Birmingham and Manchester form the battle of the which is the “Second City” to London. Both cities have a great history of thriving during the Industrial Revolution and have now added more contemporary architecture throughout them. This is the ultimate guide to help you decide between Birmingham and Manchester.
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Birmingham or Manchester Overview
Birmingham
With a population of 1.1 million and a much larger metro area, Birmingham is the second-largest city in the United Kingdom. Birmingham and Manchester often argue for the title of the “second city” in the United Kingdom. Birmingham was another city in the United Kingdom that flourished during the Industrial Revolution.
In recent years, Birmingham has undergone massive renovations, giving the city more of a modern feeling. Most of the architecture here was built during the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries but there are quite a few modern buildings that have become icons for the city. Birmingham is home to 571 parks which is the parks for any city in Europe.
Manchester
Manchester is a city of over 550,000 people with a much larger metro area. During the Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries, Manchester boomed as a hub for manufacturing which resulted in the city becoming known as the world’s first industrialized city. Because of the city’s massive wealth from the industrial revolution, Manchester has many grand buildings from the 19th century. (They also wanted to be better than London)
During the last few decades, Manchester has transformed from an industry-prioritized city into a place of modern tastes because of its youthful and progressive residents. Manchester is also known for its music scene, museums, galleries, and its lively nightlife. It is also home to two of the most famous football clubs in the world, Manchester United and Manchester City.
Things to See
Birmingham
Victoria Square is the main public square in Birmingham.
St. Philip’s Cathedral is a famous Baroque cathedral.
The Bull Ring is the busiest shopping center in the United Kingdom.
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is one of the most famous museums in the UK.
The Library or Birmingham is the 10th most popular tourist attraction in the UK.
Manchester
Manchester Town Hall is a building of Victorian, Neo-gothic architecture where the city council meets.
Piccadilly Gardens is one of the main public areas in Manchester.
The Quays is an area around the old dockyards that was modernized for residential and leisure uses.
The Manchester Cathedral is an impressive church in the heart of Manchester.
The Imperial War Museum is a museum devoted to telling about modern wars and acts of violence.
Food
Birmingham
The exact origins of Birmingham Balti are unknown, but many locals believe this particular dish was created by immigrants from Baltistan. This hearty curry originated during the 1970s, and nowadays, “balti houses” are extremely common in Birmingham.
While curry certainly didn’t originate in England, Birmingham Balti is unique in that it is both cooked and served in a steel bowl. The famous Balti Triangle, located along Ladypool Road, Stratford Road, and Stoney Lane, is home to some of the best balti in the city.
Manchester
One of Manchester’s most famous dishes is Lancashire hotpot, a delicious dinner entre that brings home the hearty flavors of England. This dish originated during the Industrial Era when families didn’t have time to cook dinners that were especially involved. Lancashire hotpot was a simple way to cook a hot meal that didn’t require a whole lot of time or dedication.
Lamb or mutton is cooked with onion and broth, then topped off with thinly sliced potatoes. The pot is then cooked on low for a long time until the potato topping becomes nice and crispy. Fish and Chips are, of course, also popular in Manchester.
Getting Around
Birmingham
Many of the city’s main attractions are within walking distance from each other so your best bet for exploring the city is on foot, at least to begin with. If you want to save some time, you should definitely utilize public transportation which consists of a network of buses, trains, and the metro. Public transportation uses a Pay-as-you-go card which makes using the network very easy.
Manchester
The areas around the city center and The Quays are excellent places to explore on foot. In order to get from the center of the city to The Quays, you will want to take some form of public transportation, unless you want to spend a large part of your day walking there.
Public transportation in Manchester consists of buses, trams, and trains. In recent years, the metro has been extended so don’t be afraid to utilize it when you’re here. The Metrolink 24 hour pass is an excellent deal to invest in. Taxis, Karhoo, and Uber are also very viable options for getting around the city. You also might want to consider renting a bike and riding along the city’s waterways.
Nightlife
Birmingham
Birmingham has a great nightlife scene. Broad Street is lined with places to go for a night out and would be a great place to go bar hopping. Broad Street also has nightclubs so it will definitely be your best bet for nightlife in Birmingham. Though not on Broad Street, Amusement 13 Club and Tunnel Club are fun places to go for a night out. Lab 11 is another great place to try if you are trying to go clubbing during your time in Birmingham.
Manchester
Manchester has an excellent nightlife scene, almost to the caliber of the nightlife found in London. The city center is where you can find the highest concentration of bars and pubs. The area around the intersection of High Street and Thomas Street is one of the best parts of the city to explore for a great night out.
There are some incredible incredible nightclubs in Manchester but if you want to find a club that will stay open until the sun rises, you aren’t going to find it. (The White Hotel stays open the latest) Just like any city, be sure to do a little research if you plan on going clubbing.
Day Trips
Birmingham
Ironbridge Gorge is a beautiful area to the northwest of Birmingham.
Warwick Castle dates back to 1068 and is located to the southwest of Birmingham.
Stratford-upon-Avon is the birthplace of William Shakespeare.
Manchester
Liverpool is less than an hour away from Manchester. It would be perfect if you are a fan of the Beetles.
Leeds is less than an hour by train to Manchester.
Yorkshire Dales National Park is one of the most scenic places in the United Kingdom.
If you have a few extra days to fill, you might want to consider visiting cities like Leeds or London as well.
Overall
Birmingham and Manchester are arguably the two most famous cities in England, behind London. If you have to pick between Birmingham and Manchester, I would recommend visiting Manchester. Manchester has more sights to see and has an incredible history. If you just want a base for day trips and you are not interested in visiting Leeds or Liverpool, you might want to consider Birmingham. Both cities are great but Manchester takes the cake here.
