Digbeth, Public Art & Peaky Film

Digbeth is where Birmingham gets interesting fast. This walk moves from the Bullring into old industrial streets covered in murals, then on to the Custard Factory, a former food-production site now filled with creative energy. Along the way, local author Jonathan Berg connects Birmingham’s past with its present public-art scene and the filming of the Peaky Blinders feature film.

I like two things in particular: the route shows you parts of Digbeth you might not find on your own, and the live audio receiver lets you hear Jonathan even if the group spreads out. The main drawback is pace. Two hours and 15 minutes covers a lot of ground, so this is not a slow stroll with long stops at every artwork.

Key points to know before you book

• Digbeth’s street art is the main event: Expect large murals, smaller pieces, and art tucked into unexpected corners.
• Jonathan Berg leads the walk: His local knowledge, humor, and interest in Birmingham’s artists shape the experience.
• The route begins and ends near the Bullring: That makes it easy to fit into a day of city sightseeing.
• The audio system is genuinely useful: Bring wired earphones with a 3.5 mm jack, or pay £1 for a pair supplied on the day.
• The tour links old and new Birmingham: You hear about the city’s beginnings, Victorian public art, modern creativity, and Peaky Blinders filming.
• Allow for a brisk walk: The route is suitable for people with moderate physical fitness and can include busy streets and uneven urban surfaces.

Starting beside the Bullring’s famous bull

The meeting point is by the Bull statue near the Bullring Shopping Centre, with the walk scheduled to begin at 10:30 am. This is a practical start. The Bullring is one of Birmingham’s easiest landmarks to find, and it sits close to public transportation and the city center.

The opening minutes take in the shopping center walkway and St. Martin in the Bull Ring. These first stops are short, about five minutes each, so do not expect a full church visit or a detailed shopping-center tour. Instead, they set up the contrast that makes the walk work: modern Birmingham beside older buildings and long-running city institutions.

I like this beginning because you get your bearings without wasting time. You are not asked to meet in some obscure side street. You begin at a place most people can locate, then move steadily toward Digbeth.

From the city center into Digbeth

Digbeth is the heart of the experience. The walk spends about an hour in the area, tracing Birmingham’s origins while showing how the district has changed. This is where Jonathan’s commentary matters most. The streets are not presented as a collection of isolated murals. You hear how the old city developed and how Digbeth is being reshaped through art, film, and creative projects.

The appeal is partly visual. Public art appears on walls, buildings, and places you could easily pass without noticing. Some pieces are large and obvious. Others sit in unexpected spots, rewarding anyone who keeps looking up, across, and around corners.

I particularly like the way this makes Birmingham easier to read. After a good guide points out the difference between graffiti and commissioned street art, you begin to notice styles and artists for yourself. You may not remember every name, but you will leave with a better sense of how the artwork fits into the area.

The Peaky Blinders connection adds another layer. Digbeth’s atmospheric streets are linked to filming for the feature film, giving the walk a popular-culture hook without making the whole experience a movie-location tour. If you come mainly for the television series, keep your expectations sensible. The focus remains Birmingham, its public art, and the character of Digbeth.

Public art with room for questions

Jonathan Berg’s role is central. He is a local author, and his work on Birmingham gives him a natural interest in the city’s streets, artists, and past. His style is described as energetic, funny, and open to questions. That matters on a walk like this because public art can be hard to understand from a quick glance.

You are not simply led past walls while someone reads out dates. Jonathan explains what you are looking at and encourages questions. The result should suit curious first-time visitors and local residents who know Birmingham but have never paid close attention to Digbeth’s art.

The tour also benefits from a live audio receiver. You listen through wired earphones while Jonathan speaks into the system. This lets you adjust the volume and keep following the commentary if you fall a little behind while studying a mural. On busy streets, that is a small but valuable feature.

Bring earphones with a 3.5 mm jack if you have them. If not, the operator can supply a pair for £1, with the charge described as a donation to charity. Wireless earbuds may not be suitable, so check what you plan to bring before setting out.

The Custard Factory and Birmingham’s creative side

After the main Digbeth section, the walk reaches the Custard Factory for about 15 minutes. This former home of Bird’s Custard is now associated with independent creative activity and an alternative side of the city.

The stop is short, but it gives the tour a useful change of mood. You move from the broad story of Digbeth and its street walls into a more concentrated creative setting. Graffiti and public art can turn up in surprising places here, so keep your camera ready and your attention moving.

Do not expect a long indoor visit or a food-focused stop. The value is in seeing how an old industrial site has taken on a new purpose. That shift is one of the clearest themes of the walk: Birmingham’s identity is not frozen in its Victorian or industrial past.

Why the audio receiver earns its place

Many walking tours hand you a guide with a flag and ask everyone to stay close. That can work in a quiet square. It is less useful on busy city streets, where traffic, pedestrians, and shopfronts compete with the guide’s voice.

Here, the audio receiver gives you more freedom. You can look closely at a wall, pause for a photograph, or walk at a slightly different pace without losing the explanation. One practical warning: wired earphones can be awkward if you are also carrying a bag or camera, so keep your setup simple.

