Digbeth, Public art and Peaky Film Guided Walking Tour

Digbeth is where Birmingham’s past and next chapter meet. This two-hour walk starts at the bronze Bull in the city centre, then heads toward old Digbeth and Deritend, where industrial buildings, bold street art, creative venues, and Peaky Blinders film activity share the same streets. Jonathan Berg, an author and photographer who runs Positively Birmingham, leads the tour.

I like the way the walk connects Birmingham’s rise from a small market hamlet with the city’s present-day art scene. I also like the mix of public art and film history, especially the chance to see Peaky Blinders murals at Digbeth LOC studios. The main drawback is practical: the route covers just over 4 km on pavements, footpaths, and towpaths, so it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Key points to know before booking

• Start at Birmingham’s bronze Bull: Meet beside the Nike Superstore in the Bullring Shopping Centre, an easy central point.
• Walk from the city centre into Digbeth: The route shows how Birmingham changes from shopping district to old industrial quarter.
• See public art with local context: Jonathan Berg brings a specialist eye to Digbeth’s murals and street art.
• Visit Peaky Blinders film territory: Digbeth LOC studios are connected with the feature film production and have striking Peaky murals.
• Cover just over 4 km in two hours: Expect a steady walking tour rather than a short stroll between fixed sights.
• Pay $20 for a small slice of Birmingham: The price is fair if you want stories, orientation, and a part of the city you might skip alone.

From the Bullring to Birmingham’s beginnings

The tour opens at the bronze Bull statue, beside the Nike Superstore in the Bullring Shopping Centre. That meeting point is simple to find, even if you do not know Birmingham well. It also gives the walk a useful starting contrast: you begin among modern shops and city-centre foot traffic, then move toward the older Digbeth and Deritend area.

This change in setting is one of the tour’s main strengths. You are not simply taken to a collection of murals. You are shown how Birmingham grew from a market hamlet into a major city, with Digbeth and Deritend playing a part in that story. The walk gives you a sense of how close the old quarter is to the centre, both in distance and in character.

Jonathan Berg leads the experience in English. His work as an author and photographer, along with his focus on Birmingham’s public art, gives the tour a clear point of view. He is not just using street art as decoration. He explains the artists and the city setting around it, helping you look more carefully at work you might otherwise pass without noticing.

The pace should suit anyone who likes to stop for explanation and photographs, though the route is still long enough to require comfortable shoes. The total distance is just over 4 km, and the walk uses a mixture of pavements, footpaths, and towpaths.

Digbeth and Deritend, Birmingham’s rough-edged creative quarter

Digbeth has a different feel from the Bullring. Its streets reflect older industry and working life, while newer studios, markets, and creative projects have moved into the area. That mixture is what gives the walk its appeal. You are not being shown a polished historic district where every building has been tidied for visitors.

Instead, the tour takes you through an area in transition. The coming of HS2 and the Metro tram is part of that change, with Digbeth becoming more closely tied to Birmingham city centre. Development can bring better connections and new activity, but it can also alter the independent, rough-edged character that makes the area interesting now.

That tension is worth keeping in mind. If you expect a grand architectural tour, this may not be your best choice. If you want to understand a Birmingham district as it changes, the walk offers more to think about.

The route’s use of towpaths and footpaths adds variety. You are not confined to busy city streets for the whole two hours. At the same time, these surfaces can be uneven or less convenient than a standard pavement, which explains the warning for people with mobility impairments.

Public art with more than a photo stop

Public art is the heart of this experience. Digbeth is known for its street art, and Jonathan Berg has written and photographed Birmingham’s public art, with particular attention to this area. His background matters because large murals are easy to photograph but harder to understand.

A good guide can point out how art fits its setting, why certain walls matter, and how the work contributes to Digbeth’s identity. That is the difference between walking past a painted building and taking away a better sense of the district.

You should bring a camera or phone if you enjoy taking pictures. The tour includes several visual subjects, and the Peaky murals at the studios provide a clear selfie opportunity. Still, I would not treat the walk as a simple street-art photo tour. The city’s development and the relationship between old buildings, new creative uses, and public art are just as important.

The public-art focus also makes this a useful second tour of Birmingham. If you have already taken a more conventional city-centre walk, this route gives you a different view. One visitor who combined both Positively Birmingham walks found that together they gave a good overview of the city. That is sensible advice: the two experiences appear to complement each other rather than repeat the same ground.

Peaky Blinders film connections at Digbeth LOC studios

The Peaky Blinders element gives the walk extra appeal, especially if you are interested in the television series and its feature film. Production is underway at Digbeth LOC studios, and the studios have Peaky-themed murals designed for photographs.

It is important to set your expectations correctly. This is not presented as an indoor studio tour, and film production access is not promised. You are visiting the Digbeth area and possible locations connected with the feature film, including the exterior setting around the studios.

That distinction makes the experience better for some people and less suitable for others. If you want costumes, sets, or behind-the-scenes production stories, you should choose a dedicated film attraction instead. If you like seeing how a real city becomes a screen setting, this walk gives you that connection while also covering art and local history.

