30 Things Birmingham is Known and Famous For

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Known as England’s ‘Second City’, Birmingham is the largest city in England after London. It’s also known as the ‘City of a Thousand Trades’ due to its status as the world’s first manufacturing town. Aside from this, people may be surprised by all the things that Birmingham is famous for.

Birmingham is famous for not only its manufacturing roots; it’s also well-known for its heritage in the world of food and cuisine, legendary rock music, bustling nightlife, sprawling canal networks, and huge cultural impact. Birmingham has a cultural significance that spans literature, art, TV, food, music, and beyond.

Often overlooked for other Great British cities, Birmingham is actually a thriving metropolitan city with a lot to offer all visitors, from beauty spots to a bustling city center.

In this list of 30 things that Birmingham is known for, you’ll discover the very best about Birmingham—the UK’s most underrated city!

1. UK’s “Second City”

I’ve mentioned it earlier, but it won’t hurt to clarify. It turns out the title “Second City” isn’t just about size.

With over 1.2 million residents, Birmingham easily has the second-largest population in the country. It is the UK’s largest local authority district and the official anchor of the West Midlands. But it’s also an economic powerhouse. It boasts an impressive regional GDP of around £39 billion, powered by massive commercial hubs, world-class universities, and a booming service sector that outpaces almost everywhere outside London.

Its status isn’t just about modern numbers, though—it was forged during the Industrial Revolution when local manufacturing and trade helped the city generate immense wealth.

2. “Brummie” dialect and accent

Listen closely in any local pub, and you’ll instantly pick up on the unique cadence of the “Brummie” accent.

Derived from Brummagem—an early name for the city rooted in Middle English—the dialect features a recognizable downward intonation, rich vowel shifts, and unique local slang, like calling someone a “mucker” (friend) or using “ar” for yes.

The accent traces back to the historic West Midlands dialect rather than neighboring Black Country speech. Though it spent decades being unfairly mocked in popular media, pop-culture phenomena like Peaky Blinders have sparked a massive global appreciation for the city’s distinctive voice.

3. Cadbury World

If you were to ask any Brit what their favorite brand of chocolate was, the likelihood is that their response would be “Cadbury’s”.

Also, if you were to ask any Brummie what they thought their city of Birmingham is most famous for, they would probably also reply “Cadbury’s”.

Such is the significance of this delicious brand of chocolate.

The company was founded in 1824 by John Cadbury, a Quaker who began selling tea, coffee, and drinking chocolate on the streets of Birmingham. Fast forward to today, and the success of this entrepreneurial Quaker has seen Cadbury transform the neighborhood of Bournville, and the entire city of Birmingham, forever.

Since 1990, people have been able to flock from all over the world to Cadbury World on a chocolate pilgrimage to see how their favorite confectionery is made.

Of course, Cadbury World is a must-visit for anyone spending time in Birmingham! Prepare yourself for a day full of fun and education. This history lesson is accompanied by tasters of the chocolate along the production line, and a bag full of the best-selling chocolate bars, too. Book your tickets here!

4. Peaky Blinders

Perhaps the second thing that Birmingham is known for is the modern phenomenon of the TV show Peaky Blinders that has taken the nation, and parts of the world, by storm.

The BBC has recently shone a light on the rich history of Birmingham with its hit success of a TV series Peaky Blinders, telling the story of a real gang that operated on the streets of Birmingham in the early 20th century.

With such high-profile actors as Cillian Murphy and Tom Hardy playing big roles in the TV show, Peaky Blinders has captured the imagination of millions and, for the first time, put Birmingham in the limelight.

Naturally, this has led to a surge of Peaky Blinders-themed attractions popping up around the city, with bars and clubs offering Peaky Blinders-themed nights, Peaky Blinders tours of Birmingham, and even breweries and distilleries creating special Peaky Blinders beers and gins.

If you’re already an avid watcher of the show or want to learn more about Birmingham’s grisly criminal underworld, there is an abundance of Peaky Blinders events, attractions, and bars that you can check out, from the BBC studio in the city center to its surrounding neighborhoods.

