Believe it or not there are quite a few activities in Birmingham that you can take part in that are completely free. Whether it’s a solo trip, fun with the family, or a get together with friends there’s lots of fun things you can be doing without spending a penny. This guide will show you the best places to visit that are free, from galleries to donkeys that activities available are endless.
Ikon Gallery
Situated in the lovely Brindley Place, Ikon Gallery is a stunning location showcasing some of the greatest contemporary art pieces Birmingham has ever seen. With regular events and interchanging exhibitions the Ikon Gallery is a must visit as no two trips will be the same.
The current exhibition showing at the Ikon Gallery is the Passionate Pilgrim by Melati Suryodarmo. Melati is an Indonesian artist known for her strenuous durational performances that aim to test the limits of the mind and body. Her performance often combines live art, sculptures, and photography to represent themes of labour and identity. This exhibition will be held until the 3rd September and will be hosting a range of live performances from Suryodarmo that demonstrates their artistic journey over the years.
Alongside the exhibitions there are weekly tours held every Friday at 1 pm until the 1st September. These are also repeated on Sundays at 3 pm until the 3rd September for 15 minutes. The tours are also completely free and will be led by professionals at the Ikon Gallery to help you understand the exhibition.
At the end of your visit, you’re going to want to have a small look around their gift shop. With many books and exhibition guides the shop is filled with lots of interesting things to remember your visit by. Additionally, any profits made from the small shop are donated to the Ikon’s charitable artistic and educational programme.
The gallery is open from 11 am to 5 pm from Wednesday to Sunday each week. Booking is not required just simply show up and enjoy what the Ikon has to offer.
1 Brindley Pl, Birmingham B1 2HS
Library of Birmingham
Opened in 2013 the Library of Birmingham is another free destination that should be on your list to take a look round. With 10 levels filled with lots of archives there’s so many things to discover on every floor, you won’t be stuck for things to see.
With 2 stunning outdoor garden terraces this library is not like your typical local book hut. The terraces have a wonderful view of the city which make for great lookout points and take in the sites. Its safe to say this will be much more exciting than your usual library visit and will certainly leave you wanting more.
The outside is also not to be overlooked as the architect is definitely a talking point. Being one of the largest libraries it most certainly stands out for its size and its looks.
The public library is open from 11 am Monday to Saturday during that time you are welcome to roam the library and discover its beautiful features until early evening.
Centenary Sq, Birmingham B1 2EA
The Donkey Sanctuary
The Donkey Sanctuary is potentially one of the best free activities Birmingham has to offer. Located in Sutton Park the sanctuary allows you to meet their small herd of donkeys and watch them in their natural habitat.
Alongside just meeting the herd you can also partake in other features the sanctuary offer. If you have fallen in love with an in particular donkey you can chose to adopt them. For a small fee per month you will be able to adopt the donkey with the money going towards the charity to help the welfare of the sanctuary and their herd’s. Further to this they also have donkey assisted activities these aim to help people develop their life skills and assist individuals to deal with daily challenges. These activities also strive to promote better and positive attitudes towards donkeys and let people create a bond with the animals.
This charity has been running for over 50 years and has been dedicated to transforming the lives of donkeys. The charity set out with the vision to help donkeys live happy lives that are free of suffering. To do this they rely on people visiting the sanctuary and making voluntary donations so they can protect and look after the donkeys. With this help and assistance, the donkeys get to live good and happy lives where they are protected in the sanctuary.
Your free slot can booked online and must be done in advance to your visit. The sanctuary has select opening days so checking online before your visit would be advised to ensure they are open.
Cannon Hill Park
Not too far from the city centre is Cannon Hill Park filled with lots of activities the park is a lovely spot to go. Covering 250 acres of ground the park has entirely free entry for you to explore every inch of Cannon Hill. Whether it’s a morning jog or an evening stroll the park accommodates for all whatever you want to get up to.
Opening up in 1873 the park wants to give the people of Birmingham a lovely scenic place to relax where they can get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The park is the perfect spot for picnics with family and friends so pack a blanket and a few sandwiches and you’ll be set for the ultimate picnic lunch. On top of all of this the park is also dog friendly meaning your fury friend does not have to miss out on any of the action Cannon Hill Park has to offer, and with all that green space they’ll be able to have fun for hours. Finally, with tarmacked paths it also makes a good spot to ride your bike around the park
Cannon Hill Park does have free entry but inside the gates there are a few activities that cost just a little but could make your day out that bit more exciting. From boating, fishing, bowls, tennis, and crazy golf all these can be found inside the park and there is something for everyone to do.
The park is open every day from 7:30 am until 9 pm at night which is great for those visits before and after work.
Russell Rd, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8RD
Digbeth
known for being Birmingham’s coolest neighbourhood, Digbeth is located right beside the city centre. Filled with friendly, creative, and welcoming people Digbeth is a great spot to visit and take in all the sites. From fun graffiti to quirky shops this place is filled with unique things around every corner.
The walls of Digbeth are covered in graffiti pieces that show off the artistic talent the district is known for. You can take a walking tour around Digbeth looking at all the art pieces and seeing which is your favourite one.
You could pay a visit to the Custard Factory which is home to lots of creative and independent bars and activities that all have a quirky feel, this place really is like nothing else in the city.
With lots of small independent shops it’s the perfect place for some window shopping. Digbeth is home to some beautiful vintage shops such as Cow and Red Brick Market which are packed with amusable knick knacks and stunning clothing pieces.
Mailbox
Located just a few minutes walk from Grand Central the Mailbox is such a luxurious place to visit. While not everything inside the Mailbox is free to do it’s still a lovely place to take a look around and see what treasures are inside.
Castle Fine Art is one of our favourites to visit while in the Mailbox. With lots of talented art pieces by fantastic artists the gallery is a good spot for anyone with a creative flare. Harvey Nichols is also located inside the centre; this department store is home to lots of boujie brands perfect for browsing the isles and seeing what trending. Medicine amongst other restaurants are also here, making for a great pitstop after your tiring day out.
Royal Mail St, Birmingham B1 1RS
Birmingham Canals
Finally, a walk along the famous Birmingham canals is a must do in the city. Located around Brindley Place the canals are a relaxing and beautiful place to take a stroll and take in the sites. You could see the canal boats sail down the water or even watch those stunning summer sun sets.
