Walking Tours in Birmingham: The 9 Best for a Short Stay

1.Birmingham Walking Tour: Canals, Victorians & Today (1:30pm)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 346 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $20Our pick

Start at the Library of Birmingham for a two-hour guided walk through Gas Street Basin, Brindleyplace, Victoria Square, the ICC, the Mailbox, and more. Guides such as Jonathan and Michael mix city history, personal stories, humor, and practical orientation. The tour uses a live audio system when needed and ends where it begins.

“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.”

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2.Discovering Birmingham 2 hour Walking Tour to the Jewellery Quarter

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 333 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $20

Join Jonathan Berg, Bernard, Ann, or Maria for a two-hour Birmingham walk from Centenary Square to the Jewellery Quarter and back. Expect canals, Georgian buildings, cathedral architecture, public squares, post-war planning, modern redevelopment, funny stories, and an audio receiver that keeps the guide clear in a group of up to 40.

“Good blend of information and story-telling. Jonathan’s clearly very knowledgeable on his subject matter and, linked with his enthusiasm, it was a pleasure listening to him.”

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3.Birmingham Slogging Gangs Walking Tour with Edward Shelby

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 306 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $27

Walk central Birmingham with character guide Edward Shelby, who brings the city’s real slogging gangs to life through stories, pub stops, police history, weapons, tea, and international crime. The two-hour English tour covers the Gunmakers Quarter, Chinatown, High Street, and other city sights. Expect plenty of walking, theatrical touches, and a group of up to 20 people.

“Edward is amazing, he took time for us and showes us all the interesting Spots. You will laugh and learn a lot.Everytime again!”

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4.Birmingham City Centre Daily Walking Tour (10:30am & 2pm)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 265 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $19

Start at Birmingham Cathedral and walk through Victorian squares, war memorials, industrial canals, Broad Street, and the Ikon Gallery. Guides such as Dee, Phil, Peter, Richard, and Carlos bring local stories and humor to this English-language tour. The easy pace suits first-time visitors, families, and anyone wanting a useful city overview before exploring alone.

“Great guide, he was very knowledgeable and was accommodating for our group. Would do this again as I am sure I missed some things.”

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5.Birmingham Gangs Nighttime Historical Walking Tour with Pub Stops

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 53 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $34

Join a guide such as Edward for a three-hour Birmingham night walk linking canal-side pubs, gang history, skinhead culture, and a Peaky Blinders art installation. The group can reach 20 people. Drinks cost extra, and the route ends at The Botanist by Gas Street Basin.

“My friend and I wanted something a bit different to do for a night out in Birmingham so we booked the Peaky Blinders Historical Walk - with pubs! I am so glad we did, Edward is a charming and very knowledgeable guy who gave us the history of the gangs in Birmingham along with other really interesting pieces of information about the city (in which I was born). It was also a great laugh as we had various stops along the way at different drinking venues. I would definitely recommend this if you have a couple of hours free.”

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6.2.5-Hours Walking Tour of Birmingham into Black Heritage Madiba

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 49 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $19

Join Marcia, Gary, or Garry for a guided walk from Soho House into Handsworth’s Black heritage. You’ll visit Handsworth Park, see local architecture and arts trails, hear about musicians and community leaders, and learn how Black, Irish, and Asian communities shaped Birmingham. The small group is capped at 12.

“Learning about the reality of things we thought we knew and hearing an unbiased truth of past times was very interesting.Our guide Marcia was a really great guide. Her knowledge of the heritage around Handsworth is amazing. We would highly recommend this tour. It was raining when we were out and Marcia was really kind to us and made us a cup of tea at the centre when we got back so that we could dry out.”

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7.Birmingham Private Self-Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 13 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $12Best value

Follow Helen’s audio guide through central Birmingham on a private, self-guided route lasting about two to three hours. You’ll trace old canals, see the Roundhouse, Library of Birmingham, Bullring, Chinatown, and Gay Village. The app includes GPS directions, photos, videos, and three weeks of access, but you must set it up before arriving.

“This was my first audio tour and I loved it. Really interesting and it showed me parts of Birmingham that I wouldn't have found otherwise, and why I should find them.”

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8.Private Birmingham Ghosts and Gallows Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Walk Birmingham’s city center with a guide such as Peter or Hannah, tracing public executions, industrial-era crime, haunted railway platforms, and the story behind the Baskervilles. The private tour lasts about 90 minutes, covers nine central stops, and suits families, history fans, and anyone seeking a darker side of Birmingham without graphic horror.

“As a family of three, we did the later Halloween Gallows and Ghosts tour of Birmingham. We had a lot of fun hearing about all of the stories and seeing the sites of gangs, criminals and deaths around the city centre. I'm local, and a lot of this was even new to me. Hannah the guide was very friendly, knowledgeable and happy to answer questions. So all-in-all we had a great time, and I would definitely recommend.”

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9.Birmingham Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4 reviews

Start in Centenary Square and walk through Birmingham’s civic center to Victoria Square, St. Philip’s Cathedral, and Brindleyplace. Your private guide, with examples including Peter and Mary M., can adjust the talk to your interests. Expect city stories from the Stone Age and Roman Britain to canals, trade, and the English Civil War. Entry fees are not included.

“I went on a walking tour with Peter. He was very nice and knowledgable about the city. His stories were interesting and he kept it lively even in the rain. I loved the tour and learned some things.”

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