5. Birmingham Bullring

Today, Birmingham Bullring is one of the largest shopping centers in the UK but, historically, it was an outdoor public arena used for bull-baiting, a popular sport in the city at the time.

It is this history that, obviously, gave the place its name, as well as the iconic statue of the bull in the heart of the bullring – a popular tourist attraction that is often seasonally dressed up.

Home to one of only four Selfridges stores in the UK, you can’t miss this luxury department store due to its strikingly modern, freeform architecture as pictured above.

Inside, you can find a selection of some of the biggest names in luxury fashion, cosmetics, and an excellent food court area with food stalls and eateries spanning the globe in cuisines.

As for the rest of the Bullring shopping center, you can enjoy a serious spree in this place alone. You’ll find huge stores for some of the most popular brands, such as Topshop, River Island, and Victoria’s Secret, as well as other department stores, cosmetics shops, high street fashion favorites, and much, much more.

If you want to indulge yourself with some retail therapy, there are few cities better equipped than Birmingham.

6. More canals than Venice

Yes, it’s true. Birmingham really does have more canals than Venice. In fact, did you know that Birmingham is known as the ‘Venice of the North‘?

It is this seriously extensive network of waterways that allowed Birmingham to become the world’s first manufacturing city, and helped it rise to such prominence as a city.

These days, however, the canals are a much more peaceful place where you’ll find groups of people taking a stroll or enjoying an after-work pint at a waterside pub.

In Brindleyplace and The Mailbox, you’ll discover a whole host of excellent restaurants, specializing in tapas, Brazilian food, steak, Italian cuisine, and much more.

It’s also replete with bars, from the most traditional English pub to the most sophisticated cocktail bar. Even Bill Clinton enjoyed a pint at a canal-side pub when he visited Birmingham in 1998!

7. Gas Street Basin

Speaking of canals, if you want to experience the vibrant pulse of Birmingham’s famous canal network, Gas Street Basin is where it all comes together.

Functioning as the picturesque, historic heart of the system, this iconic waterfront is where traditional narrowboats line up alongside bustling modern bars, outdoor restaurants, and red-brick heritage buildings.

In its 18th-century industrial heyday, it formed a vital junction where competing canal companies met. Today, Birmingham is known for turning this former industrial hub into one of the city’s most charming leisure districts, perfect for scenic strolls, waterside drinks, and soaking in local history.

8. Youngest city in Europe

Birmingham is officially the youngest city in Europe, as roughly 40% of its population is aged 25 and below. What’s more, there are five universities in Birmingham, so it’s no surprise that this huge student population adds to Birmingham’s thriving nightlife scene.

Thanks to Birmingham’s youthful population, it means that there is no shortage of fun things to do on an evening in Birmingham.

You may fancy taking to Broad Street, Birmingham’s central hub for nightclubs, where you’ll find a huge range of establishments to party. Boasting chain clubs and independent clubs, as well as a selection of bars lining the street, Broad Street is always party central.

If clubs aren’t really your thing, you’re still spoiled for choice when it comes to bars. Near the cathedral, you’ll find a collection of excellent cocktail bars, ranging from the cozy to the elegant, and so it’s easy to pass an evening enjoying a selection of delicious cocktails in a relaxed setting, in the heart of Birmingham city center.

Still not persuaded? If you’re in search of a more traditional British pub experience, you’ll have no trouble finding one of these either, as Birmingham is positively brimming with independent pubs serving local ales and typical British ‘pub grub’.

9. Music

Birmingham’s thriving music scene goes hand in hand with its youthful population, as Birmingham is famous for a large number of iconic music venues.

However, Birmingham has also earned its place in the rock ‘n’ roll hall of fame thanks to its connections to some of the music industry’s biggest names.

Birmingham is the birthplace of the Prince of Darkness himself, Ozzy Osbourne, as well as the other members of Black Sabbath.

