Society19 UK
Now Reading
10 Places You Need To Visit As Soon As You’ve Moved In To The University Of Birmingham
Society19 UK
Society19 UK

10 Places You Need To Visit As Soon As You’ve Moved In To The University Of Birmingham

by
January 14, 2025

Birmingham is not only a great place to study but also amazing to explore. If you’re a fresher starting out this semester or a long time student who has just managed to miss out on these places, then you should make sure to check out the locations that make Birmingham such a beautiful city.

1. Old Joe and The Green Heart

The first place you have to explore as a student at the University of Birmingham is the beautiful campus. The new Green Heart, a multi-million pound project by the university, has opened up the campus, creating an open view from Old Joe and his red brick surroundings, right up to the North Gate. The area is a great place to sit, eat or study in nicer weather, with many of the benches having USB charging ports, and Old Joe provides the perfect Instagram post to announce the start of your studies to all your followers.

However, beware! As much as the students of Birmingham are proud of our iconic clock tower – he is after all the tallest freestanding clock tower in the world – there is a big superstition surrounding him. It’s said that if you walk below his arch as he chimes then you will fail your degree so maybe save that until after you’ve graduated

Advertisement

2. The Lapworth Museum of Geology

The Lapworth Museum of Geology is one of campus’s hidden gems. Tucked around the back of the university’s main buildings, it is no wonder that many of the students don’t even know it exists. The museum holds a collection of rocks and fossils as well as interactive displays on volcanoes and earthquakes but the main attractions are the dinosaurs. So with free entry, it’s definitely worth checking out!

Advertisement

3. Winterbourne House and Gardens

Located on the edge of campus, Winterbourne House and Gardens is free for students, all you need to do is show your ID card! Moving to a big city can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re from somewhere a bit more quiet so, if you’re looking to surround yourself in nature for a while, then this little oasis is perfect. There are green houses and a garden with a little pond where you can sit and soak up the sun.

Venturing into the house you can learn about John Nettleford and his wife, the couple who built and first lived in the house back in 1904. So, if history is your thing then definitely give it a visit but even if it’s not, we’ve heard that the tea room is cracking.

Advertisement

4. The Bullring

Venturing off of campus, the Bullring is Birmingham’s iconic shopping centre right in the middle of the city. Not only is it the place to go if you’re shopping or eating out but it’s also home to the bull statue – a must have photo for every Birmingham student’s Instagram page. Whether you want to visit Selfridges or maybe the world’s largest Primark is more your budget, there’s something for everyone here.

5. The Library of Birmingham

The largest public library in the UK, the Library of Birmingham is a must-visit spot for any student. Of course, the university has it’s own library but it’s a good idea to get familiar with this space for days when that is too full. It’s also just an interesting place to visit, with the ornate architecture making it one of the city’s biggest landmarks.

Advertisement

Aside from the thousands of books, the best part of the library is a hidden secret on the seventh floor. The rooftop garden, looking out across the city, is the best place to take a break if you’re fed up of studying.

6. The Custard Factory 

The Custard Factory is an independent shopping centre and creative workspace in Digbeth, set in the building of the old Bird’s factory. But, among students, it’s mostly known for it’s really cool street art and as an edgy location, perfect for a photo shoot. New artists are constantly making their own additions to the walls, making for an ever changing area with new things to see on every visit. It’s also very close to New Street and the Bullring, so easy enough to reach if you fancy checking it out.

Advertisement

7. Ghetto Golf

Staying in the Custard factory, you have to visit student favourite Ghetto Golf. This psychedelic, graffitied warehouse has been converted into a crazy golf, cocktail bar perfect for a night out. Each of the eighteen holes is amongst super cool set design that gets stranger as you go, from hitting the ball through an old bus to graffitied bathroom, and an old pub to Mario land. You can also grab a drink as you go which may not improve your aim but will definitely improve the experience.

