Birmingham | From Peaky Blinders to Britain's Second Largest City
Birmingham
I became curious about Birmingham because I enjoyed watching Peaky Blinders. Birmingham struck me as a city with an industrial, modern feel, and a touch of ruggedness. It's not the kind of place that immediately strikes you as dreamy, but if you're interested in British cities, TV show locations, or shopping, it's definitely worth setting aside a day to explore.
This time, we mainly started our exploration from the area near the station. First, we saw the character wall related to "Peaky Blinders," then we walked to Birmingham's famous canal district, followed by shopping at the Bullring Shopping Centre and Selfridges department store. Later, we also visited the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, which had some interesting exhibits and were great indoor attractions for a stroll through the city.
The walls of Peaky Blinders: The first reason to travel to Birmingham
If you're like us and curious about Birmingham because of Peaky Blinders, then this character wall is a great addition to your itinerary. It's not too far from the station, and the wall features black-and-white portraits of different characters from the show, adding a thematic touch to your city trip.
Birmingham Canal
One of Birmingham's most famous sights is its canals, lined with old buildings, restaurants, and walkways, creating a unique blend of old and new against the backdrop of modern skyscrapers. It's not as grand as London's Thames, nor as romantic as the river views of European towns, but it possesses a distinct Birmingham urban charm. On a sunny day, it's a pleasant place to stroll, take photos, or simply relax in a restaurant.
Bullring Shopping Centre: Birmingham's most iconic shopping landmark
If you're looking to shop in Birmingham, the Bullring Shopping Centre is a classic choice. This area is arguably one of the most vibrant parts of downtown Birmingham, and the bull statue outside the bullring is a popular photo spot. It's more like the heart of Birmingham's shopping scene. You don't necessarily need to buy a lot, but if you're looking for a convenient place to shop, eat, and relax, this area is perfect.
Selfridges Department Store and Jellycat
The Selfridges department store near the bullring has a wide variety of brands and products. If you like Jellycat, I think you should definitely set aside some time there, as they have a fairly large Jellycat section with a fairly complete selection. We saw many cute styles there, and it's really easy to spend too much time browsing.
Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery: Indoor Attractions in Downtown
Besides shopping and the canals, we also visited the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. These are great places to include in your itinerary, especially since the weather in the UK is often unpredictable. If it rains or you just want a place to rest, the museum is a good option. There were some interesting exhibits showing art, history, and city-related topics.
Food review: Chinatown has a wide variety of choices, but I don't have any particular recommendations this time.
Birmingham has a Chinatown nearby, so there are plenty of Asian food options, especially Hong Kong-style restaurants. If you've been in the UK for a while and are craving Asian flavors, this area is definitely worth considering. However, based on my own dining experience this time, I didn't find any restaurants that particularly impressed me or that I would recommend, so I won't be including a restaurant list in this post.