The studios are part of the wider Digbeth story. Film work, public art, new transport links, markets, and former industrial spaces all point to a district gaining a larger role in Birmingham’s city centre. The Peaky Blinders material is therefore not an isolated add-on. It fits the area’s current creative identity.

Custard Factory and Red Brick Market

The Custard Factory is one of the named highlights of the route. Its presence helps show how old commercial and industrial spaces can take on new uses. You should expect the tour to place the site within Digbeth’s wider character rather than treat it as a separate attraction with a long indoor visit.

Red Brick Market adds another side of the area. Together, the Custard Factory and the market show the practical, creative side of Digbeth, where independent activity and new uses sit alongside older urban fabric. These stops help break up the walk and give you places to look around as the guide explains the district.

Do not expect a full shopping session during the two-hour route. The focus remains on walking and interpretation. If you want time to browse in detail, plan to return after the tour or leave room in your day. The tour is most useful as an introduction, helping you decide which parts of Digbeth deserve a slower second look.

How the route feels over two hours

Two hours is enough time to cover a worthwhile section of the city without turning the outing into an all-day commitment. The distance of just over 4 km means you will be walking steadily, with stops for stories, art, photographs, and landmarks.

A headset is supplied so you can hear Jonathan clearly. You can bring your own earphones with a 3.5 mm jack, or the operator will provide a new pair. This is a practical detail, especially in an urban area where traffic, voices, and other street sounds could make a guide difficult to follow.

The route uses pavements, footpaths, and towpaths. Wear shoes suited to a full city walk, and think carefully about your own comfort on mixed surfaces. The experience is specifically listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments, so check the route requirements before booking.

The tour is conducted in English, with a live guide rather than an audio recording. That allows you to ask questions and follow the guide’s attention as you move through the area. It also means the experience depends on the guide’s delivery. In this case, the feedback points repeatedly to an enthusiastic, helpful, and well-informed guide, with praise for the fun and informative style.

Is $20 a fair price?

At $20 per person, this tour sits at a reasonable price for a two-hour guided walk. You are paying for more than access to Digbeth, which you can visit independently. The value comes from having the route shaped for you and the area explained by someone with a strong connection to Birmingham’s public art.

The price works best if you want context. You could walk from the Bullring to Digbeth on your own, photograph murals, and visit the Custard Factory or Red Brick Market. What you would likely miss is the link between Birmingham’s early growth, Digbeth’s industrial past, its current creative uses, and its Peaky Blinders film connection.

For a first visit, that guidance can save time and give the district more meaning. For someone who already knows Digbeth well, the value depends on how much you want detailed commentary on public art and local change.

The flexibility also helps. You can reserve now and pay later, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund. Check the available starting time when booking, since the tour lasts two hours and the exact departure time can vary.

Who will enjoy this walk most?

I would recommend it to you if you like city walks that mix history with present-day culture. It suits visitors who want to move beyond Birmingham’s main shopping streets and see a district that is changing fast.

It is also a good pick for Peaky Blinders fans who want to connect the series and feature film with a real Birmingham setting. The film element is one part of the walk, not the whole experience, so you should be happy to spend plenty of time on public art and local history too.

Photography fans should enjoy the murals and industrial surroundings. The walk also suits repeat visitors who have already seen the central landmarks and want a less typical route.

I would hesitate if you want a relaxed, short stroll, a fully indoor experience, or guaranteed access to film sets. The route is long enough to require stamina, and the mobility warning should be taken seriously.

A practical plan for your day

Meet at the bronze Bull statue by the Nike Superstore in the Bullring Shopping Centre. Arrive with enough time to find the statue, since the Bullring is large and can be busy around the main shopping areas.

Use the walk to get your bearings rather than trying to fit in a long meal or shopping stop. Afterward, you can return to places such as the Custard Factory or Red Brick Market if you want more time there. The tour provides an introduction, while a separate visit lets you explore at your own speed.

Bring earphones with a 3.5 mm jack if you have them. Otherwise, a new pair will be supplied. Comfortable footwear is the key packing tip, since the route is just over 4 km and includes more than ordinary city pavement.

Should you book the Digbeth public art and Peaky film walk?

Book this tour if you want Birmingham explained through one of its most changing districts. The strongest reasons are Jonathan Berg’s local focus, the public-art commentary, and the way the route links the Bullring with Digbeth’s markets, creative spaces, film activity, and older urban story.

Skip it if you need step-free, low-distance sightseeing or want a dedicated Peaky Blinders studio visit. For everyone else, $20 is a fair outlay for a focused two-hour introduction to a part of Birmingham that many first-time visitors miss.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at the bronze Bull statue by the Nike Superstore in Birmingham’s Bullring Shopping Centre.

How long is the walking tour?

The tour lasts two hours and covers a route of just over 4 km.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live guided tour is conducted in English.

Will I visit a Peaky Blinders film studio?

The route includes Digbeth LOC studios, where feature film production is underway and Peaky Blinders murals provide a photo opportunity. Studio access is not specified.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The experience is listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments. The route uses pavements, footpaths, and towpaths.

What happens if I cannot hear the guide?

A headset is provided. You may bring earphones with a 3.5 mm jack, or the operator will supply a new pair.