here:
Local Favourites – Markets, Theatre, and More
Birmingham has destination-worthy attractions, but some of my favourite memories came from quirkier local spots and happenings.
The Bullring Markets operates several outdoor markets in the city centre with lots of vibrant energy. Each market has different opening days and themes, covering farmers markets, craft fairs, second-hand 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 centre. 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.
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 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 Brum!
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.
One of my favourite things to do in Birmingham is wandering the cobbled streets and hidden alleyways of Digbeth and discovering street art murals that evoke powerful messages reflecting the social issues of the city’s marginalised citizens.
→ Read More – Shropshire Guides:
Market Drayton: Shropshire’s Historic Market Town (Guide)
Visit Shifnal: Gateway to the Ironbridge Gorge
Insider Guide to Whitchurch: Shropshire’s Oldest Settlement
Taking Advantage of Free Walking Tours
Jewellery Quarter Walking Tours run weekly and explores Birmingham’s famous jewellery hub with over 800 jewellery 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!
To experience more of Birmingham’s evolution into an industrial superpower, join a Gas Street Basin Tour. Your walk includes the city centre 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!
→ Related post: Be sure to check out my guide on when is best to visit the West Midlands here.
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 the cobbled alleyways of Digbeth, spotting countless displays of graffiti art murals on the fronts and sides of Victorian buildings, on walls, under railway bridges and in car parks. Then drop by a cafe in the Custard Factory.
Afternoon
Head downtown to the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Spend a few hours admiring their impressive collections of artefacts, 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 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 ambience.
Day 2:
Morning
Ride the bus a bit out of the city centre 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.
Evening
In the early evening, stop by the Birmingham Repertory Theatre to try your luck at same-day standby tickets for their current show line-up. Fingers crossed you score cheap tickets to a fantastic performance to end your trip!
→ Read more: 23 Top Family-Friendly Things to Do in Stoke-On-Trent in Summer
Where to Stay in Birmingham?
Below are my top recommendations on where to stay in Birmingham:
◉ £ Budget option: Wray and Whyte House (double & twin room, family-friendly) – Good 7.6
◉ £££ Luxury option: The Class Place (Apartment with Terrace) – Good 7.9
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
You may also like: How to Claim a FREE English Heritage Pass Worth £50 (Autumn 2025)
Good to know: 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 slang terms like “babby” (baby), “cob” (bread roll) or “wench” (young woman) so you can chat like a local!
Further reading: Birmingham Maps, Travel Guides (Free PDFs)
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 centre 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 centre, jewellery quarter heritage and canal/industrial history. Just tip what you feel is fair.
