Birmingham is one of the most diverse and multi-cultural cities in the UK and more and more people who want to explore the UK beyond London visit Birmingham. Not only does Birmingham have amazing attractions but it renowned for its food scene, with the most Michelin starred restaurants outside London.
Once upon a time, Birmingham was known for industrial works but it has had a facelift since then - and is now a modern and glitzy city but, with it’s uniqueness intact.
The things that make Birmingham unique can sometimes be difficult for visitors to understand and they may end up making mistakes. For instance, “You all right bab?” just means “Are you OK, my love?”
If you don’t want to get caught making a cultural faux pas - there are some things to keep in mind when visiting Birmingham.
Below are 17 mistakes tourists make (and, I did too when I first moved here in 2021 from New Delhi) and how to avoid them:
9. Thinking that spaghetti junction is a popular dish
Spaghetti Junction or the Gravelly Hill Interchange is a complex or massively intertwined road traffic interchange that resembles spaghetti. Not to be mistaken for food! (Photo - National Highways) | National Highways
10. Not going on a canal trip
Birmingham has 35 miles of canals, which is said to be more than Venice. So, there’s loads to explore through the waterways of Birmingham. You can hire a barge - or grab a Go-boat (Photo - LTV) | LTV
11. Not visiting free attractions
Just because an attraction is free doesn’t mean it’s going to be rubbish. The Ikon gallery in Brindleyplace is free to enter and so is the Library of Birmingham. While the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is also free - it is currently undergoing repair works and is closed. (Photo - Google Maps) | Google maps
12. Missing out on the Bear Grylls Adventure and the NEC
The Bear Grylls Adventure is a daring series of epic challenges. You can feel like you are walking with the popular TV show host as you undertake the activities like wind tunnels that let you free-fall and more. It’s a haven for thrill seekers. The NEC - which is close to the Birmingham Airport - has a lot more going on including events at nearby Resorts World Arena. (Photo - The Bear Grylls Adventure) | Missing out on the Bear Grylls Adventure challenge