Located just a two-hour train ride from London, Birmingham (yes, the same city featured in Peaky Blinders) is often overlooked by travelers in favor of London, Manchester, York, Wales or Scotland. Yet as England’s second-most populated city, Birmingham offers a mix of history, culture and contemporary urban life. With an ambitious masterplan to rebrand and revitalize the city by 2040, now is a great time to discover what Birmingham has to offer for business travelers and tourists alike.
© Aoife O’Riordan
Birmingham’s rise began during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, when it became one of the epicenters of the Industrial Revolution. While industry shaped its growth, today the city’s economy is diverse: services, retail and tourism play major roles alongside manufacturing. The result is an evolving, lively city that blends historical landmarks with modern development.
One of Birmingham’s most appealing areas is its canal network, especially the Birmingham Canal Old Line. Restaurants, bars and cocktail lounges line the narrow waterway, creating a lively atmosphere by day and a twinkling, reflected scene after dark. Along the canals you’ll find familiar pub chains as well as unique spots like Aluna, a creative cocktail bar known for imaginative presentations and bold flavor combinations. Whether you prefer a classic pint, a craft cocktail or something theatrical, the canal quarter delivers variety and energy.
© Aoife O’Riordan
For a central-city start to the day, 200 Degrees Coffee offers freshly roasted beans, specialty drinks and daily pastries in a warm, rustic setting. The city center also hosts distinctive pubs such as The Head of Steam, which embraces a steampunk, Victorian-inspired décor alongside classic pub fare, and The Trocadero, where plush seating and a broad beer selection create a relaxed, welcoming environment.
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Cultural attractions add depth to a visit. The Library of Birmingham stands out with its striking architecture and a rooftop offering nearly 360-degree views across the city. Inside, the Shakespeare Memorial Room houses one of Britain’s most important Shakespeare collections, including rare items such as a copy of the First Folio from 1623.
Fans of Peaky Blinders will notice large murals near Birmingham New Street Train Station depicting characters from the series, and the city runs guided tours that highlight filming locations and the show’s local connections.
© Aoife O’Riordan
Historical sites remain an important part of Birmingham’s character. The Birmingham Back to Backs Museum preserves working-class homes from the Industrial Revolution, offering insight into how families lived in tightly packed urban housing during the city’s industrial heyday. Carefully restored interiors and guided tours let visitors experience that era firsthand.
Looking ahead, Birmingham’s masterplan aims to make the city carbon neutral by 2040 while transforming its urban fabric. Plans include more than 100 miles of new transit routes to improve connectivity, doubling green space, and constructing contemporary residential and commercial buildings. One notable addition will be One Ratcliff Square, a 152-room hotel with an alternating lattice-style façade designed by Howells and a sky bar on the 16th floor offering panoramic views. The hotel is part of the larger Paradise development, which will reconfigure the surrounding area with new commercial buildings and enhanced pedestrian connections.
Whether you’re drawn by history, culture, innovative dining or ambitious redevelopment, Birmingham offers a rich and varied city experience. With continued investment and a clear vision for the future, it’s a destination worth exploring now and in the years to come.