Here are our suggestions for places you can explore during your time studying here in Birmingham.
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
Opened in 1885, the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery is highly rated alongside some of the finest museums in the country. Its’ art treasures include a collection of works by Pre-Raphaelite painters, artwork from the 17th to 19th centuries, archaeological findings dating back to the Stone Age, the impressive Pinto Collection and sculptures by Rodin and James Tower.
Barber Institute of Fine Arts
Located right next to Birmingham University, the Barber Institute houses a collection of art from the Renaissance, up to the 20th century. Some of the highlights to see include masterpieces by Botticelli, Bellini, Tintoretto, Rubens, Rembrandt, Watteau, Manet, Monet, Gainsborough, Constable, and Degas. Be sure to check out the institute's schedule for classical lunchtime and evening concerts.
Cadbury World, Bournville
Cadbury World is one of Birmingham’s largest and most popular attractions. You’ll get to discover the history of chocolate, the manufacturing process, the Cadbury business and tour the picture-perfect village of Bournville itself, built by the Cadbury family after 1860 specifically to house their large workforce.
The Jewellery Quarter
Only a short train journey away is the Jewellery Quarter, where more than 200 jewellers’ workshops and silversmiths produce 40 percent of Britain's jewellery. These shops are located close to the Clock Tower on the corner of Vyse and Frederick Streets and around the Georgian church of St. Paul's.
The Roundhouse
Birmingham boasts an industrial heritage and a well-preserved canal system. The Roundhouse is one of the pieces of evidence. Built in 1874, and originally used as a storehouse and stables, this horseshoe-shaped building makes for a perfect base from which to explore the canals, whether on foot or from the sightseeing boat tours available.
St. Philip's Cathedral
Built-in 1715, St. Philip's Cathedral is the oldest building in the city. It began life as a parish church and was elevated to its present status in 1905. The cathedral was bombed in a raid during WWI and was later rebuilt in 1948. It holds the famous treasured stained-glass windows by Burne-Jones (1884). Be sure to check the cathedral's website before your visit for details of talks, seminars, exhibits, and concerts.
Birmingham Back to Backs
The Birmingham Back to Backs is easily accessible and within walking distance from the city centre. It holds a unique collection of small back-to-back homes built in the mid-19th century, which used to run throughout the city. Built around a central courtyard, these homes offer a unique insight into the often-difficult conditions in which the working classes lived.
Victoria Square & The City Centre
Along the pedestrian-friendly Victoria Square, you'll discover the attractive old Town Hall. Built-in 1832, it is a masterpiece of Victorian architecture, featuring 40 ornate Corinthian columns made of Anglesey marble. Victoria Square has been the centre of the city's music scene since hosting the first performance of Mendelssohn's Elijah in 1847. Of late, its impressive Symphony Hall, with its world-class acoustics and stunning auditorium, regularly features top singers and performers.
Lapworth Museum of Geology
The Lapworth Museum is part of the University of Birmingham. It has an extensive record of life over the past 3.5 billion years which includes exceptional objects from one of the UK’s most outstanding geological collections, ranging from rocks, minerals and fossils, volcanoes, earthquakes and even dinosaurs. You do not need to book to go in for a tour, and it is completely free of charge.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
These 19th-century gardens are spread across 15 acres in the suburbs of Edgbaston and are easy to get to from the city centre. They are home to a vast number of plant species in the perfectly preserved Victorian-era glasshouses. It's particularly well known for its collection of bonsai trees, including one that's over 250 years old. You will also enjoy seeing a variety of wildlife, including rare tropical birds and a butterfly house.
Looking for Student Accommodation? Unihousing Can Help!
Unihousing is a student accommodation provider near the University of Birmingham, operating since 1984. All of our accommodation in Selly Oak is owned by us, so we can respond quickly to any requests using our qualified team of tradesmen. Our property office is located on Bristol Road, only a short walk away from all of our accommodation. This means we can deal directly with our tenants.
Unihousing was selected as the Number 1 Student Letting Agent in Birmingham by the UK's biggest fresher community, Unifresher.
