13 indoor things you’ll actually want to do when it’s raining in Birmingham (again)

Birmingham and rain go hand in hand – and if you’ve lived here for a while you’ll know that no umbrella is truly windproof, and a day outside when it’s miserable isn’t always worth the risk. 

But just because it’s chucking it down, it doesn’t mean your plans have to be ruined. From hands-on workshops to hidden gems and at-home massages, here’s a list of things to do when the weather forces you indoors.

How to turn a rainy day in Brum into a good one:

1. Check out an exhibition at Ikon Gallery

Along Brindleyplace you’ll find Ikon Gallery – Birmingham’s answer to a rainy-day cultural fix. This contemporary art gallery is free to visit and has an ever-changing line-up of exhibitions, so there’s always something new to see. One month, it might be an immersive installation, the next, a collection of surreal paintings.

The space itself is worth a visit, too – set in a beautiful Victorian school building, it’s got a peaceful, open feel that makes wandering through the galleries a calming experience. After you've had your art fix, head downstairs to Yorks Café for a hot drink and a bit of lunch – they have everything from a full English to premium-filling sandwiches and light salads.

2. Embrace staying in with an at-home massage

The best way to deal with miserable weather? Book a massage that comes to you. With Urban (us!), you don’t need to leave the house to enjoy a professional massage. Simply book using the app and a qualified pro will turn up at your door with everything they need – including the massage table.

Choose from treatments like deep tissue, sports or relaxing, depending on what you need. You might even make it a regular self-care ritual, made even cosier with the sound of rain as the backdrop.

​​3. Watch a film at Everyman

If a cinema trip is your kind of treat, then a day of rain is your perfect excuse. But make the most of it and go all out at Everyman cinema, where everything’s a little bit extra. 

From comfy sofas to ordering the likes of burgers, pizza and cocktails straight to your seat, it takes cinema to a new level. The film selection is great too, offering a mix of new releases, indie films, and cult classics, there’s always something to see for the extra price tag.

4. Make your own silver jewellery at Salt Way Silver

If you like the idea of leaving a rainy day with something unique to show for it, book a jewellery-making workshop at Salt Way Silver. Located just outside Birmingham (about 40 minutes), this small independent studio runs classes where you can design, cut, shape, and polish your own silver ring, bracelet, or pendant from scratch.

Workshops are small, relaxed and completely beginner-friendly, so you get plenty of guidance – perfect even if you’ve never tried anything like this before. You’ll leave with a handmade piece of jewellery and a new appreciation for just how much skill goes into making silver look that shiny.

5. Test your problem-solving skills at an escape room

If getting out of the rain is your goal, being locked in a room for an hour with the aim of escaping is a unique distraction. Never done an escape room before? It’s an indoor activity that needs a lot of brain power – from cracking codes to piecing together clues, teamwork is key if you want to escape.

Escape Live and Escape Hunt in Birmingham both have a mix of challenges, from murder mystery storylines to Sherlock Holmes-style detective games. If you’re looking to do more with your afternoon than sitting in a cafe waiting for the rain to stop, then this is a great alternative.

6. Get your hands dirty in a pottery class

Another way to have something to show for your rainy day is by joining a pottery class. Sundragon Pottery in Bournville is very well-reviewed, hailed for its sense of community and a stress-free place to explore a new hobby.

They run workshops, courses and taster sessions for all skill levels, so you can learn how to shape, sculpt, and decorate your own ceramics, whether that’s a mug, a bowl, or something totally unique.

Even if you’ve never worked with clay before, the instructors make it easy to follow, and you’ll get to keep whatever you make (wobbly edges and all).

7. Have a board games night at Chance & Counters

If you’re looking for something sociable but don’t want to get soaked on a night out, Chance & Counters is a fun alternative. The board game café has over 400 games to choose from, ranging from family classics like Monopoly (with a Birmingham-themed version), to funny party games like What Do You Meme and strategy games.

Paired with their food and drink menu of loaded fries, craft beers, burgers and more makes it easy to spend an entire evening there.

8. Treat yourself to a Lush spa treatment

If the rain’s making you want to cosy up and relax, a spa trip is the perfect answer. Now you might have walked past Lush on New Street a hundred times, but did you know there’s a hidden spa at the back of the store?

What makes it a must-try is the unusual treatments – they’re not your average massages. The Hard Days Night massage is a stretching treatment inspired by The Beatles, performed on you in your pyjamas to a soundtrack of reworked classics from the band. The Good hour is a muscle massage paired with sea shanties to make you feel like you’re floating on a boat.

There’s lots more to choose from, and each is designed to engage all your senses. Think warm oil combined with soothing music, steaming herbal compresses, and lush-strength scents.

9. Go shopping at Selfridges

Retail therapy and rainy days were made for eachother – it’s the perfect excuse. We love shopping around Selfridges in Birmingham, with its mix of high-end fashion, on-trend beauty products, quirky homeware, and our favourite – the food hall.

Even if you don’t have the budget to splurge, it’s good fun wandering round the independent food stalls to luxury chocolates and fresh sushi. Plus, if you time your visit right, Selfridges often hosts pop-up events and beauty masterclasses—so keep an eye out for those.

10. Visit Cadbury World

Just a short drive (or train ride) from the city centre, Cadbury World is a must-visit for anyone with a sweet tooth – and a rainy day is a great excuse.

The self-guided tour takes you through the history of Cadbury, from its beginnings as a small shop to becoming one of the biggest chocolate brands in the world. Along the way you can watch chocolatiers at work with live demonstrations of how chocolates are made, and even have a go at tempering your own.

You’ll also be able to taste freshly made chocolate – the kind you won’t find packaged up in a shop. Most visitors spend around three to four hours there, so it’s worth the trip if the forecast doesn’t look promising.

11. Cosy up with a book at the Library of Birmingham

Standing tall in Centenary Square, the outside of Library of Birmingham makes it one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks. Across its ten floors, you’ll find everything from modern reading spaces to a rooftop garden, making it a great spot to explore whether you’re a book lover or not. 

The Book Rotunda is our favourite part about it – a floor to ceiling, book-lined space at the heart of the library. It’s so stunning that it’s regularly used for venue hire, and is worth a visit on its own.

The library also has a Shakespeare memorial room on the 9th floor, and a secret rooftop garden on the 7th. Even on a rainy day, the views over Birmingham are impressive, and on a clear one, you can see all the way to the Clent Hills.

The library is free to visit and open seven days a week – it’d be our go-to if we found ourselves with a few hours to kill while it was raining.

12. Play crazy golf at Golf Fang

A bit of rain doesn’t have to ruin date night — Golf Fang in Digbeth has you covered (literally). It’s an indoor crazy golf course that isn't your typical windmills-and-water-hazards setup. Instead, think graffiti-covered walls, neon lights, and a real party atmosphere.

The course has 18 completely unique holes, each with its own unexpected twist. From putting through a life-sized living room to rapping in front of a giant microphone, it’s definitely an activity for the books.

There’s also an onsite bar serving cocktails, making it a great place whether you’re on a date, out with mates, or just looking for something a little different.