Let’s be honest, Birmingham isn’t exactly Paris when it comes to romance. But it doesn’t need to be crowned the city of love to have its fair share of romantic spots for a cheeky kiss. There are plenty of picturesque parks and secluded spots with enviable views of the city to enjoy.
But if the butterflies in your stomach have left you unable to think straight – let us be your guide for where take your date a romantic stroll, and finally seal the deal. Check out these romantic spots in Birmingham, that could be pretty perfect to kiss at, whether it’s on Valentine’s Day or not. Warning you may feel a tad queasy from all the soppiness.
1. Gas Street Basin
Birmingham might not be Paris, but it can certainly rival Venice. With more mile of canals than the Italian city to explore, it’s a n often quiet and secluded place. Plus, there’s just something about being by the water that can be romantic. Gas Street Basin as the sun sets is divine. You can definitely see why it was the perfect setting for a little romancing back in the day for all those that came to visit Birmingham via canal boats.
2. Lickey Hills
Head to the hills for that intimate moment with a special someone. If you’re looking to impress head to Lickey Hills in Worcestershire for panoramic views of the countryside to plant that first, or 1000 and something, kiss at. Plus, if you’re feeling a tad nervous about all the eye contact, at least you have an excuse to look at something else and can take in those epic views of the surrounding area and beyond.
3. Brindleyplace
Not only is Brindleyplace a perfect date night location with its numerous options of bars and restaurants but during the daytime it can be rather romantic. The area is home to the Ikon Gallery, situated in Oozells Square which simply oozes romance. The square, particularly in spring, is gorgeous as it is decorated with cherry blossom trees and it will be hard to resist a kiss with beautiful blossom floating over your heads. Plus, the little turret on the Ikon Gallery building makes it almost feel as though you’re in a fairy tale.
4. Birmingham Botanical Gardens
These botanical gardens in Edgbaston offer plenty of places to roam with your date or loved one on foot. You can watch the wildlife in the tropical areas of the glasshouses or chill together in the outdoor gardens surrounded by gorgeous flowers, either way these botanical gardens are rather dreamy. Plus, there is a beautiful Grade II-listed bandstand within the gardens, which is set to be renovated, which provides the perfect kissing opportunity.
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5. Cannon Hill Park
Nothing says romantic quite like a picnic in the park and Birmingham and the surrounding areas have plenty of picnic-perfect spots for you to visit, especially during the spring and summer months. Cannon Hill Park is probably one of the most beautiful and bright green spaces in Birmingham. It makes the romantic spots list as it provides plenty of escapism with your loved one away from the hustle and bustle of city life, due to its numerous activities (both indoor and outdoor) such as the cultural venue the MAC, the Japanese garden, the land train and the boating lake.
6. Tolkien Trail
Fans of Middle Earth will know a lot about this area. J.R.R Tolkien’s early life spent in Birmingham was a huge influence on his novels, particularly the quaint and picturesque elements present in Hobbiton. From the woods of Moseley Bog to the 29-metre tall tower Perrott’s Folly, these areas on the Tolkien trail have gorgeous tree-lined walks and wildlife which make it so romantic.
It can as though you’ve fallen into a world of fiction by touring some of the locations that inspired local author J.R.R Tolkien’s novels. His work might not appear like love stories on the surface. But anyone who has read Beren and Lúthien, or paid close attention to the relationship between Aragorn and Arwen, will know who romantic he can be.
7. Library of Birmingham
Libraries can be rather boring, and rather traumatic (flashbacks of last-minute essay writing may occur). However, rather than risk getting trapped in the windy book shelves and getting to know the Dewey Decimal System rather well, head up to the top of the Birmingham library to their open air roof terrace. The thought of taking a book out the library never sounded so good until now.
8. Jewellery Quarter
It’s sort of in the name, since jewellery and romance have some connections with one another, so it’s got to be one of the top romantic spots in the Birmingham area. There’s the beautiful green space next to St Paul’s Church to wander round hand in hand, where you can also take a break on the benches there for that romantic embrace.
Georgian buildings line this square so you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped back in time when visiting the Jewellery Quarter. No need to go courting or promenading like they did back then, but with all those beautiful houses around St Paul’s Square you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a Jane Austen novel. Plus, as a bonus spot you can head up to the Big Peg building for amazing views of the city from above.