Birmingham Walking Tour: Explore History & Future

Discover the rich industrial history and stunning Georgian architecture of Birmingham on a walking tour starting at the Library of Birmingham. Learn about the city’s pioneers, Victorian heritage, and future developments while supporting a local charity.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Library of Birmingham - We start and finish at this amazing new liibrary that is one of the major tourist attractions of Birmingham
What's Included
  • Live audio system for clear tour guidance.
  • Complimentary receiver loan for each guest to hear the guide.
  • Guests should bring earphones with a 3.5mm socket.
  • New earphones provided if needed.
What's Not Included
  • This tour may use an audio system - but not always.
Additional Information

Embark on a two-hour walking tour to uncover Birmingham’s rich history, vibrant present, and promising future, beginning at the Library of Birmingham. Delve into the city’s canals, its Georgian industrial trailblazers, the social and structural shifts of the Victorian era, and the impressive modern architecture. The tour highlights the city’s diverse…

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

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(339 Ratings)
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Onthedirtroad
May 13, 2025
An appreciated review of a local's guide to Birmingham! - Jonathan was a wealth of information and entertaining as well. Well worth the tour to learn about the city of Birmingham and the hidden gems.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lachelp
Apr 19, 2025
Look at Birmingham’s buildings and history with new (informed) eyes! - A big Thankyou to our tour guide Michael Harrison who opened our eyes to Birmingham’s evolving architecture and the socio-economic changes it reflects. We had such an enjoyable 2 hours taking in the centre of the city and learnt so much from this retired university lecturer on the history of architecture. The audio system works really well and the experience was well paced and very informative. Thankyou!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nomad638049
Apr 15, 2025
Very enjoyable tour of Birmingham city centre - A very interesting and entertaining tour of Birmingham city centre. I know Birmingham quite well but still learned a lot. We were quite a large group and Jonathan very helpfully set up a tour specially at a time that would suit us.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pauline_b
Apr 3, 2025
Great way to acquaint yourself with Birmingham City Centre on arrival. - Happy to recommend this walking tour. Busy and informative, great way to acquaint yourself with Birmingham City Centre on arrival. Jonathon is very experienced and knowledgeable, enjoys the walks and is engaging, he makes it good fun and we learnt alot about Birmingham! Thank you.
Review provided by Viator
Chris
Mar 31, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyable two hours discovering Birminghams highs and lows. - Who’d of thought that Birmingham had so many interesting tales, Very informative, with plenty of humour, great experience, that I would highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Resort20907123965
Mar 22, 2025
Very interesting and enjoyable tour - We had a fantastic tour including some of the highlights of Birmingham and areas we wouldn't have found on our own. Really interesting history and stories, canals, architecture and Jonathan was a very enthusiastic and entertaining guide. We will definitely return to do one of the other tours another time!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Benjaminm478
Mar 22, 2025
You will learn so much on this tour - Fantastic tour of the centre of Birmingham. Learned so much about the city's history, notable people, architecture and art. Added bonus were the cherry trees in blossom 🌸 and meeting Andy Street, former West Midlands Mayor. Jonathan was a very enthusiastic and entertaining guide.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Merche-6
Apr 14, 2025
A Birmingham taster tour! - Great tour to have an introduction to Birmingham city. Many places to visit in a city where new and old is blended.The library is beautiful, walk near the canal is worthy, cathedral windows are grand, Victoria square not to miss etc.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
W4363klsimonh
Mar 16, 2025
Fantastic introduction to an often overlooked historic city - Jonathan was a superb guide and a real advocate for the fascinating history of this major British city. He was very knowledgeable about the topic and showed selected highlights in a well-planned 2-hour tour. Everyone stayed the course, despite a very cold wind, which is great testament to Jonathan's enthusiasm and an obvious pride in Birmingham (despite it not being his native city)! If you are looking for a great introduction to the city's highlights is a short and easily accessible walk, this tour is highly recommended. I have drive through (by motorway) and changed trains and attended conferences at Birmingham many times, but never taken time to actually visit the city before now. Surprise yourself with the sights and stories of this city, which is constantly reinventing itself. Bravo Jonathan!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
141maartjed
Apr 18, 2025
Seen some nice places. Way too rushed! - What a beautiful city Birmingham! We were 7 adults aged 21 to 82 years old. The tour so far as we could join him song beautiful spots see. But what a rush.... Went way too fast ... and not only for the oldest of the bunch ... too bad we couldn't finish the tour....
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $20
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).