A-Z Guide of Birmingham

A is for Alright Bab

A warm local greeting, basically like saying hi. Everyone can be a bab, and you'll hear this all the time around Birmingham and the Black Country.

B is for Brummie

Brum is the nickname of choice for our city, and people who live here call themselves Brummies, but why? This name evolved from a historic name for the city, “Brummagem”. While the city’s name may have changed, the locals still carry this tradition on and calling yourself a Brummie has a cultural meaning that can’t be replaced. Anyone can become a Brummie, once you make the city your home.

C is for Canals

Did you know Birmingham has more canals than Venice? Ok, maybe not quite, but Brummies are fond of the statistic that we have more miles of canal than Venice. The canal network played an essential role in Birmingham’s industrial past, ferrying tonnes of materials for the improvement of the city and turning it into the City of a Thousand Trades.

Now, the heart of the canal network around Brindley Place has been redeveloped into canalside bars and restaurants where locals relax after work. Plus, the canals are a great place to connect with nature by going for a walk or cycling to escape the city for a while.

D is for Digbeth

Just a short walk from our City Centre Campus, Digbeth is full of vivid street art. It's also where you can find Birmingham creatives cooking up exciting new ventures and collaborations. Digbeth First Friday, Neighbourhd and Pan Pan are just a few of the most intriguing community spaces the area has to offer. 

E is for Edgbaston

Edgbaston is a leafy area of Birmingham, with parks and tree-lined streets, some of which lead to the doors of the famous Botanical Gardens. Discover tropical plants and an extremely varied events calendar, plus BCU students and staff can enter for free. You’ll also find our City South Campus in Edgbaston, the student hub for our health courses.

F is for Floozie in the Jacuzzi

The fountain in Victoria Square is home to ‘The River’ sculpture, affectionately named the Floozie in the Jacuzzi by pretty much everyone. The Floozie is a key landmark in a beautiful part of Birmingham. Spend an afternoon sitting on the steps watching the people of the city come and go. 

G is for Galleries

Discover contemporary art that pushes boundaries at IKON, uncover the history of the city and classic artworks at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, or get hands-on with science at ThinkTank. You can also be inspired by the work of final-year creative students every year, across our campuses and the city. 

H is for Harborne

THE spot for charity shopping in Birmingham. Bougie Harborne is a 15-minute bus ride from the city centre and a short walk from our City South Campus. The area is home to a range of things to do, including a monthly farmers market which is held on the second Saturday of each month, and Harborne Walkway, a trail that follows an old railway track all the way to Edgbaston Reservoir; perfect for a quiet escape on your doorstep

I is for Independents

Birmingham is a thriving hub for over 100 unique independent retailers, with more popping up all the time. You will find independents sprawled all over the city, often tucked away down side streets, but be sure to head to independent hotspots such as Great Western Arcade, Piccadilly Arcade, Digbeth and the Jewellery Quarter to discover a range of hidden gems. To find out more and support our wonderful independents across the city, visit Independent Birmingham for the latest openings, events and discounts. 

J is for Jewellery Quarter

The Jewellery Quarter is the gem in Birmingham's crown. With a history stretching back more than 250 years, the area has a rich heritage of creativity and technical skills, which has led to Birmingham being recognised as a World Craft City.

K is for Kings Heath

Kings Heath is a treasure trove of hidden gems with an urban village feel. You can head to a gig at the Hare and Hounds, poke around for one-off finds in the many charity shops or sip your favourite coffee in one of the many heavenly brunch places. Be sure to check out local favourite York Road, independent restaurants, bars and shops the city has to offer. 

L is for Library of Birmingham

One of the city’s most iconic and divisive pieces of architecture, the Library of Birmingham is the largest regional library in Europe. Whatever your opinion about the exterior, it’s a peaceful place to relax, read and learn in the heart of the city. There are multiple “secret” balcony gardens to explore, and with access to the National Film Archive and the Shakespeare Memorial Room, it’s a great place to visit even when you don’t need to borrow a book. 

M is for Music

Birmingham's musical DNA runs deep. As the birthplace of heavy metal, we gave the world Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and Napalm Death. Our vibrant reggae and sound system culture produced Musical Youth, Steel Pulse, and Apache Indian, while BCU's Royal Birmingham Conservatoire has nurtured talent like Laura Mvula and multiple BBC Young Jazz Musicians of the Year.

