Homepage
History Tours
From Canals and Victorians to Today's City: Birmingham Walking Tour

5 (301)

Birmingham, GB

Link has been copied to your clipboard

/ Person

Your Product

Select participants

Child (6-15)

Min: 0 Max: 15

Youth (16-20)

Min: 0 Max: 15

Adult (21-90)

Min: 1 Max: 15

You should select a minimum of and a total maximum of

At least one participant is required. Please adjust and try again.

Free Cancellation up to before the experience starts (local time)

Please wait, fetching options!

Experience the captivating history and vibrant present of Birmingham on this 2-hour walking tour. Starting and ending at the Library of Birmingham in Centenary Square, this tour takes you on a journey through the city's canals, industrial Georgian pioneers, Victorian heritage, and modern architecture. Discover the current redevelopments happening right before your eyes and explore the future direction of Birmingham. Not only will you gain a great introduction to the city, but you will also be supporting the charity Sifa Fireside, as 10% of all ticket sales goes towards their work on homeless issues. With knowledgeable guides and fascinating stops along the way, this tour is a must for both locals and visitors alike. Book now and uncover the hidden gems of Birmingham.

About this experience

Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
Admission Included
2 hours
Suitable for 1-15 Participants
Private Tour, Small Group Tour
Guided Experience & Audio Guided

Highlights

Discover the canals and industrial heritage of Birmingham
Explore the Victorian architecture and history of the city
Witness the exciting redevelopment projects happening in Birmingham
Immerse yourself in the vibrant art scene of Birmingham
Experience the rich cultural heritage and landmarks of the city

Included

We use a live audio system. each guest is loaned a receiver to hear the guide who wears a radio transmitter. guest bring their own earphones with a 3.5mm socket or we provide a new pair.

Not included

This tour may use an audio system - but not always.

Popular Hotels Closeby

More about this experience

Introduction

Step into the vibrant city of Birmingham and uncover its rich history and architectural wonders on the "From Canals and Victorians to Today's City: Birmingham Walking Tour". This 2-hour walking tour is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the heart of Birmingham and discover its fascinating past and exciting future. Starting and ending at the iconic Library of Birmingham in Centenary Square, this tour is sure to capture your imagination and leave you craving for more.

What to expect?

During the tour, you can expect an engaging and informative exploration of Birmingham's canals, industrial Georgian pioneers, Victorian heritage, and modern architecture. Your knowledgeable guide will lead you through the city, sharing captivating stories and insights as you uncover the city's hidden gems. From the bustling Symphony Hall and ICC to the atmospheric Gas Street Basin, every step will unveil a new facet of Birmingham's intriguing history and vibrant present.

Who is this for?

This walking tour is designed for both locals and visitors who want to delve deeper into the history and culture of Birmingham. Whether you're a history enthusiast, architecture lover, or simply curious about the city's transformation, this tour offers something for everyone. Open to all ages and interests, it welcomes individuals, couples, families, and groups who are eager to explore Birmingham's past and present.

Why book this?

Embarking on the "From Canals and Victorians to Today's City: Birmingham Walking Tour" promises a unique and enriching experience. Not only will you gain valuable knowledge about Birmingham's heritage, but you'll also support the charity Sifa Fireside, who work on homeless issues in the city. With at least 10% of ticket sales donated to this important cause, you can feel good about making a difference while immersing yourself in Birmingham's captivating history.

Good to know

Make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated during the tour. The Library of Birmingham, where the tour starts and ends, is conveniently located in Centenary Square, making it easily accessible. Don't forget to check out the special offer on the book "Positively Birmingham" at the Library shop, which provides further insights into the city's cultural heritage. Prepare to be amazed by Birmingham's stunning architecture, fascinating stories, and the ever-evolving cityscape.

Reviews

Feedback from previous participants of the "From Canals and Victorians to Today's City: Birmingham Walking Tour" has been overwhelmingly positive. People have praised the knowledgeable guides, engaging storytelling, and the opportunity to discover hidden gems within the city. Many reviewers commented on how the tour provided a deeper understanding of Birmingham's history and architectural significance, allowing them to see the city in a new light. Overall, participants have expressed high satisfaction with the tour, viewing it as a must-do experience for both locals and visitors.