The audio system does not remove the need to stay with the group. You still need to follow Jonathan’s directions and watch where you are walking. It simply makes the commentary easier to hear, especially when the group is spread along a pavement.

A brisk route with a well-planned shape

The full experience lasts about two hours and 15 minutes. That is long enough to cover several distinct parts of Birmingham but short enough to fit beside other plans. The route usually finishes back at the Bullring, which is convenient for shopping, lunch, onward sightseeing, or transport.

The itinerary has a sensible rhythm:

• A quick start near the Bullring
• A brief look at St. Martin in the Bull Ring
• About an hour in Digbeth
• A short stop at the Custard Factory
• A return toward the Bullring

The strongest section is clearly Digbeth. The opening points help place you in the city, while the Custard Factory rounds out the story. If you want long periods to sit and sketch or photograph each piece, this may feel too quick. If you want a guided introduction with plenty to see, the timing is well judged.

Jonathan has also been described as a speedy walker, so wear comfortable shoes and avoid bringing anything cumbersome. The tour calls for moderate physical fitness. That does not mean a strenuous hike, but you should be comfortable walking continuously through central streets for more than two hours.

The value of the $19.43 price

At $19.43 per person, the tour is priced as an accessible city walk rather than a full-day attraction. There are no separate admission fees at the listed stops, so most of what you pay goes toward the guide, route planning, and audio equipment.

I think the value is strongest if you are new to Birmingham or want a focused introduction to Digbeth. Street art is easy to miss when you explore alone. You may notice a famous mural, but you are less likely to find the smaller works or understand why this part of the city matters.

The price also works well for locals. The tour is not only for people seeing Birmingham for the first time. A person who lives nearby may know the Bullring and city center but still have little idea what is on Digbeth’s walls. The guide provides a reason to look again.

The cost does not include earphones, unless you bring your own. A supplied pair costs £1. That is minor, but it is worth knowing so you are not caught unprepared at the meeting point.

Who will enjoy this Birmingham walk

This tour suits you best if you like one or more of the following:

• Street art and artist styles
• Urban history
• Peaky Blinders filming locations
• Short city walks with a local guide
• Photography and unusual city details
• Learning about a place through its streets rather than a museum

It is also a good choice for visitors who want something different from Birmingham’s main shopping areas. The walk starts in a familiar part of the city, then shifts into a district with a more rough-edged, creative feel.

Families with older children may enjoy the murals and film connection, though the operator does not give a recommended minimum age. Anyone who needs a slower pace should consider that the group may move briskly between stops.

The maximum group size is 35 people. That is not an intimate private walk, but the audio system should help keep the commentary clear. On busy dates, the group may feel lively and less personal, especially if everyone gathers around a popular mural.

Tips for getting more from the route

Arrive at the Bull statue a little early. The meeting point is central, but large shopping areas can make exact meeting spots confusing.

Wear shoes with good support. The walk is not described as strenuous, yet you will be on your feet for over two hours and covering a fair amount of ground.

Bring wired earphones with a 3.5 mm connection. This is the simplest way to avoid the extra £1 charge and ensures you are ready for the audio receiver.

Keep your camera handy, but do not let photography make you miss the commentary. The route includes murals and public art that may be difficult to locate again without a guide.

Ask questions. Jonathan’s format allows time for them, and the walk becomes more useful when you connect the general story of Birmingham to the particular artwork in front of you.

If you are especially interested in Birmingham’s public art, you may want to continue reading after the tour. Jonathan has written about the subject, and his forthcoming book Birmingham: A Drone’s Eye View is also associated with his work on the city.

Practical details and cancellation

The tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Confirmation is provided at booking. Service animals are allowed, and the start point is near public transportation.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 10:30 am start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.

The walk normally ends at the Bullring Shopping Centre, though the exact finish can depend on the route and conditions. Plan your onward schedule with a little flexibility rather than booking something that begins immediately afterward.

Should you book Digbeth, Public Art & Peaky Film?

Book it if you want to see a side of Birmingham that is easy to overlook. The combination of street art, local history, and film locations gives the walk a clear identity, and Jonathan Berg’s local focus adds substance beyond a simple mural hunt.

I would be more cautious if you want a slow, highly detailed architecture tour or a dedicated Peaky Blinders pilgrimage. This experience covers several themes, and its pace is brisk. But at $19.43, it offers a practical introduction to Digbeth, especially for first-time visitors and curious locals. Bring wired earphones, wear comfortable shoes, and expect to leave seeing Birmingham’s walls in a different way.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts by the Bull statue near the Bullring Shopping Centre in Birmingham, England.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 10:30 am.

How long does the experience last?

The walk lasts approximately two hours and 15 minutes.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Do I need to bring earphones?

Yes. You should bring earphones with a 3.5 mm jack for the live audio receiver. Earphones can also be supplied for £1.

Where does the tour finish?

The walk usually finishes back at the Bullring Shopping Centre.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded.