Eight things to do with your elderly parents in Birmingham

Birmingham has an excellent mix of historic attractions, gardens, museums and waterside walks that make it a great city for spending quality time with your parents. Many of its best-known venues now provide wheelchair access, mobility equipment or quieter spaces, making it easier to plan a day out around different mobility needs. If your parents are receiving live-in care in Birmingham and fancy a change of scene, it's worth having a few options ready.

Here are eight ideas for a day out with your parents in Birmingham, plus practical tips on accessibility and planning ahead.

1. Birmingham Back to Backs

The National Trust's Birmingham Back to Backs remains one of the strongest heritage days out in the city. The restored working-class houses tell the story of Birmingham families from the 1840s through to the 1970s, making it especially good for visitors who enjoy history and reminiscence.

Although the houses contain steep, narrow staircases, the National Trust offers dedicated ground-floor accessible tours lasting around an hour. A wheelchair is available from reception, there is level access into the courtyard, accessible toilet facilities and seating in many rooms.

See accessibility information for Birmingham Back to Backs before you go, or call 0121 622 2442.

2. Winterbourne House and Garden

The Winterbourne House and Garden combines an elegant Edwardian house with seven acres of botanical gardens. It's ideal for a slower afternoon with plenty of places to sit and enjoy the surroundings.

The venue has three Blue Badge parking spaces, a platform lift serving all three floors of the house, step-free garden routes, and accessible toilets. It also has a free wheelchair and mobility scooter hire on a first-come basis. Free carer tickets are also available for carers accompanying visitors with disabilities, which can help make a day out more affordable.

See accessibility information for Winterbourne House and Garden before you go, or call 0121 414 3003.

3. Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

This remains one of Birmingham's best free cultural attractions and has become an even stronger recommendation following its reopening. If your parents enjoy art, local history and browsing at their own pace, then this museum is suited for them.

Accessibility is generally good, although the historic building means visitors should use the Edmund Street Gas Hall entrance if lift access is needed. Free wheelchairs can be borrowed from staff, accessible toilets are available and assistance dogs are welcome. General admission is free, although some exhibitions may charge separately.

See accessibility information for Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery before you go, or call 0121 348 8000.

4. Cadbury World

Cadbury World is still an excellent multigenerational attraction and works particularly well if your parents have fond memories of Birmingham's chocolate heritage. The experience mixes history, demonstrations and interactive exhibits rather than feeling like a children's attraction alone.

Visitors can book dedicated wheelchair slots alongside their timed entry, large-print guides and tour scripts are available. Tactile experiences are offered for visually impaired visitors, while many videos include subtitles and selected areas offer BSL interpretation.

See Cadbury World's access assistance information before you go.

5. National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham

This popular aquarium remains a lovely indoor option for days when the weather isn't ideal. It is home to marine and freshwater displays, including the popular penguin enclosure and the walk-through ocean tunnel.

The centre confirms wheelchair access throughout the attraction, accessible toilets and free admission for one accompanying carer free eligible proof. Small mobility scooters can also be accommodated, although the venue limits the number of wheelchairs inside at one time for safety.

See SEA LIFE Birmingham's accessibility information before you go to check the latest guidance for wheelchair users and visitors with mobility needs.

6. Birmingham Botanical Gardens

The Birmingham Botanical Gardens' Victorian glasshouses, landscaped gardens and peaceful café make it especially suitable for older visitors. It's also a good choice for those who prefer a calm environment rather than a busy city attraction.

The gardens provide good wheelchair access throughout much of the site and glasshouses. It also has six disabled parking bays, accessible toilets, benches across the grounds and free electric mobility scooter and wheelchair hire. Equipment should be pre-booked to guarantee availability, and staff can recommend the easiest accessible route around the gardens.

See Birmingham Botanical Gardens' visitor information before you go, particularly if you need to pre-book a wheelchair or mobility scooter.

7. Sarehole Mill

Sarehole Mill remains a charming choice for parents who enjoy literature, local history or quieter outdoor spaces. The 250-year-old working mill is closely associated with J.R.R. Tolkien and sits beside a peaceful millpond and gardens.

The ground floor, gardens and millpond are accessible, but upper levels involve steep stairs and the historic building cannot accommodate a lift. A free transit wheelchair is available, and there is an accessible toilet and a personal assistant admission policy for eligible visitors. The grounds are free to explore, while entry to the mill is ticketed.

See Sarehole Mill's accessibility information before you go.

8. Edgbaston Reservoir

For families looking for a completely free day out, Edgbaston Reservoir offers a peaceful setting for older visitors who enjoy being outdoors. The Local Nature Reserve offers woodland, birdlife and a circular path around the water, making it suitable for a gentle stroll and a picnic.

The council confirms a 2.8 km path around the reservoir and several pedestrian entrances. If your parents find uneven or steep paths difficult, the route is a good option as it is flat and well maintained. There are also opportunities to stop and rest along the way while enjoying the views and local wildlife.

Did you know?

• Birmingham Back to Backs has sensory bags available from reception, and adult ear defenders are being introduced alongside items such as fidget toys.
• Cadbury World has a written tour script and an infrared system for visitors with compatible hearing aids. BSL interpretation is also provided on screens at relevant points throughout the experience.
• SEA LIFE Birmingham offers a free British Sign Language interpreter through its SignLive partnership, giving visitors another way to access information during their visit.

My dad and his dementia care: Linda's story

When Linda noticed her dad Raymond, a former mechanical engineer, becoming more forgetful and no longer looking after himself properly, the family chose live-in care so he could stay in his own home rather than move into a care home.

"Despite his memory difficulties, he sings old cockney songs like Knee Up Mother Brown to Florence that he sung to my brother and I when we were children," Linda says. "This is the ideal situation for our family, as he is able to carry on as he has always done and maintained his independence, but our family knows someone is there keeping him company and keeping him safe."

Read Linda's full story

What to prepare for a trip to Birmingham

Even if your parents or another loved one has additional needs, such as difficulty walking or memory problems, there are still plenty of fun things to do in Birmingham. If they normally have live-in care in Birmingham or another home care arrangement, it's often worth bringing their regular carer along, since they already know your parent's needs and routine.

Alternatively, a day out could be a good moment for your usual carer to take a short break, with temporary respite care arranged to cover the gap.

If your loved one needs specialist dementia care, it's worth planning with a bit more care: someone living with dementia can become disorientated quickly in a busy, unfamiliar place, so if they usually need 24/7 support at home, arrange cover for the trip too.

Keep the itinerary light so you don't tire your parents out, while leaving plenty to see and enjoy.

Exploring beyond Birmingham?

We’ve put together similar guides for other days out with your parents closer to home:

• Things to do with your older loved ones in The Midlands
• Things to do with your older loved ones in Great Malvern, Worcestershire
• Things to do with your older loved ones in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
• Things to do with your older loved ones in Ashbourne, Derbyshire

If you have a loved one who needs 24/7 support, get in touch with our care advisors to talk through your situation and arrange a free care appraisal. Elder can help you find live-in care in Birmingham and the rest of Great Britain.