Advertisement
See Also
Please use as feature imageRight in the bottom corner of the country is the county of East Sussex. Home of the Battle of Hastings, our many castles and stony beaches. If you grew up in East Sussex, here are some things you would know if you lived here.We’re known for our beachesMost of the beaches at East Sussex are easy and quick to get to but these usually consist of pebble beaches which are extremely uncomfortable to sit on. This is usually the main attraction to people on the summer which is usually packed with people on hot sunny days.And our piersWe are renown for having a few piers such as the one of Brighton. Of course, we used to have the one in Hastings…before it was burnt down. But of course, we have many more we can go to.Bonfires are a huge eventSussex is extremely renowned for its bonfires and parades. These usually comes with parades and firework shows which happen across East Sussex in October and November. Each town does it slightly differently, but all consist of great parades and fireworks.You always loved going to the arcadesThere are many amusement parks and arcades across East Sussex. Although we know how likely we are to win at these games, you can’t help but waste your money just to get one of the fluffy toys. Either that or we try to work together with our friends to get as many tickets as possible, then have to decide whether to cash in the tickets separately or combine them for a bigger price. Or wasting all your 2p machines where you spend your spare chance, and so much more, just to get one of the key chains.The Battle of Hastings was always the one piece of history you always rememberedThe most famous piece of history about us is the Battle of Hastings, which is bombarded into our history lessons when we get the chance. Not to mention an all-day field trip of the battle grounds themselves.You bragged about how it’s the home of ChoccywoccydoodahIf you ever watched this show, you would know that its home is right here in East Sussex. There is another shop in London but of course, its main home is right here. Chocolate cakes and everything chocolate sculpted into anything and everything.The majority of the population consisted of elderly individualsIn many of its small towns like Bexhill and Little Common it’s the place many people retire to. Full of scenic places and cafes, its great to retire but it means that you see more of them more than any other age group. So, when you move out of East Sussex, you find it weird when you see more younger people around.Brighton is the first thing outsiders will mentionIt’s a large city and when you mention to anyone outside of East Sussex that you’re from East Sussex, the first thing they’ll mention is Brighton. Of course, you can say which town you’re from but not a lot of people would really know where that is.You travelled to cities to hang outIf you lived in a village or town, you always went to a city to hang out with friends. In the south of east Sussex, everyone always wanted to go to Hastings or Eastbourne. They’re both bigger towns but with the large amount of music gigs, Hastings was always preferred by many.You were limited for choice for universitiesThere was either Brighton University or the University of Sussex but that was the only options unless you wanted to specialise in animal management or music. Regardless, if you did want to go in Sussex, Brighton is the main city with universities in them.Not a lot of celebrities come from or live hereAlthough there isn’t many celebrities that come here, we did have a few that lived here. For a while, Eddie Izzard lived in Bexhill. During this time, Bexhill college named their new theatre after him. That and, both Brighton and Eastbourne were the centre locations for Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging, but as for celebrities, it isn’t really the place you see them, unless they’re on holiday and visiting of course.Have anything else to add about East Sussex, comment below.
You Know You Are From East Sussex If…

8. Cadbury World

Other than Peaky Blinders and Baltis, Birmingham is famous for Bourneville and Chocolate. At some point during your studies at Birmingham, you have to visit Cadbury World. The chocolate factory is now a museum and tourist attraction where visitors can learn about the history of chocolate, the construction of Bourneville and the inner workings of the factory. You also get some sweet freebees and a visit to the Cadbury shop.

After your visit to the factory, be sure to check out the local area. Just over the bridge from student area Selly Oak, Bourneville is home to some adorable houses, shops and the air occasionally smells like chocolate.

Advertisement

9. Cannon Hill Park and Wildlife Conservation Park

If you are looking for a more scenic location in the otherwise busy city, Cannon Hill Park is a good choice. A half an hour walk from campus, Cannon Hill park is a stunning park with a lake, swan boats, tea room, old buildings and plenty of squirrels. Whether you’re there for a picnic or to feed the ducklings in spring, there’s plenty to do with a crazy golf being a good option for a warm day.

There is also a wildlife conservation park just outside of Canon Hill with entry for students costing only £5.30. Though it isn’t a full sized zoo, you can see meerkats, red pandas, monkeys and much more during your day out.

Advertisement

10. Licky Hills Country Park

A bit further out than the rest of these locations, Licky Hills Country Park is the most accessible country side for students looking to take a break from the city. Simply hop on a train from University Station and get off five stops down at Barnt Green. From there you can explore the woodlands of the country park and climbing to the top of the hill offers you a view back out to the city. You can even spot the University in the distance if you look hard enough, with Old Joe making an appearance on the city’s skyline.

Advertisement

Have we missed out any must-see locations? Let us know in the comments below!

Featured Image Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/B1D5RimHUWE/
Tags