In fact, during the late 20th century, Birmingham was famous for creating some of the biggest-selling artists in the world, including Duran Duran, UB40, Electric Light Orchestra, The Moody Blues, The Streets, Dexys Midnight Runners, and loads more.

The city is also world-renowned as the birthplace of heavy metal, giving rise to pioneering music legends like Judas Priest, and later, iconic bands such as Led Zeppelin (via Robert Plant and John Bonham) and Electric Light Orchestra (ELO).

In more recent years, Birmingham has had more of an ‘underground’ resurgence with its B-Town music scene giving rise to bands such as Peace, Swim Deep, and JAWS – a welcome movement for much of the city’s young alternative crowd.

As well as the city’s cultural importance in creating iconic musicians, the city is also home to a number of incredible music venues, from the huge Barclaycard and Resorts World arenas, to the smaller O2 Academy, O2 Institute, and Sunflower Lounge.

Birmingham truly is a city where music is the constant beat of the crowd.

10. Birthplace of reggae and the British Bhangra

More on Birmingham’s music scene… This city also served as the fertile launching pad for both British Reggae and the modern British Bhangra scene.

In the 1970s and 80s, the city’s vibrant Caribbean and South Asian communities transformed traditional roots reggae and Punjabi folk music into distinctly local sounds. Reggae brought heavy, syncopated basslines, while Bhangra centered on energetic Punjabi folk rhythms driven by the pounding dhol drum.

Local legends like UB40 and Steel Pulse turned Birmingham into the UK’s reggae capital, while groundbreaking groups like Bhujhangy Group and pioneer Apache Indian fused traditional Indian beats with Western pop and dancehall.

11. Michelin Star dining

Outside of London, Birmingham has the highest amount of Michelin-star restaurants in the UK, making Birmingham one of the country’s gastronomic capitals.

Birmingham’s Michelin star establishments range from contemporary British cuisine to oyster bars and refined Indian dining – all of which reflect the gastronomic culture of Birmingham on a grand scale.

If you’re looking for somewhere special to eat out whilst you’re in Birmingham, you really are spoiled for choice with its array of fine dining options.

Pick from the iconic Purnell’s, owned by chef Glynn Purnell, a Birmingham boy born and bred, for his exquisite ‘Brummie Tapas’, or perhaps Opheem, for a sophisticated Indian dining experience, again with a locally born chef.

However, if Michelin star food is a bit out of your price range, that won’t stop you from experiencing some excellent food whilst in Birmingham! If you want brunch, try Medicine in the heart of the city center, for brunch classics cooked to perfection, as well as delicious coffee and freshly baked cakes and bread.

Birmingham is also the home of a new branch of Dishoom – an Indian restaurant that has taken London by storm – where you can sample what is widely revered as some of the best Indian food in the UK.

12. World’s largest collection of Pre-Raphaelite art

The Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is more than just a cursory city center gallery. It’s actually a place of significant artistic and historic importance that is home to the largest collection of pre-Raphaelite artwork in the world.

Not many people will know that the best of Birmingham also includes a huge artistic tradition, making it a wonderful place for a city break for art aficionados as well.

In the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, you could spend an entire day wandering through the corridors of this beautifully maintained old building, soaking up the world’s largest collection of pre-Raphaelite art, as well as a number of exhibits showcasing a range of different artistic media, from movements throughout the course of time.

If contemporary art is more your thing, then you can head to the IKON gallery in the Brindleyplace area of Birmingham to explore some of the world’s most exciting artworks from recent years, all housed in a beautiful neo-gothic Grade II listed building.

To add to Birmingham’s cultural tradition, it’s clear to see that Birmingham is famous for its record-breaking art collection.

13. Digbeth

The Sunday Times named Digbeth the coolest neighborhood in the UK in 2018, and it’s not hard to see why.

This little part of Birmingham, just a short stroll from the city center, is the part of the city where all the cool kids hang out. When you’re spending some time in Birmingham, Digbeth is well worth a visit if you want to escape the polished elegance of the city, and experience the trendy independence of this neighborhood.

