Officially the second city of the United Kingdom, Birmingham is an industrial and economic powerhouse perched right at the heart of England. Whilst London is undoubtedly the national centre for culture and city tourism, this exciting city packs more than enough attractions into its 100 square mile size.
From top-notch museums and galleries to gastronomic institutions, a journey through Birmingham is one that travels through past, present and future. This is a city firmly rooted in its rich and storied history yet whose eyes are, without doubt, fixed intently on the opportunities ahead.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the top five things for elderly people to do in Birmingham…
Pay a Visit to Cadbury World
In Birmingham, everybody’s childhood dream becomes a reality at the globally famous Cadbury World. One of the UK’s top family attractions, this is a real life chocolate factory that’s just as much fun for the kids as it is for adults. Attractions here include a self-guided tour of the manufacturing process, providing a truly fascinating insight into how the world’s favourite confectionary gets made. There’s also a thrilling 4D chocolate adventure whilst a 19th century recreation of the city’s famous Bull Street area is sure to excite history buffs. Throw in a chocolate making workshop or just a visit to the Cadbury store – the largest on the planet – and a visit to this temple of cacao is sure to be a delicious Birmingham experience.
Soak Up The Culture Of The Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
This internationally renowned museum at the heart of Birmingham City Centre is packed with cultural and artistic masterpieces. Located on the pleasant cobbles of Chamberlain Square, visitors to the BMAG (as locals know it) will be pleased to know that entry to the main exhibitions is free, whilst some extra collection in the Gas Hall may require payment. Art highlights here include stunning Pre-Raphaelite masterpieces by the likes of Ford Madox Brown and Edward Burne-Jones. Furthermore, visitors to the museum can marvel at works by great masters such as Botticelli, Bellini, Degas and Turner at the excellent Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.
Embrace Nature at Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Located in the handsome Edgbaston area of the city, Birmingham Botanical Gardens are a 15-acre collection of lawns, glasshouses and flower beds designed by renowned horticulturist J.C. Loudon. A day out at the Botanical Gardens, especially pleasant on a summer afternoon, will take in a wide variety of tropical and foreign plants and flowers. There are four primary glasshouses in total, each showcasing a different region of the globe. These are the tropical glasshouse, the subtropical, the Mediterranean and the arid. The park’s crown jewel is a beautiful Victorian bandstand set amid greenery. Featuring a playground, cafe and even an aviary in which dozens of exotic birds are kept, Birmingham Botanical Gardens is a key facet of the second city’s outdoor life and remain one of the locals’ best-loved features.
Spend the Day Watching a Game at Warwickshire County Cricket Club
Edgbaston Cricket Ground is the main cricket stadia in Birmingham whilst also being home to Warwickshire County Cricket Club. One of the largest and best cricket grounds in the country, Edgbaston has a capacity of 25,000 and is renowned for hosting some of the greatest games ever to have been played in England, including the key test in the 2005 Ashes series.
The nation’s fourth largest cricket stadium, Edgbaston continues to host games of all kinds including Twenty20 and International Test matches. No matter who is playing a day out at Edgbaston to watch the cricket can be a wonderfully relaxing and yet thrilling way to while away a summer day in Birmingham.
Get Ready to Learn at the Amazing Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum
As a city with so much scientific history, it is only right that Birmingham has its own world-class science museum. Thinktank has been drawing in thousands of visitors every year since 2001 to its state of the art facility in the city’s Digbeth neighbourhood. Of particular note here is the museum’s fine collection of aircraft, locomotive and automotive vehicles, many of which are in pristine condition hundreds of years since their manufacture. In addition to the Spitfire’s and Hurricane’s that hang dramatically from the ceiling, there are vintage Mercedes and Morris Minors to thrill all tastes. Truly, a visit to Thinktank is one of the finest educational activities to enjoy in Birmingham.
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My granddaughter is studying in Birmingham, this has given me some ideas for when we visit her at uni !