Innovative ‘hands-on’ experiences launched to showcase Birmingham and the West Midlands

Visitors to Birmingham and the West Midlands can now enjoy a new collection of immersive, bookable experiences designed to showcase the region’s rich culture, creativity and heritage.

The new programme, supported by VisitEngland, brings together more than 25 businesses from across the West Midlands to offer authentic, hands-on activities spanning food and drink, craft and design, and heritage and culture.

Delivered by the West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC), with support from Leopold Marketing, the initiative aims to encourage visitors to explore the region in a more meaningful way by connecting them with local makers, artists, food producers and heritage attractions.

The experiences range from guided food tours and artisan craft workshops to immersive dining events and street art experiences, giving visitors the opportunity to engage directly with the people and stories that shape the West Midlands.

Many of the experiences are available to book now, with further launches planned over the coming months. These include a behind-the-scenes tour of Dudley Canal & Caverns, a “Peaky Blinders” themed experience at Black Country Living Museum, Black Heritage Walks through Birmingham and wine tasting experiences at Blabers Hall Wine Estate in Warwickshire.

Together, the activities form a new portfolio of “Signature Experiences“, designed to highlight the region’s diverse visitor offering while supporting local businesses and encouraging longer stays.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Growth Company said: “At a time when both staycations and ‘slow travel’ are gaining in popularity, this project is about showcasing the very best of the West Midlands’ destinations with a curated portfolio of authentic, engaging and bookable products. By working with local businesses and creatives, we’re creating experiences that give visitors a genuinely meaningful connection to the places they’re exploring.”

Leo Lloyd, of Leopold Marketing, added: “What’s exciting is the diversity of what’s coming through – from food tours to heritage craft and immersive dining. These are the kinds of experiences that people travel for, and Birmingham and the West Midlands has them in abundance.”

Among the new experiences is a collaboration between The Tufting Spot and Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, where visitors can explore the city’s internationally significant Pre-Raphaelite collection before creating their own textile artwork inspired by the paintings. The experience also includes access to artworks not currently on public display. Find out more here.

Food lovers can join a guided tour created by Living For The Weekend, visiting six independent venues across Birmingham while learning about the city’s diverse culinary heritage through tastings and storytelling.

Elsewhere, GULP is offering immersive dining experiences that combine food, storytelling and sensory design, while Rosewindow Studios at the Ruskin Glass Centre in Stourbridge is inviting visitors to learn the traditional craft of stained-glass making under the guidance of a master craftswoman.

In Digbeth, visitors can also discover Birmingham’s renowned street art scene through a self-guided tour and practical graffiti workshop led by commercial artist David “Panda” Brown, whose work has featured on Hollywood productions including “Beetlejuice II” and “Ready Player One”.

The full collection of “Signature Experiences” is available to book through Visit Birmingham’s website here.