Birmingham & Midland Institute: Self-Guided Audio Tours

This self-guided audio walking tour explores central Birmingham through its grand civic spaces, landmark buildings, and lively public art. It suits first-time visitors who want an easy introduction to the city’s character, from Victorian ambition to modern cultural energy. Your route begins at Cathedral Square, where St Philip’s Cathedral rises in warm stone above a green pocket in the city center. From there, you head to Victoria Square to see its broad open space, fountains, and sculpture, then pause at Birmingham Town Hall with its striking Roman-style columns. The walk continues to Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and Chamberlain Square, where ornate Victorian architecture meets recent redevelopment. You then cross into Centenary Square and the Hall of Memory, where the mood shifts from busy streets to remembrance. After that, Broad Street opens up with its louder, more modern city life, leading you to Symphony Hall, known for its superb acoustics, and finally to the Ikon Gallery in Brindleyplace, set in a former school building beside the canal. Along the way, the most memorable moments include the contrast between cathedral calm and city bustle, the stone grandeur of Birmingham’s civic buildings, reflective memorial spaces, and the change in atmosphere as canals, concert halls, and contemporary art bring the walk to its finish.

Fishing for a good time in the West Midlands? Reel in a ticket for SEA LIFE Birmingham, and spend an afternoon with a _fintastic_ array of remarkable marine wildlife from the deep blue waters around the world. See graceful sharks, alien-like eels, crafty octopuses, waddly penguins, colourful clownfish, and lots more, in a fun and educational environment.

Delight in the world of chocolate and enjoy a fascinating, fun-packed day out at Cadbury World! You'll learn how your favourite confectionery is made, doodle in chocolate and add your favourite treat to a delicious pot of warm melted Cadbury Dairy Milk. Discover the origins of the cocoa bean before jumping onboard the magical Cadabra ride and meeting the famous Cadbury drumming gorilla. Plus, join Freddo and a whole host of Cadbury characters as they whisk you away on an journey in the 4D Chocolate Adventure cinema experience, complete with motion seats! Dive into a bowl of liquid Cadbury Dairy Milk, ride the Crunchie roller coaster and take to the skies in a Cadbury Creme Egg airship piloted by the Caramel Bunny.

Capture your kid's imagination with a visit to LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Birmingham. Scratch the surface of this creative wonderland and you'll find a mini-city made from 1.5 million bricks, an immersive 4D cinema, an enchanted castle-crashing quest, and so much more. As goofy and funny as it is stimulating and educational, LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Birmingham is a total must for inventors and explorers of all ages.