About this product

How long before the event do I need to book?

You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

Mobile

Is an adult required for the booking?

At least one adult or senior required per booking

Meeting point & End point

We start and end at the main entrance of the Library of Birmingham in Centenary Square, B1 2EA

Library of Birmingham, Centenary Sq, Birmingham B1 2ND, GB

Your Itinerary

Library of Birmingham

We start and finish at this amazing new liibrary that is one of the major tourist attractions of Birmingham

International Convention Centre Birmingham

We look at Symphony Hall ad the ICC and it's role in the city.

Brindleyplace

We look at the history of Brindleyplace as well as the modern day.

Gas Street Basin

We consider the coming of the canals and look at this amazingly atmospheric centre of the Country's canal network.

Victoria Square

We consider public art and also the development of Birmingham during the Victorian period. We look at the developments in the up to date city

Chamberlain Square

We look at the way Birmingham is moving into the future.

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

We pass the entrance and see the amazing 1880s design of the double portico.

Admission Included

The Mailbox

We see the conversion of the former post office sorting office into a mixed use development which includes the Birmingham headquarters of the BBC.

Admission Included

The Cube

The cube is major development at the back part of the Mailbox development. Views from the upper floors are among the best in the city.

Admission Included

Ikon Gallery

(Pass by)

The Ikon Gallery was originally built as a school and is one of over forty built by the architects Martin & Chamberlain.

Hall of Memory

Art Deco style memorial built originally in 1925 to remember the fallen of the First World War but now includes WW II and more recent conflicts. Houses some fantastic art deco features including William Bloye tablets.

ICC Mall

The main route from Centenary Square to the canalside.

Town Hall Birmingham

The oldest building in Victoria Square dating from 1834.

Additional information

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Participants should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Our route can be accessible for wheelchairs but we do need to modify the route and would appreciate an email from you if you intend to bring a wheelchair. Our Access Policy is clearly stated on the Positively Birmingham Walking Tours website.

Reviews

(301)

5 (301)

Stewart_I

Fantastic walking tour. Great pace. Saw so much of the City. Knowledge and friendly guide. Top notch.

MQ122014

Really informative, Johnathan is amazing at giving an insight into the history of Birmingham, especially the social history!

Karen_B

Great tour. Super knowledgeable and personable guide. Fascinating insight into the development of Birmingham over the last 45 years from his personal experience and before that too. Good pace too, no dawdling about, saw loads. Lots of ideas and recommendations. Highlight of our weekend in Birmingham. Great!

GardeningGreta

We had such a great afternoon. Informative, interesting, and fun. We may not have walked as many steps as we thought we had - but our brains got a fantastic workout! Thank you Jonathon for sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm for this under-celebrated city. And thanks for my Acme Thunderer that brought back so many memories of my early days as a PE teacher. As all good refs know: it's not only the volume of the AT, but the authority with which it is blown that ensures behaviour on the pitch!

Amanda_B

Michael our guide was amazing. So knowledgeable. Really enjoyed the walking tour. So lovely to learn about the history of Birmingham

loris_bsk

Jonathan is a very good guide, passionate, and very knowledgeable. I was a bit worried about understanding everything, but in the end, it was not a problem.

Duncan B

Great tour. Jonathan was energetic, knowledgable, and funny. Sound system worked very well for a tour of 18 people. Nice walking tour on a brisk day.

travelmommynyc

Johnathan was a fantastic tour guide. Very knowledgeable and fun. Tour hit great highlights of Birmingham. Would definitely recommend.

Z2753QFkellyb

I am a born and bred Brummie and found this absolutely fascinating! Our guide was hilarious, good natured and clearly had a wealth of knowledge to impart. I had an overseas guest with me and thought it would be fun to be a tourist in my own city - and it was! Loved the plug in headphones that meant you could walk 20 paces behind and still hear what was being said. Learned some truly wonderful nuggets about Birmingham, which left me feeling nothing but pride for a city which is so often put down. Heartily recommend these walks, not least for the amount of money they donate to the homeless in Birmingham. Bravo - keep up the great work!!

F1818EHangelaf

Michael helped us to see so much more in the architecture and history of the buildings of the city than we could ever see on our own.

Collected by Evendo & our supplier partners

2024-06-18 12:17