Venture into Digbeth, and you’ll find a host of cool hangout spots, from independent cafés to music venues. You can explore the streets of Digbeth with this art-focused walking tour.

The Old Crown pub in Digbeth is one of the oldest pubs in Britain and is a great place to experience a traditional British pub. However, go outside and you’ll find a spacious and modern beer garden, perfect for a drink in the sun.

Just around the corner from this historic pub is what’s known as the Custard Factory: a former factory that has now become an adult playground, with street food markets, trendy bars, a crazy golf course, and independent cinema.

14. Birthplace of ODEON Cinemas

Speaking of cinema, if you’ve ever wondered where the UK’s most iconic cinema chain caught its very first spark, well, here you go.

ODEON was founded in Birmingham by local entrepreneur Oscar Deutsch, who opened his first picture house under the famous brand name in the Perry Barr area back in 1930.

Famous for its sleek Art Deco architecture and luxury moviegoing experience, the chain expanded so rapidly that publicists joked “ODEON” stood for “Oscar Deutsch Entertains Our Nation.” Today, ODEON is Europe’s largest cinema operator, but its movie-magic legacy traces back to a single neighborhood in Brum.

15. Workshop of the World

During the Industrial Revolution, Birmingham’s unmatched manufacturing prowess earned it the legendary titles “Workshop of the World” and the “City of a Thousand Trades.” Driven by steam power, vast canal networks, and a lack of restrictive guild rules, the city became a booming hotbed of innovation.

Historically, Birmingham is famous for its incredible industrial versatility—producing everything from steam engines and guns to buttons, pens, and fine jewelry. Rather than relying on a single major industry, thousands of small, highly skilled workshops packed the city, cementing its reputation as a global powerhouse of craft, invention, and trade.

16. The steam engine

One of the greatest products of the “Workshop of the World” was the steam engine.

In the late 18th century, visionary industrialist Matthew Boulton and brilliant engineer James Watt joined forces at Birmingham’s Soho Manufactory to perfect and mass-produce the commercial steam engine.

By adding a separate condenser, Watt dramatically improved engine efficiency, while Boulton provided the financial genius to market it globally. This groundbreaking invention powered factories, drained mines, and revolutionized transport, effectively driving the entire global Industrial Revolution straight out of Birmingham.

17. The largest library in Europe

The newly built Library of Birmingham officially opened its doors in 2013 and ever since has been the largest library in Europe. Not only has it become a striking and important monument on Birmingham’s skyline, but it further demonstrates the cultural importance of a city like Birmingham.

Connected to the Birmingham Rep Theatre, this huge library is home to a number of large and very important collections, including the UK’s most important collection of Shakespeare’s works in the historic Shakespeare Memorial Room.

The library is also the perfect place to get a view of the Birmingham skyline from its outdoor viewing platform. Hungry? Then grab a bite from its on-site cafe.

In 2014, the Birmingham Library was the 10th most visited tourist attraction in the UK, so you know that it’s well worth a visit if you want to see the best of Birmingham.

18. Inspiration for Middle-earth

While New Zealand’s breathtaking landscapes brought Hobbiton to the big screen, the magic of Middle-earth was born right in Birmingham.

Author J.R.R. Tolkien spent his formative childhood years exploring the city and its surrounding countryside, drawing direct inspiration for his legendary fantasy worlds from local landmarks.

The idyllic rural setting of Sarehole Mill shaped the tranquil Shire, while the tangled, shadowy woods of Moseley Bog inspired the Old Forest. Even the iconic Two Towers take cues from local architecture, echoing the stark silhouettes of Edgbaston Waterworks and Perrott’s Folly.

19. Largest open space in Europe

Not only is Birmingham a sprawling metropolis and the second biggest city in the UK, but it is also one of the greenest! In fact, Birmingham is classified as having the largest open space in Europe relative to its size – it has 200 more parks than Paris!

Throughout the city, there are a number of large parks and beauty spots that make for a perfect escape to some greenery when you’ve had enough of its concrete jungle.

