Trains to Birmingham

Take the train to Birmingham, where Victorian grandeur rubs shoulders with street art murals, and canals glisten beneath industrial heritage. This city's heart beats with a rhythm of culture, nightlife and Brummie banter. Birmingham's waiting to sweep you off your feet.

Culture and heritage

From Victorian echoes to Brummie beats, Birmingham's a city where culture wears its heart on its sleeve. Its youthful energy, amplified by its title as Europe's youngest city, bursts through museums, galleries and history-tinged streets.

Explore its industrial heart at Thinktank and the Coffin Works, or step back in time at Birmingham Back to Backs , preserved Victorian houses and cobbled streets that tell tales of working-class life.

More than just factories and canals, the city’s diverse neighbourhoods like the Jewellery Quarter offer a labyrinth of workshops and dazzling boutiques where traditional craftsmanship meets modern flair and hipster venues.

Must-see Victorian landmarks include the Baroque Town Hall and ornate Council House .

But Brum's not stuck in the past. The striking, glass-clad Library of Birmingham on Centenary Square celebrates the written word through its fascinating archives and the historic Shakespeare Memorial Room.

Its canals, once veins of industry, are now perfect for riverside strolls.

And as a city that's a breeding ground for creative talent - think acting legends like Julie Walters and David Harewood, comedy kingpins like Frank Skinner, and musical royalty like Duran Duran and Jorja Smith - there’s always something new happening on every corner.

Birmingham’s Attractions

From cobbled lanes to cutting-edge marvels, Birmingham's a city where the past and present come together.

Stroll through the Jewellery Quarter, where converted warehouses, now brim with independent shops alongside historic workshops, that echo the district's industrial heritage. Dip into the fascinating world of penmanship at the Pen Museum , where intricate nibs trace the city's artistic past.

But Birmingham isn't stuck in the past. Dive into the magical underwater world of the National Sea Life Centre or build brick empires at the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre. At Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum, young minds ignite with wonder as they explore the cosmos in a 4K planetarium, and even create mini-tornadoes or compose vegetable symphonies in the Science Garden.

For a taste of Birmingham's sweeter side, indulge in chocolate-making demos at Cadbury World and craft your own delicious souvenirs.

Capture the spirit of the city with a selfie by the iconic Bullring bull, Damien Hirst's defiant mascot. Gaze upwards at the futuristic ripples of Selfridges , a beacon of retail innovation that reshapes the city skyline and check out other modern marvels like the glass-clad Library of Birmingham

Be sure to check out the region's 2FOR1 offers to make the most of your visit to Birmingham by train.

Food and drink

Forget bland bites, Birmingham bursts with flavour at every corner.

In the bustling Jewellery Quarter (JQ), sip cocktails at The Button Factory 's rooftop garden. Channel your inner alchemist at Grain and Glass home to the Birmingham Whisky Club, or raise a glass (or three) at multi-award-winning 40 St Paul's Gin Bar .

Then enjoy organic goodness at The Hive , set in a charming Victorian jewellery factory, or fill up on street food at Hockley Social Club , a former printing press. For sophisticated bites in an old rolling mill factory, try The Rolling Mill ,

For canalside dining head to the Mailbox and the Gas Street Social , an indie restaurant specialising in brunch, or wander along Gas Street Basin’s towpaths to The Canal House with its outdoor terrace.

Craving a taste of the East? Head south to the Balti Triangle , where fiery curries sizzle in hot metal bowls, or near the city, the Chinese Quarter includes the modern Pan-Asian buffet-style Ming Moon restaurant and Cafe Soya with vegan and vegetarian options.

For the ultimate in vegan eating, try Land in the Great Western Arcade.

Ready to refuel while shopping? The Bullring’s restaurants range from sushi to mezze, tapas to Thai.

Sports and outdoors

Beyond the roar of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the city shows its passion for the outdoors and sports.

Become your own urban explorer with a self-guided walking tour. Themed routes include Peaky Blinders and a Canalside Walk.

Need an adrenaline rush? Bear Grylls Adventure awaits ten minutes by train. Climb walls, swim with sharks and conquer your fears.

