Birmingham

England

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28 July 2015: Birmingham, West Midlands, England, UK - Birmingham Art Gallery and Museum, Victoria Square.

28 July 2015: Birmingham, West Midlands, England, UK - Birmingham Art Gallery and Museum, Victoria Square.

Why visit Birmingham

Regeneration, renewal and grand-scale construction continue apace in Britain's second-largest city. A state-of-the-art library, gleaming shopping centre atop revitalised New St station and beautifully restored Victorian buildings are just some of the successful initiatives of its Big City Plan, following on from the striking Mailbox and Bullring shopping malls and the iconic Selfridges building's 'bubblewrapped' facade. Work is underway on extensions to the Metro (light rail/tram) network, and on the centrepiece Paradise development's new hotels, public spaces, and glitzy residential and commercial buildings, with final completion due in 2025.

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Top places to visit in Birmingham

Discover the best attractions in Birmingham from must-see sights to unexpected hidden gems.

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Birmingham travel tips from Lonely Planet experts

Find practical guidance from our team of contributors around the world who bring their decades of first-hand travel experience to your next trip.

Best Things to Do

A former industrial powerhouse, Birmingham in the 21st century is vibrant, diverse city that’s home to a plethora of distinctly local attractions. 

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Best Neighborhoods

Foodies, history and street-art lovers will find plenty to distract them in this post-industrial Midlands metropolis.

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Day Trips

Step away from the UK's second city and see what else is happening in the Midlands. Here are the best day trips from Birmingham.

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Traveling with Kids

Birmingham has never been a city to show off, despite its fascinating history, unique architecture and arguably the finest gastronomy in the UK outside of…

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5 Shops

Birmingham has never been a city to show off, despite its fascinating history, unique architecture and arguably the finest gastronomy in the UK outside of…

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