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 stone’s throw away from our City Centre Campus, Digbeth is full of Instagrammable street art, with plenty of fun and new things to do. Want to play board games all day? Check. Always wanted to go to a roller disco? Check. Want to shop sustainable, one-of-a-kind vintage clothing? plenty of great shops for thrifting. If you’re heading to Birmingham, visiting Digbeth is a must!

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. If you’re a fan of beautiful landscapes and tropical plants, it’s a must-see being one of Birmingham’s blooming attractions. You’ll also discover our very own 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. The Floozie lost her Jacuzzi when the fountain was turned into a flower bed in 2016, but the good news is the fountain is set to flow again very soon. Make sure to check out this Brummie landmark next time you venture into the city centre. 

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. As a city of makers, Birmingham has many quirky museums for you to discover. 

H is for Harborne

A chic hotspot of the city, 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 into town; 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 very own 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. Think 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 and coffee at Ethyon Cafe.

If you’re up for a big night out, you’ll find the mainstream clubs on Broad Street, while the more alternative music nights are down in Digbeth. For independent breweries and bars, head to Stirchley, Kings Heath or the Jewellery Quarter. So, whether you're after a big night out or a more chilled experience, Birmingham has you covered.

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 are definitely worth a visit.

A final honourable mention to the park outside Birmingham Cathedral, which is lovingly known as Pigeon Park. Hanging out in this park was part of many a Brummie’s youth, so it’s kind of a rite of passage to spend at least one afternoon here watching the world go by with your friends.

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

Brum is quickly becoming a vegan hotbed. Be it the obvious speciality restaurants you want to dip your toe in or have as your new local, to supermarkets or vegan only clothing, Birmingham is in the middle of a vegan boom.

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. Head to Dudley to visit the Black Country Museum and discover what life was like in the Industrial Revolution. Or visit Bumble Hole Nature Reserve to see how nature is reclaiming the former industrial landscape.

Getting around is easy with Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) on buses, trains, the tram, and even bike and scooter hire. Look out for student travel discounts to make it even more affordable to discover everything the West Midlands has to offer.

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. Wander up New Street browsing the stalls, have a dance and sing-along in Victoria Square, or head up to Pigeon Park for independent local sellers and food.

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 bringing the whole 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 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.