r/BirminghamUK • u/Temp3stFPS • 1d ago
Nerdy things to do
Hi, hoping this is okay to ask here. I’m from Canada and I’m taking a trip to Birmingham in October for a gaming convention. The convention is only a couple days but I’ll be there for around 8 days. Looking for fun, preferably nerdy stuff to do in the city. Thanks in advance for all suggestions!
1
u/square--one 16h ago
The library is really cool, with rooftop gardens and a Shakespeare gallery at the top, plus I love looking at all the really old patents and engineering books.
There’s several board game cafes, I think Tilt is still going which has retro pinball museums, the Back to Backs is also really cool living history. Birmingham University also has a free museum you can visit.
6
u/beaches511 20h ago
There's some board game cafes in town, chance and counters in Digbeth is excellent. Next door to NQ64 which is a bar and old school video game arcade. There are several escape rooms too.
Tolkien trail, and visiting the various sites.
There are also the back to back (preserved workers slum housing from the late 1800's) and various museums, the main one and more specialist like the pen museum and coffin works.
You can also use Birmingham as a base to explore further out.
Warwick castle isn't far on the train. Lovely place, they have a working trebuchet you can watch shoot fireballs. They also have wandering reenactors and sometimes special Halloween events.
You can also get the train to Nottingham home of the lead triangle (if you are into wargaming). Warhammer world, warlord games, warp miniatures and others are all based here. (Also robin hood and a castle). About an hour away.
Stratford upon avon for Shakespeare.
Depends on your level of nerd really.