Handsworth Park and Cannon Hill Park are both spacious, Victorian-era parks that attract throngs of people for picnics and festivals in the good summer weather.

There is also Woodgate Valley Country Park which boasts over 450 acres of natural beauty in the guise of meadows, ponds, and woodland.

20. Birmingham Hippodrome

The Birmingham Hippodrome is the UK’s busiest and most popular theatre, attracting over 600,000 spectators a year.

The theatre itself is located in the heart of Birmingham’s Chinese Quarter and is the home of the Birmingham Royal Ballet company.

As well as being the perfect place to watch some breathtaking ballet, it also welcomes regular opera companies, pantomimes, and traveling West End hit shows, such as Grease, Hairspray, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Wicked, Annie, and many more.

If you consider yourself a thespian, then the Birmingham Hippodrome is another reason why you should consider visiting Birmingham and taking part in its theatrical heritage.

21. Grand Central New Street Station

Not to be confused with the iconic Grand Central Station in New York City, Birmingham actually has its own train station that is known as Grand Central. Its actual name is Birmingham New Street station, though. Grand Central is the shopping center located above Birmingham New Street that was developed in 2016.

Connected to Birmingham Bullring by a walkway, Birmingham’s answer to Grand Central was a welcome addition to the city, updating the former train station, Birmingham’s primary train station, and bringing with it a selection of new establishments.

With a brand new John Lewis department store, a number of smaller shops, and a plethora of dining options, Birmingham has become pretty famous for having one of the most dynamic train stations in the UK.

It’s easy to spend an entire day at Grand Central alone, once you’ve made your way around the shops and decided on somewhere to eat.

22. Home of the Balti

Not only is Birmingham famous for being the chocolate capital of the UK, but it is also the curry capital of the UK, and deservedly so.

Just like other world-famous foods, such as Parma ham or Stilton cheese, the balti was granted EU Protected Name status in 2015, meaning that any balti that has been cooked authentically should be referred to as a Birmingham balti.

The name balti actually refers to the ‘balty’ (meaning ‘bucket’ in Urdu) that the curry is cooked in, and is so linked with Birmingham because it was invented by the city’s Pakistani chefs sometime in the 1970s. Ever since, Birmingham is renowned nationwide as the home of authentic balti, and one of the best cities in the UK to dine out on Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi cuisine.

In fact, there is even a specific neighborhood in Birmingham, between the areas of Sparkbrook, Sparkhill, and Balsall Heath, named the Balti Triangle, where you can find some of the city’s most authentic Balti houses, and even the restaurant, Adil’s, that lays claim to creating the first-ever authentic balti.

23. Aston Villa and Birmingham City FC

Football isn’t just a sport in Birmingham—it’s a way of life that deeply divides the city. The fiery local rivalry centers on two historic clubs: Aston Villa FC, based at the iconic Villa Park, and Birmingham City FC, who play at St Andrew’s just two miles down the road.

Birmingham is famous for hosting the “Second City Derby,” one of the most intense and fiercely contested match-ups in British football. First played in 1879, the derby has seen well over 120 historic clashes between Villa’s claret-and-blue and Blues’ royal blue, filling local pubs and stadiums with electric tension whenever match day arrives.

If you’re visiting and want to catch a game, make sure to plan ahead. You can find Aston Villa FC tickets here and Birmingham City FC tickets here.

24. 2022 Commonwealth Games

Still in the sports department, Birmingham hosted the 22nd Commonwealth Games and it firmly cemented its position as a world-class sporting powerhouse.

Over 11 action-packed days, more than 4,800 athletes from 72 nations competed across 280 events, making it the largest multi-sport event held in England in a decade.

The event shattered records, selling over 1.5 million tickets—the most in UK Commonwealth Games history. It made global headlines for its massive £73 million redevelopment of Alexander Stadium, introducing the largest integrated para-sport program to date, and becoming the first major multi-sport event with more women’s medal events than men’s.

