Things to Do in Birmingham for Less Than £20 (Including a Spine-Chilling City Adventure)
Looking for budget-friendly things to do in Birmingham that don’t feel cheap or boring? Whether you’re planning a day out, a date, or a solo adventure, the city is packed with fascinating experiences you can enjoy for under £20 — including one that will have you uncovering ghosts, ghastly history, and a murder mystery along the way…
Here’s how to have an unforgettable day in Birmingham without breaking the bank.
👻 1. Solve a Crime with the Birmingham Ghastly Guide (£14.99)
Image © Ghastly Guides, All rights reserved
If you want something truly different, swap ordinary sightseeing for a self-guided whodunnit walking tour through the city centre.
The Birmingham Ghastly Guide turns the streets into an interactive mystery filled with:
- Ghost stories
- Gruesome history
- Clues to solve
- Hidden locations most people walk past
You explore at your own pace — no groups, no schedules, no awkward tour guides. Just you, the city, and a chilling story unfolding as you walk.
Perfect for:
- Couples
- Families with older kids
- True crime fans
- Visitors wanting something unique
- Locals who think they’ve seen it all
👉 Under £15 for hours of entertainment — easily the best value experience in the city.
Order your Ghastly Guide of Birmingham here.
🏛️ 2. Visit the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (Free)
Image © Ghastly Guides, All rights reserved
Right in the city centre, this museum is packed with history, art, and fascinating exhibits — and it won’t cost you a penny.
Highlights include:
- Pre-Raphaelite paintings
- Ancient artefacts
- Local Birmingham history
Tip: Pair this with the Ghastly Guide walk and you’ll see the city from both the official and the darker, hidden perspectives.
Find out more about Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery here.
🌿 3. Explore the Birmingham Botanical Gardens (£9 – standard adult entry)
Image by jo-h, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
If you want a calmer break between spooky discoveries, these beautiful gardens offer:
- Victorian glasshouses
- Exotic plants
- Quiet walking paths
It’s an ideal daytime stop before heading back into the city’s darker corners later.
Book your tickets for Birmingham Botanical Gardens here.
🚔 4. Discover Crime History at the West Midlands Police Museum (£10 – standard adult entry)
Image by Andy Mabbett, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Housed in a former Victorian lock-up, this fascinating museum explores the region’s criminal past and policing history.
Inside you’ll find:
- Old prison cells
- True crime stories
- Historic police equipment
- Tales of notorious offenders
It’s the perfect warm-up before stepping into Birmingham’s darker streets with your Ghastly Guide mystery.
Book your tickets for West Midlands Police Museum here.
🏰 5. Step Back in Time at Aston Hall (£10 – standard adult entry)
Image by Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
This stunning 17th-century mansion is one of Birmingham’s most atmospheric historic buildings.
Explore:
- Grand Jacobean rooms
- Civil War history
- Hidden staircases
- Rumours of ghostly sightings
It’s ideal for history lovers — and the perfect daytime contrast to the darker tales you’ll uncover later in the city centre.
Book your tickets for Aston Hall here.
Why the Birmingham Ghastly Guide Is the Best Budget Experience
Most attractions show you the polished version of Birmingham.
This shows you the hidden one.
Instead of just seeing places, you’ll uncover:
- Executions
- Haunted locations
- Forgotten crimes
- Sinister stories tied to real streets
And because it’s self-guided, you can:
✔ Start anytime
✔ Pause for food or drinks
✔ Skip crowds
✔ Explore at your own pace
🎯 The Perfect Under-£20 Birmingham Day Plan
Afternoon: Museum or Botanical Gardens
Early evening: Dinner or drinks
Night: Solve the mystery with the Birmingham Ghastly Guide
Total cost: Easily under £20 — with a far more memorable experience than a typical day out.
Ready to Discover Birmingham’s Dark Side?
If you want a day out that’s affordable, unusual, and genuinely unforgettable, the Birmingham Ghastly Guide is your ticket into the city’s hidden past.
👉 Walk the streets.
👉 Follow the clues.
👉 Solve whodunnit.
Because the most interesting parts of Birmingham are the ones most people never notice.
Ready to see a side of Birmingham you’ve never seen before? Order your Birmingham Ghastly Guide for £14.99 (with Free Tracked 48 Delivery) here.
Check out our post on 5 Ghastly Hidden Gems in Birmingham Most Locals Don’t Know
