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:
5. Classic films at The Mockingbird Cinema
A fully independent cinema, The Mockingbird is nestled right in the heart of the Custard Factory. As well as showing the latest films this two screen cinema often plays classic films from across the decades, franchise marathons and even music/theatre shows. Follow the Instagram page for updates. | Laura McEwan
6. Video games at NQ64
If you love classic arcade gaming you’ll love NQ64. Hit the bar, buy some tokens and enjoy an array of games from across the decades. You’ll find pinball, retro consoles, arcade machines and racing games, plus more hands on fun like Guitar Hero and Dance Dance. For more information visit the website. | NQ64
7. Themed brunches at Luna Springs
If you’re a fan of a bottomless brunch and have a large group to satisfy, the themed brunches at Luna Springs offer lots of fun at a pretty good price. Whichever you attend you can expect live DJs, roaming performers and plenty of frivolity. When the weather gets warmer you’ll find open cinema events and festival-type fun and games. Check the website for the full events listing. | Google Maps
8. Go-karting at Teamworks Karting
For those that like to get behind the wheel and enjoy a speedy experience, go-karting is a thrilling way to spend a few hours. Whizz around the course or challenge your friends to a race to the finish. They also have laser tag here! Visit the website for more information and booking. | Laura McEwan