The Sunday Times released its fresh guide of the ‘coolest’ postcodes to move to in the UK this year.
From towns with bakehouses and bottle shops to micro-breweries and seaside saunas, the newspaper’s guide features the trendiest place to live in 2025.
Brum’s central neighbourhood of Digbeth has taken the top spot in the UK for 2025. We’ve long known Digbeth as a vibrant social hub, so it’s good to see the area get the credit it deserves. We ventured into the heart of Digbeth to find out why it’s becoming so popular.
Digbeth. The Custard Factory. Guinness in The Old Crown. Cocktails in Luna Springs. Mama Roux’s. The Night Owl. The Rainbow. Pizza, burger joints and eye-popping graffiti bursting with colour everywhere you look.
The area was recently praised by the judges for its its canals, railway arches and warehouses decorated with extravagant street art.
There is a lot going on in Digbeth, too. Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight has opened Digbeth Loc Studios - the first major television and film production facilities of this scale to ever be developed in Birmingham, and the BBC has moved its Midlands operation to the former Typhoo Tea factory, while MasterChef is bringing its kitchen to an old banana warehouse.
Former council leader Ian Ward has said:“With HS2, the Midland Metro extension and MasterChef on the way, our vision for Digbeth is to build on established creative businesses, attracting and encouraging new ones, while developing a vibrant urban community with entertainment, living and cultural opportunities.
“Now, we aim to use this BBC move as a catalyst for the wider regeneration and development of Digbeth as a hub for media and creativity.”
It’s definitely a place on the up with work ongoing to link the city centre to Digbeth via Curzon Street as part of the Metro’s Eastside Extension. There’s also a number of new apartment blocks being built while, at the rear of Digbeth coach station, the monumental £1.9 billion Smithfield development will begin to take shape across the next decade.
But what about Digbeth today? These are some of the things we’ve tried in the district recently. Here’s our Digbeth bucket list:
1. Crazy golf at Golf Fang
One of the most popular attractions in Digbeth, Golf Fang (formerly Ghetto Golf) offers a colourful, immersive crazy golf course that’s not for the faint hearted – expect lots of cheeky obstacles along the way. There’s 18 holes split over 2 floors, ending at the bar so you can enjoy some cocktails afterwards. You can find out more and book via the website. | Laura McEwan
2. Visit Digbeth Loc Studios
There’s also still a lot of optimism when it comes to Birmingham’s burgeoning film and TV industry, with Digbeth at the heart of it. The neighbourhood will soon become home to Masterchef, the BBC’s new Birmingham headquarters and Digbeth Loc. Studios, conceived by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight CBE. Part of the new Peaky Blinders film will begin shooting this month at the studios. And if you want to work at the studios, you can book a tour of the workpspaces available for creatives at the studio | 4Wood
3. Bowling at Roxy Ballroom
It’s a classic – who doesn’t love tenpin bowling? Perfect for both dates and fun with the family, this place has large dedicated lanes plus a few other fun games around it to enjoy once you’re finished. Expect an eclectic soundtrack of rock and indie music plus a well stocked bar. The website has all the information you need. | Google Maps
4. Baking competitions at The Big Bake
For those that love baking and being creative in the kitchen – this one is for you. The Big Bake is a hands-on experience to give you a taste of what it’s like to be a Great British Bake off contestant. You’ll prep, bake and decorate your creations. It’s great for groups and the website has all the details and booking information. | Google Maps