BIRMINGHAM GIFTS AND EXPERIENCE DAYS FOR COUPLES
Birmingham may not be the first place that springs to mind when you think of a couples’ break, but there’s more to the UK’s second largest city than Spaghetti Junction! This vibrant, diverse metropolis has more than its fair share of romantic settings, from Winterbourne House and the Botanical Gardens to its miles of canals. The shopping is off the hook, from the Bullring, one of the largest shopping centres in the UK, to the historic Jewellery Quarter (perfect for putting a ring on it). Cultural couples will be in heaven with the Birmingham Royal Ballet, the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, and the Hippodrome to name but a few highlights, and food lovers are spoilt for choice. Named Britain's most exciting food destination in the Good Food Guide 2022, Birmingham boasts everything from the best curries this side of Delhi to Michelin starred delights.
Make like a Royal Marine at the Bear Grylls Adventure
Adventure loving couples will be all over this exhilarating experience at Bear Grylls’ unique activity centre. Try to beat Bear’s time (1 minute, 3 seconds!) on the Royal Marine inspired assault course and push your boundaries with an adrenaline pumping indoor skydive in the wind tunnel. The equivalent to three 12,000ft skydives, it replicates the unforgettable sensation of free fall flight perfectly. Treat yourself and your loved one, or give a memorable experience gift to another thrill-seeking couple in your life. It’s one of Birmingham’s most exciting new activities.
Pick up a ‘Birmingham Alphabet’ art print
Whether they’re just paying a visit to Birmingham, or are seasoned locals, this beautiful art print of the Birmingham Alphabet makes the ideal gift. Featuring iconic Birmingham institutions from the Arcades to the Cadbury’s factory, sporting teams including Aston Villa and Birmingham City, and foods from Balti to Bird’s Custard, it’s the perfect memento of Britain’s second city. The dream housewarming gift for a couple moving to Birmingham, retirement present for a couple leaving the city behind, or a wedding gift for a Brummy Mr and Mrs, it’s sure to grace their walls for many years to come.
Enjoy a gin tasting masterclass and a romantic meal
Who doesn’t love a nice cold gin on the rocks? This exciting gin tasting experience for two is the perfect experience for gin lovers. Sample five different gins from a range of exciting distilleries, paired with some delicious nibbles. Your ‘gin guide’ will talk you through the complex flavour profiles of the botanical brews, and the origins and history of your fave tipple. Round off your masterclass by choosing your favourite gin and kicking back with a large serving of the winning beverage, then enjoy a tasty meal from the venue’s set menu. Cheers!
The Great British Bake Off has spawned a nation of baking obsessives and there are plenty of avid bakers in Birmingham. Grab an apron and channel your inner Mary Berry at the Big Birmingham Bake, a light and airy marquee with twelve cooking stations where you can unleash your cooking creativity on everything from chocolate eclairs to character Christmas cakes. You and your partner will have 90 minutes to whisk, sift and pipe your way towards being crowned the baking champions. It’s an amazing way to connect with your loved one (did somebody say wedding cake?), and best of all, you get to eat what you’ve made afterwards!
Indulge your sweet tooth with a chocolate workshop
Nothing says romance like chocolate, and as the home of Cadbury’s, Birmingham knows a thing or two about the sweet stuff. The perfect experience gift for a chocoholic couple or a treat for you and your sweetheart, this 90-minute guided chocolate-making workshop is as educational as it is delicious. Guided by a master chocolatier, you’ll learn all about our favourite sweet treat’s rich history, before making and decorating your very own cream-filled truffles, as well as trying your hand at chocolate making techniques from rolling and cutting to dipping. Hand-wrap your chocs and take them home to enjoy with your loved one at your leisure – yum!
Catch a movie at the UK’s oldest working cinema
There’s a reason why the cinema remains a date night favourite. It doesn’t get much more romantic than bumping fingers in the popcorn box over a rom-com after all. A working cinema since 1909, the Electric has a touch of that old-school movie magic about it, with an Art Deco aesthetic and vintage sweets. Upgrade to sofa seating for a luxe viewing experience for you and your beau, grab a drink from the lovely bar, and settle in for a silver screen experience that’s about as far from a soulless multiplex as it gets.
Spice up your life with an Indian cookery class
The love affair between Birmingham and curry kicked off back in the 1970s, when the Balti dish was created by the local Pakistani/Kashmiri community, bringing a taste of home cooking to the streets of the city. Today, England’s curry capital boasts everything from Bombay street-food joints to swanky Goan restaurants. There’s no better place to learn how to cook a selection of classic curry dishes. This three-hour chef-led cooking class takes you on a journey through the flavours of India, teaching you how to cook a classic Indian meal, sharing family secrets that have been passed down through generations, and guiding you through different cooking techniques. Curry night at your house will never be the same again!
Explore the city’s canals on a romantic narrowboat trip
The epicentre of the UK’s canal network, Birmingham is sometimes known as the ‘Venice of the North,’ and with more miles of canals than its Italian counterpart, it’s no wonder. The city’s waterways offer the ideal escape from busy city life, with green spaces, vibrant waterfront restaurants and bars, and historic buildings galore. Get a unique perspective on the canals and the city’s industrial heritage on a luxury passenger narrowboat. Snuggle up with your loved one and prepare to see everything from iconic Birmingham attractions to quiet stretches of the canal where it’s hard to believe you’re in the city.
Thanks for reading!
This is a small selection of the kind of activities you can enjoy in Birmingham as a couple. If you’re still looking for something to do with your loved on your next break in the UK’s second city, or you want to pick up a special present for another couple in your life, check out our full range of Birmingham experience gifts.
