24 hidden gems in Birmingham & beyond to discover - from hidden catacombs to Buddhist monuments
Whether you are new to Birmingham or are an old-timer, you are likely to find something new in this list that you can add to your weekend plans
Birmingham is a massive city with an area of 267.8 sq km, and even someone born here is unlikely to have seen all of it. However, there are some unique places hidden around the city. If you consider yourself an urban explorer, this list will help you.
Whether you are new to Birmingham or are an old-timer, you are likely to find something new in this list that you can add to your weekend plans. You can rediscover your city thanks to the massive number of places to explore it has to offer.
From nature reserves to old homes and museums, Birmingham and its surrounding areas has much to offer to visitors and residents. Every old city has layers and layers of stories within itself that can be unpeeled - and there would still be more to know.
Here are 24 hidden gems that will take you away from the usual shopping centres, and into interesting corners that have a unique story behind it:
From nature reserves to old homes and museums, Birmingham and its surrounding areas has much to offer to visitors and residents. Every old city has layers and layers of stories within itself that can be unpeeled - and there would still be more to know.
5. Soho House
Soho House was the home of the industrialist and entrepreneur Matthew Boulton from 1766 to 1809. It became a favourite meeting place of the Lunar Society - a group of free thinking scientists and industrialists included Joseph Priestley, Erasmus Darwin, Josiah Wedgwood, James Watt and William Withering. (Photo by Wehwalt/Wikimedia Commons)
6. Lapworth Museum of Geology, Birmingham
The Lapworth Museum of Geology is run by the University of Birmingham and is located on the university’s campus in Edgbaston. The museum is named after the 19th century geologist Charles Lapworth. It has a great collection of fossils and other specimen. (Photo - Shantavira/wikimedia commons)
7. Edward Burne-Jones stained-glass windows, Birmingham Cathedral
Birmingham Cathedral has some rich history hidden in plain sight. There are four stained glasse artworks by Pre-Raphaelite artists Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris in the cathedral.
8. Mailbox, Birmingham
Under The Mailbox lies a tunnel used by Royal Mail to transport millions of letters and parcels to Birmingham’s New Street Station. It was opened in 1970 and was shut in 1998. (Photo - Local TV)