{"id":6136,"date":"2025-03-18T10:24:37","date_gmt":"2025-03-18T09:24:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travelodgeblog.wpengine.com\/?p=6136"},"modified":"2025-08-27T16:27:15","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T15:27:15","slug":"10-things-less-10-birmingham","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/destination-guides\/birmingham\/10-things-less-10-birmingham\/","title":{"rendered":"Birmingham on a budget: 10 things to do for \u00a310 or less in Birmingham"},"content":{"rendered":"

A trip to the UK\u2019s second city doesn\u2019t have to cost you the earth. In fact, you can explore the sites that inspired Middle Earth for free! JRR Tolkien\u2019s hometown offers nature in abundance, contemporary art, unplugged live music and much more besides \u2013 all on a shoestring budget.<\/h2>\n
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Jungle Rumble<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n
Tickets from \u00a35<\/h5>\n

\"JungleAn indoor, adventure-filled mini golf experience, Jungle Rumble<\/span><\/a> features two 18-hole courses and a fully stocked bar right in the centre of the city. Perfect for beginners, the Jungle Course invites you to absorb the sounds of the rainforest as you pick up your putters and walk through its volcano cave. The Mayan course is where you can really put your skills to the test. Brave its marshes if you dare, but don\u2019t forget to look out for the crocodiles!<\/h4>\n

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Visit the secret garden at Birmingham Library<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n
Free<\/h5>\n

\"SecretAmid the hustle and bustle of the UK\u2019s second city lies a hidden slice of tranquillity. With a variety of plant species to provide colour throughout the year, the secret garden on the seventh floor of Birmingham Library<\/span><\/a> is an oasis of calm. It\u2019s the perfect place to visit with a good book, and there\u2019s no shortage of them of course. Laid end-to-end, the books within the UK\u2019s largest public library would stretch all the way to Edinburgh. Within this striking architectural gem, you will also find a photography archive, live performances and a programme of year-round events.<\/h4>\n

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Birmingham Wildlife and Conservation Park<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n
\u00a34.20 child, \u00a38.40 adult (off-peak)<\/h5>\n

\"BirminghamYou wouldn\u2019t normally expect to come face-to-face with a wallaby in the centre of the city, but Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park<\/span><\/a> is host to an array of exotic creatures. Based in Cannon Hill Park, you can enjoy a day of rides, games, arts, entertainment and amazing outdoor fun before visiting the animals. Farmyard favourites such as goats, pigs and sheep call this sanctuary in the city home, alongside many species from far-flung lands. Get up close with adorable red pandas, monkeys, tamarins and lemurs, as well as European lynx, otters, antelope, reptiles and more.<\/h4>\n

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Ikon Gallery<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n
Free<\/h5>\n

\"IkonCutting-edge contemporary art can be found within the Grade II listed neo-Gothic walls of a former boarding school. Established in 1964 as an alternative artist-led space, Ikon Gallery<\/span><\/a> has established itself as a European cultural landmark hosting established and emerging artists alike. With a year-round programme of exhibitions, events, workshops and seminars, education is at the heart of this gallery, offering plenty of opportunities to get hands-on. Turner Prize-winner Martin Creed is responsible for the gallery\u2019s famous singing lift. Take a ride in it before visiting the city\u2019s only independent arts bookshop and cafe \u2013 housed within this inspiring space.<\/h4>\n

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National Motorcycle Museum<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n
\u00a345 family ticket (2 adults 3 children)<\/h5>\n

\"NationalWith over 1,000 machines fully restored to the manufacturer’s original specifications, it\u2019s no wonder this is recognised as the finest and largest motorcycle museum in the world<\/span><\/a>. The museum aims to preserve these pieces of history for future generations, as a reminder of our nation\u2019s industry and engineering prowess. This ethos is visible in the impressive examples on display. The 1912 848cc Wilkinson TMC Series V is thought to be one of only six remaining. And the stunning 1932 Brough Superior Austin-Engineered Four is one of only 10 ever made.<\/h4>\n

