Five Things To Do On A Day Out in Birmingham
10th April 2017
The author of the Taming Twins blog, Sarah, took her family to Birmingham and found 5 things to do on a day out in the city.
National SeaLife Centre
The Birmingham National SeaLife Centre is alongside the famous Birmingham canals and facing the buzzing Brindleyplace area. It’s the only inland SeaLife centre in the UK, with real seawater shipped in tankers up the M40 to fill it!
There’s over 2,000 amazing sea creatures to meet at the SeaLife Centre and the only 360 degree viewing tunnel in the country. You can touch a starfish, meet the resident penguins and learn more about the stunning sharks.
Also, don’t miss the 4D cinema experience. You can dive into the action with daring aquatic explorers Captain Barnacles, Kwazii and Peso - The Octonauts!
There isn’t a cafe in the area, but if you fancy a pit stop, there’s some great places for a coffee within the Brindleyplace area.
ThinkTank Science Museum
The award winning Midlands science museum is a must visit for kids. It has so much to explore, including its very own planetarium where you can lay back and enjoy an amazing night sky show right above you.
You can learn about science through the ages and how it has shaped our lives and will continue to do so in the future. The exhibits are fun and interactive for children of all ages (the majority being best suited to 4 plus).
Practise being a doctor or dentist in the mini city, learn how to circuit a car and bring it to life and take control of the in-house robot to make him sing a tune.
Don’t miss the science garden at the front of the museum, it’s absolutely fantastic, especially if you choose a sunny day. It demonstrates scientific principles in a really fun, physical way that kids will LOVE to get stuck in to.
Bistrot Pierre
A great spot to stop for lunch by the canals is in this Grade II listed building. Ask for a table in the side glass extension to enjoy watching the boats come and go past below you.
If you’re visiting with children, they are very welcoming, providing colouring books and activities along with a super kids menu.
They also do a brilliant Sunday roast if you’re visiting at the weekend!
Birmingham Central Library
Completed in 2013 this striking building is a real public local landmark (13 million people a year walk past it!) It is the largest public library in the whole of the United Kingdom. The library houses over a million books, has nine floors - six of them open to the public - and can hold 3,000 people.
There’s lots to see (apart from the books of course) including regular exhibitions, a cafe and the view from the top.
It’s worth looking on the website to find what’s on when you’re visiting as they often have visiting speakers and hold regular family events. You can also download a free app for iOS and Android from the library which allows you to browse and discover wonderful content, and embark on trails around Birmingham.
Botanical Gardens
Just outside the city centre in leafy Edgbaston, The Birmingham Botanical gardens house over
7,000 types of plants in 15 acres of gardens.
The gardens are a perfect place for a picnic or for kids to let off steam. There is a big children’s playground and also a children's discovery garden where children can learn about plants through interactive play.
Don’t forget to check the events schedule, as it includes family activity sessions for youngsters, outdoor theatre, plant fairs, shows and a band performs in the bandstand every Sunday afternoon between April and October.
Stop for an ice cream from the café on your way in to enjoy as you wander the gardens.
Cadbury World
The suburb of Birmingham, Bournville, is home to the original Cadbury’s chocolate factory. You can now visit the chocolate lovers dream at the visitor attraction, Cadbury World.
Welcoming over half a million visitors each year, Cadbury World guides you through the story of their chocolate, how it is grown, made and sold. You can learn everything you could ever want to know about the delicious Cadbury’s chocolate.
Don’t miss the amazing Cadbury’s hot chocolate in the cafe, the 4D cinema experience and the factory zone in the huge chocolate shop for brilliant bargains.
If Cadbury World has tickled your tastebuds, the nearest train station is Bournville.
By Sarah Barnes