Today's rap scene is buzzing with artists like Jaykae, Mist and Sanity. The city's annual hip hop festival celebrates the best in dance, graffiti, DJ'ing and MC'ing – proof that Birmingham's musical legacy continues to evolve.

N is for Nightlife

Birmingham's nightlife is constantly evolving. Get a group together for competitive socialising at Lane 7 with bowling and more, board game nights at Chance & Counters, classic arcade gaming at NQ64 or a relaxed evening of chess with Chess Cafe Brum.

O is for On the ball

Birmingham lives and breathes sport. From the roar of the crowd at Villa Park to the excitement of a cricket test match, you'll experience unforgettable live sport here. The 2022 Commonwealth Games left a legacy of sporting excellence in the city, with the world-class Alexander Stadium now a home for BCU Sport and the UK Athletics Championships.

Whether you're watching, playing, or studying it, Brum’s got a real buzz around sport.

P is for Parks

Being outdoors is known to aid your mental and physical well-being. Not only does Birmingham have more than 500 parks for you to discover, including Cannon Hill Park, Sutton Park (one of the largest urban parks in Europe at 2,200 acres!), Handsworth, Perry Hall, and Summerfield Park, which are definitely worth a visit.

Q is for Quieter Tourist Spots

If you want to enjoy the history of Birmingham from a more peaceful point of view, there are plenty of spots to explore around the city. You may not know that Birmingham was the inspiration for many of the settings in Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, with J.R.R. Tolkien having studied in the city from the age of eight. You can immerse yourself in the world of Middle Earth by taking the Tolkien Trail, an excursion that will take you around the natural sights and buildings that inspired the films. 

R is for Restaurants

Birmingham is a food lover's paradise. From delicious street food to the hottest places trending on TikTok, the city is packed with well-known chains and full of independent cafés and bars.

With its diverse population, the city's restaurants cater to all, with many offering halal and vegetarian options. Birmingham also holds the most Michelin stars outside of London, and while your student budget might not stretch to a tasting menu, it shows that the food culture here is thriving.

S is for Shopping

It’s fair to say Birmingham’s got you covered when it comes to shopping, from high street stores to restored Victorian arcades, markets that pop-up throughout the week to top-notch thrift shops for those second-hand bargains.

Birmingham is a shoppers’ paradise. The famous Bullring is packed with modern, glossy, big-brand shops. It’s always developing, opening new stores and staying on trend. For high-end choices, start with the iconic Birmingham Selfridges in the Bullring or head over to the Mailbox for top designers. There’s also Grand Central, which offers yet more top brands and a wide selection of tasty food, and not to mention, it’s the gateway to the city. 

T is for Tara-A-Bit

Pronounced TA-RAH-A-BIT. Tara-a-bit means goodbye. It can be shortened to just ‘ta-rah’ and is probably one of the more popularly used Birminghamisms. 

U is for Us of Course

We are the university for Birmingham. Our students are the future of our city: its engineers, and its health care professionals; its accountants and lawyers; its teachers and its artists. We are Birmingham to our core.

V is for Vegan

There are amazing food options for vegans in Birmingham. BA-HA serves up delicious comfort food that even your meat-eating friends will love. Land offers plant-based fine dining that's perfect for special occasions. Alterna is a vegan bakery, perfect for lunch or brunch. 

W is for West Midlands

Birmingham is at the heart of the West Midlands, a region with its own distinct spirit, proud history, and diverse communities. From the industrial heritage of the Black Country to historic towns like Sutton and Coventry, there's plenty to explore. Getting around is easy with Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) on buses, trains, the tram, and even bike and scooter hire. 

X is for Xmas market and more

People travel from all around the country to visit Birmingham's Christmas Markets, the largest German Christmas market outside Germany.  But Christmas isn't the only major celebration for us. Eid brings massive street parties for the city's Muslim population, with community events like Eid in Kings Heath and Ramadan Streets. The Chinese Festival Committee host an enormous Lunar New Year celebration, bringing the city together. 

Y is for Yam Yam

A common term for someone from the Black Country, it comes from the local dialect and speakers' tendency to replace the word are with am e.g. “’Ow am ya?” rather than “How are you?”. If you go to the Black Country Living Museum, you’ll get a chance to hear this dialect in its full glory. 

Z is for Zoo and Safari Park

Birmingham is home to the Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park, which originally began its life as Birmingham Zoo in 1974. It’s a much loved destination for anybody wild about wildlife and is home to lemurs, wallabies and the must-see red pandas. The park is based a short bus ride from BCU in Cannon Hill Park, just south of the city.