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Karaoke at Lane 7 Bullring<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n
\u00a37 pp<\/h5>\n

\"Karaoke\"Whether you Wannabe a Spice Girl, Party in the USA with Miley, or you\u2019re Livin\u2019 On A Prayer like Bon Jovi, Lane 7 Bullring<\/span><\/a> can make your popstar dreams come true. There\u2019s not a hint of the trad social club about this place \u2013 a hipster haven of activities like ping pong, bowling and curling within neon-lit, graffiti-clad walls. Karaoke is just \u00a37 per person for a 55-minute session. You get a private room to belt your heart out \u2013 pure, unadulterated musical fun!<\/h4>\n

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The Donkey Sanctuary<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n
Free<\/h5>\n

\"\"One of the largest urban parks in Europe, Sutton Park is a 2,400-acre National Nature Reserve and a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest. Don\u2019t miss the opportunity for a free visit to the Donkey Sanctuary while you\u2019re there. A haven for these gentle creatures to escape from a life of hard toil, this charity cares for over 4,300 animals nationally. Donkeys have been human companions for centuries and won\u2019t be afraid to interact with visitors. You\u2019ll find them enjoying their freedom to roam, grazing in their paddocks, relaxing in a barn, or taking part in enrichment activities.<\/h4>\n

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Live music at The Jam House<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n
Tickets \u00a35-\u00a310<\/h5>\n

\"WomenLocated in the heart of Birmingham\u2019s Jewellery Quarter, it\u2019s musicians who now shine in The Jam House<\/span><\/a>. Established by Jools Holland in 1999, this real music venue offers the perfect opportunity to unplug from the city. Inside a historical Georgian building that looks out onto the picturesque St Paul’s Square, it won\u2019t break the bank to see top-tier talent in this award-winning space. Offering live music and good food over three floors, whether you\u2019re into jazz, blues or rock this is the place to find real musicians having a proper jam.<\/h4>\n

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Birmingham Botanical Gardens<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n
\u00a38.50<\/h5>\n

\"BirminghamSince 1892 Birmingham Botanical Gardens<\/span><\/a> has been the green heart of the city. Some 7,000 plant species are housed across four beautifully preserved Victorian glasshouses. Outdoors there are alpine gardens as well as a Japanese Garden showcasing the National Bonsai Collection. An enchanting pinetum (pine grove) offers the perfect opportunity to get lost in nature, and rolling lawns overlook an authentic bandstand and aviaries. Finish off this peaceful day by letting the kids burn off any leftover energy in the adventure playground before seeking refreshment in the traditional tearooms.<\/h4>\n

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Walk the Tolkien Trail<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n
Free<\/h5>\n

\"TheBirmingham lays claim to the fact it inspired the most popular book of the 20th century \u2013 The Lord of the Rings, as well as the equally famous children\u2019s story The Hobbit. JRR Tolkien lived in nine homes in the south of Birmingham during his formative years and this 10-point trail leads you to some of them. You\u2019ll also take in Sarehole Mill, Moseley Bog and Joy\u2019s Wood \u2013 sites of Tolkien\u2019s childhood adventures. After walking through the Shire Country Park and Cole Valley, you\u2019ll be led to landmarks that played a significant role in the young author\u2019s life.<\/h4>\n

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*all prices correct at the time of writing<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A trip to the UK\u2019s second city doesn\u2019t have to cost you the earth. In fact, you can explore the sites that inspired Middle Earth for free! JRR Tolkien\u2019s hometown offers nature in abundance, contemporary art, unplugged live music and much more besides \u2013 all on a shoestring budget. Jungle Rumble Tickets from \u00a35 An […]","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":38993,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1206,79,1361],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6136","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-birmingham","category-destination-guides","category-things-to-do"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6136","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6136"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6136\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38993"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6136"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6136"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6136"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}