Things to do in Birmingham – International Association for the Psychology of Religion Conference 2025

For attendees wishing to explore the city, this page provides a list of nearby attractions, dining, and entertainment options.

On Campus

There are several attractions right here on campus for you to enjoy between sessions.

Public Sculpture Trail: The campus features a self-guided trail that includes numerous sculptures, monuments and friezes. You can find more information and a map on the University’s website.
The Green Heart: A 12-acre parkland at the centre of the campus, featuring walking paths, event spaces, and plenty of room to relax between sessions.
Winterbourne House and Garden: A restored Edwardian Arts and Crafts house with a seven-acre botanic garden, offering a peaceful escape. For opening times and tickets, visit the Winterbourne website.
Lapworth Museum of Geology: Explore life-sized dinosaur skeletons and an extensive collection of fossils, minerals, and rocks that cover 4.6 billion years of history. Entry is free. For more details, see the Lapworth Museum website.

Birmingham Canal Tours: Take a boat trip through the city’s canal network. Departures are available from locations like Sherborne Wharf. More information can be found at the Visit Birmingham website.
Cadbury World: An attraction dedicated to the history and production of Cadbury chocolate, with exhibits and a self-guided tour. Tickets can be booked at Cadbury World.
Black Country Living Museum: An open-air museum with preserved historic buildings and costumed guides demonstrating life in the region’s past. For information and booking, visit the Black Country Living Museum website.
Walking Tours: Various companies offer guided walking tours focusing on different aspects of the city, such as its history, architecture, or music scene. Find out more at the Visit Birmingham website.

Birmingham offers a wide range of restaurants and food options.

Close to the campus: The nearby areas of Harborne and Stirchley are both popular for their dining scenes and within walking distance of the Edgbaston campus.
- In Harborne, a nearby area with a vibrant high street, you can find the popular eateries such as local pub The Plough and the Middle Eastern-inspired coffee house and deli Damascena.
- Stirchley offers sourdough pizza at Alicia’s Micro Bakehouse and Vietnamese cuisine at Eat Vietnam.

Fine Dining: The city has many fine-dining restaurants, including Opheem and Simpsons Restaurant.
The Balti Triangle: An area south of the city centre known for its concentration of restaurants serving Balti, a type of curry that originated in Birmingham. Find out more at the Visit Birmingham website.
City Centre Restaurants: The city centre offers many dining choices, such as contemporary Indian cuisine at Dishoom or the modern European menu at Orelle, which has rooftop views.

Birmingham has numerous pubs, bars, and entertainment venues.

Broad Street: A central area with a high concentration of bars and nightclubs, such as Rosies.
Brindleyplace: A canal-side development with a variety of bars and restaurants.
Live Music: Venues for live music include the O2 Academy Birmingham and smaller venues like The Sunflower Lounge.
Theatres: The Birmingham Hippodrome and the Alexandra Theatre host a wide range of touring productions, musicals, and plays.

Key shopping areas in the city include:

The Bullring: A large shopping centre containing major high-street and department stores, including Selfridges. A store directory is on the Bullring website.
The Jewellery Quarter: A historic district with a large number of jewellery workshops and retail shops.
Custard Factory: A collection of independent shops, galleries, and cafes located in the Digbeth area.

Birmingham has several notable museums and art galleries.

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery: The museum focuses on the city’s history and holds a significant collection of Pre-Raphaelite art. (Note: The museum is undergoing major redevelopment. Check the Birmingham Museums Trust website for current access).
Ikon Gallery: A gallery dedicated to contemporary art from international artists. Exhibitions are listed on the Ikon Gallery website.
Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum: An interactive museum focused on science and technology, which includes a planetarium. For information, visit the Thinktank website.

For more ideas, check Visit Birmingham for events and activities during your stay.