Skip the concrete jungle for a breath of fresh air at Birmingham Botanical Garden , one of the UK's largest botanical gardens. The gardens burst with exotic plants among Edwardian tropical glasshouses, an aviary, butterfly house and manicured lawns.

For more sporty activities, glide through the city's veins on a guided kayaking tour , navigating the intricate canal network or head to Edgbaston Reservoir for paddleboarding, kayaking, and sailing. While winter adventurers can hit the slopes at Ackers Adventure Centre only two miles from the city centre.

Football fans can cheer on the Blues (Birmingham City FC) at St Andrew's Stadium or join the "Villans" chanting for Aston Villa under the Villa Park lights.

Witness lightning-fast track stars at Alexander Stadium , home to the Diamond League Athletics and British Championships, or settle in for a day of elegant tension at Edgbaston cricket ground.

Music and nightlife

Birmingham's rhythm beats to its own drum, pulsing with nightlife that caters to every musical taste. Whether you crave chart-topping anthems electrifying the air or want to be swept away by the elegance of a classical concerto, Brum's got a stage for it.

Dive into historic pubs like Clifden , in the Jewellery Quarter, where Victorian charm meets Banksy murals and craft brews flow. And in converted waterside warehouses, Gas Street Basin hums with live music nights after dark,

In the city centre, explore the Sunflower Lounge for edgy, up-and-coming music. For laughs, catch rising stars at the Glee Club or try open mic nights in the Old Joint Stock , a former bank turned Fuller's pub with a small theatre that also hosts comedy shows and performances.

For larger-scale events, Utilita Arena Birmingham on the canalside stands as a renowned venue for music, comedy gigs, sports and family events. And giants like Arena Birmingham and Resorts World Arena bring in superstar concerts, motocross jumps and international sports.

Immerse yourself in classical and jazz performances at Symphony Hall and Town Hall , or indulge in opera and blockbuster musicals at Birmingham Hippodrome —a cultural treasure catering to every artistic taste.

Shopping

Ready to shop 'til you drop? Birmingham's your playground. So grab your bags and unleash your inner bargain hunter,

Dive into the revamped Bullring Centre and Grand Central , a labyrinth of 200+ stores spanning from high-street staples to the landmark Selfridges .

Indulge in high-end goods at The Mailbox and browse through racks of designer labels at Harvey Nicks before finishing off with a spa treatment.

Or step into the Victorian Great Western Arcade, where you'll stumble upon hidden treasures like unique pop-up shops and indie boutiques. Then rummage for vintage treasures at The Rag Market .

Unearth treasures in the Jewellery Quarter, a global hub for craftsmanship. Fattorini 's historic workshop, Mitchel & Co 's award-winning designs and Victoria James ' stunning gemstones are just a glimpse. For the unconventional, try Elizabeth Anne Norris ' recycled metals or The Quarter Workshop 's make-your-own-ring classes.

For a modern twist, Resorts World Birmingham a family-friendly complex with shops, a cinema, bowling alley, escape rooms and gaming arcades just a 10-minute walk from Birmingham International train station.

Stations

Birmingham New Street (BHM)

Address:
Birmingham New Street station
Station Street
Birmingham
West Midlands
B2 4QA
Visit station page

Where do LNR trains to Birmingham arrive and depart?

LNR trains arrive and depart from Birmingham’s main train station, Birmingham New Street, taking you straight into the heart of the city centre.

The station is just a short walk from major attractions such as the Bullring shopping centre.

Which train services run direct to Birmingham?

From the north, we operate one direct train an hour from Liverpool Lime Street station . Our fastest train takes just 1 hour 43 minutes, and the cheapest advance ticket is a purse-and-wallet-friendly £11.50 one-way.

From the south, we operate three direct trains an hour from London Euston with key calling points at Watford Junction, Milton Keynes Central, Northampton, Rugby, Coventry and Birmingham International. Our fastest train gets you to Birmingham in 1 hour 53 minutes, and the cheapest advance single ticket costs a mere £8.00.

When is the best time to travel to Birmingham by train?

Travel off-peak to enjoy a smoother journey on our less crowded train services.

If you know when you want to travel, be sure to book an advance ticket to take advantage of our cheapest fares.