25. The UK’s largest German Christmas Market

Every Christmas, Birmingham attracts thousands to its city center so they can come and see the largest Christmas market in the UK and, actually, the largest German Christmas market in Europe outside of Germany and Austria. In fact, the Birmingham Christmas market is even bigger than the one in Berlin – no wonder Birmingham is famous for its Christmas spirit!

Spanning all the way from the Bullring, down New Street, and up until the Birmingham Town Hall, the streets are lined with adorable, wooden huts selling a selection of trinkets, jewelry, toys, accessories, and, of course, food and drink.

Birmingham’s Christmas market truly is something you have to experience if you are visiting the city during the Christmas season.

Stroll along, day or night, with a delicious bratwurst or fresh crêpe, before making a pit stop at one of the bar stalls for a frosty stein of German beer, or a warming mug of mulled wine or delicious Austrian hot chocolate.

Of course, there are also all the smells of Christmas in the air, the aromas of grilled meat, crispy potatoes, spicy cinnamon, and sugary gingerbread, and the sounds of German brass bands and Christmas carols mingling with the laughter of the crowd.

26. The Jewellery Quarter

Looking to pick up a dazzling piece of history? Yet another reason to visit Birmingham.

This city’s historic Jewellery Quarter is Europe’s largest concentration of jewelers and metalworking businesses, responsible for producing around 40% of all jewelry made in the UK.

Spanning over 250 years of heritage, this vibrant urban village houses roughly 700 craftspeople and independent makers alongside Europe’s busiest Assay Office. From crafting royal honors medals and Wimbledon trophies to designing custom engagement rings, it remains a bustling hub of skill, charm, and craftsmanship.

27. Bird’s Custard and the HP Sauce

Did you know two of the UK’s most beloved pantry staples share deep, historic roots in Birmingham?

Alfred Bird developed his famous egg-free custard powder in the city back in 1837 because his wife was severely allergic to eggs. What started as a thoughtful kitchen experiment quickly blossomed into a global food empire, eventually operating out of Digbeth’s massive Custard Factory.

Meanwhile, the legendary HP Sauce spent over a century being produced at its famous Aston factory. Though invented by a Nottingham grocer, the recipe was bought by a Birmingham businessman in 1903, turning the city into the home of Britain’s favorite brown sauce until production moved in 2007.

28. The Pen Museum

Ever wonder how the world wrote before modern keyboards and ballpoints took over?

In the 19th century, Birmingham was the global epicenter of the writing industry, producing roughly 75% of all steel pen nibs used worldwide across a network of over 100 bustling factories!

Today, you can dive straight into that rich heritage at the Pen Museum, located inside a Grade II-listed former nib factory in the Jewellery Quarter. It offers a hands-on look at how local workers mass-produced affordable nibs, allowing visitors to craft their own pen nibs using original machinery and try writing with traditional dip pens.

29. The NEC

If there’s a venue big enough to host pretty much anything in the UK, it’s the NEC.

Opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1976, the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) is the UK’s largest exhibition complex, drawing around 2.3 million visitors each year. Sprawling across 18 massive halls just outside the city center, it sits at the very heart of the country’s event scene.

From hosting world-famous gatherings like Crufts (the international dog show) to massive trade expos and international music tours, the NEC boasts over 186,000 square meters of covered space. With its own railway station and airport connection, it’s Britain’s ultimate stage for mega-events.

30. Aston Hall

Standing as one of the country’s finest Jacobean estates, Birmingham is known for Aston Hall—a magnificent Grade I-listed mansion built in the early 17th century.

Filled with exquisite period rooms and intricate plasterwork, this grand residence offers a captivating walk through centuries of royal visits, aristocratic drama, and local heritage.

The estate bears dramatic real-world history, including structural cannon damage from a fierce Royalist siege during the English Civil War. Apart from its stunning architecture, it’s equally famous for its ghost stories, frequently earning a reputation as one of Britain’s most haunted historic buildings.

Conclusion

These are just 30 things that Birmingham is famous for. We’ve barely scratched the surface, but they should be enough to encourage you to pay this city a visit when you’re traveling around the British Isles.

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