The Best Family Birmingham City Guide!

Birmingham is the second largest city in the UK, and it's a city with art, charm, history, and personality oozing out of its buildings, its streets and those who call the city home.

Birmingham is a truly unique city where you can actually see the layers of history. 

It's because of this uniqueness that we can't wait to share with you our Birmingham City Guide featuring our "Top 9 Family Attractions", which really are just skimming the surface of the really fun things to do in Birmingham with kids!

So make sure you read our entire Birmingham City Guide we've proudly put together just for you, so you can plan that perfect family day out in this exciting and vibrant West Midlands city - and not miss out on anything!

Main Image Credit: West Midlands Growth Company

Image Credit: West Midlands Growth Company

In this super fun Birmingham City Guide, you'll can discover our top 9 things to do with kids, as well as learn some fun experiences perfect for all ages!

We know budgets are more often than not a consideration when travelling as a family, so also in this Birmingham City Guide we share with you some FREE things to enjoy together that won't break that budget!

If you are visiting Birmingham without a car, we also share some great tips on how to get around the city, plus we share some fun facts about Birmingham that you can impress your friends with!

If you want to explore further out of the city, our Birmingham City Guide also outlines a popular day trip that won't disappoint, plus you can learn some famous faces born right in the city! (With a musical theme!)

So whether this is your first trip saying "Yes, take me to Birmingham"! or perhaps you have lived in the city all your life but never explored so you're wondering "What is there is to do near me in Birmingham?", then keep reading because we are excited to share our top 9 things to do in Birmingham with kids...and so much more!

Image Credit: West Midlands Growth Company

Did you know that Birmingham - the second largest city in the UK - was a Warwickshire market town during medieval times? Did you also know that it was during the Industrial Revolution of the 18th century that the city really began to grow? This was a period called the "Midlands Enlightenment". See kids, history IS interesting!

Let's take it back even further. The earliest evidence archaeologists have of human activity in the Birmingham area dates back to around 8,000 BC. That's a LONG time ago! The Stone Age artefacts that were found suggest seasonal settlements, including overnight hunting parties. 

Burnt mounds uncovered also suggest that humans first really settled and cultivated the area during the Bronze Age (which kids, is about 3300 BC to 1200 BC). with the 1st century AD introducing Romans into the picture.

The real development of Birmingham into an area of significance began in 1166, when a man named Peter de Bermingham secured a charter to host a market at his castle.  This site is now the location of the iconic Bullring! See kids, so much history!

Surviving the Civil War, Battle of Birmingham and WWI's "Birmingham Blitz" bombings, as well as being a hub for various important trades and industries (did you know that the city was the terminus for both of the world's first two long-distance railway lines?), Birmingham really has seen it all, and come out the other side to be this incredible city (and important University city), that we know and love today!

Image Credit: West Midlands Growth Company

Birmingham is an exciting, fast moving city, and the activities to enjoy there are just as exciting! There is so much diversity in what the city offers, you won't have any trouble finding something for all ages and interests.

Love history? Great! Head to attractions such as the Black Country Living History Museum where you can re-live life in the past, or explore the ruins of the Weoley Castle.

Kids always love attractions such as SEA LIFE Aquarium, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre and the delicious Cadbury World!

Get WILD at Edinburgh Zoo, immerse yourselves in nature at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, or feel inspired by the art at the Scottish National Gallery!

With so many fun things to do in Edinburgh with the family, we know  you'll soon have that family day out itinerary filling up! So kids, what do you want to enjoy first?

Image Credit: West Midlands Growth Company

Getting around the city of Birmingham is really easy thanks to the buses, trains, trams and cycling tracks you can find across the city.

Even walking is an easy way to explore!

Fancy the train? You'll find eight local rail lines that criss-cross the city which means you'll have access to quick links to some of your favourite attractions.

If the train doesn't work for you, Birmingham has the West Midlands Metro tram network, which runs 7 days a week and it's environmentally friendly!

The tram line can take you from Centenary Square, through to Grand Central, Bull Street, the Public Transport Interchange, the Jewellery Quarter and St. Paul's. There's also a great bus network which are also wheelchair accessible.

The bus and tram options use a cashless payment system. You can just credit on your card to buy single and return tickets, as well as day tickets.

An easy way to look at the routes and plan your journey and buy tickets is to head to the TfWM.

If you want to take your time and really immerse yourselves in the city, it might surprise you to hear that Birmingham is a very cycling friendly city, with plenty of traffic free city cycling routes thanks to the Birmingham Cycle Revolution.

Don't forget to take your walking shoes too, because there really is so much to see just by exploring on foot. See, you don't need a car to enjoy Birmingham! In fact, being car-less might make your trip that might more special.

For more information, check out Visit Birmingham!