Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum — a science temple built to celebrate the millennium in 2001, housed in the Millennium Point building in Birmingham's Eastside district. Four floors and over 200 interactive exhibits take you from the Industrial Revolution to the frontiers of space. Here you'll find the world's oldest working steam engine — the Smethwick Engine, built by Boulton & Watt in 1779, whose massive flywheel completes a full cycle every 8 minutes, as if you can still hear the pulse of the Industrial Revolution. The 4K digital planetarium features the UK's most advanced dome projection system, from the Big Bang to black holes — a 45-minute journey through the stars that leaves the whole family breathless. The outdoor Science Garden turns physics laws into touchable games with over 30 large interactive installations, while MiniBrum is a miniature Birmingham for children under 8 — complete with post office, construction site and café. A one-day in-depth tour includes the permanent exhibitions, planetarium and Science Garden.
From the roar of steam engines to the starry sky of the planetarium, from physics games in the Science Garden to the children's city of MiniBrum — step into Millennium Point and feel Birmingham's technological soul from the Industrial Revolution to space exploration
Start your morning with a 10-minute walk from Birmingham Moor Street Station to Millennium Point — this millennial landmark building completed in 2001 is itself an engineering marvel, with special acrylic panels forming a "light cube" effect on its facade, changing colours day and night. Enter Thinktank and head straight to the Power Up gallery on the ground floor. The 1779 Smethwick Engine — built by Boulton & Watt for the Birmingham Canal Company — is the world's oldest working steam engine. Its 24-foot diameter flywheel completes a cycle every 8 minutes, and the moment the bucket fills and crashes down is truly thrilling. Then go up to the fourth-floor Futures Gallery and book a show at the 4K Planetarium — a 10-metre dome, 70 seats, multiple projectors creating an immersive cosmic journey from the Big Bang to black holes. In the afternoon, wander through the outdoor Science Garden, where over 30 large interactive installations turn Newton's third law into a touchable game — giant Newton's Cradle, human-sized hamster wheel, pulley systems — letting children and adults alike "play" their way through physics. Finally, let little ones explore MiniBrum on the third floor, a 1:1 scale miniature Birmingham where they can be architects, postmen and baristas for a day. The Signal Box Café on the ground floor offers hot meals and light bites — the perfect rest stop during your visit.
A bright café on Thinktank's ground floor with a "signal box" theme, serving hot meals, sandwiches, cakes and drinks with good children's options. Average £6-£12 per person — the ideal rest stop during your visit.
A 17,500 sq ft giant food hall opened in early 2026, just a 5-minute walk from Thinktank. 15 independent kitchens offer Jamaican curried goat, Greek Gyros, Malaysian char kway teow, Korean fried chicken, Italian pizza and more global flavours. Communal tables and outdoor courtyard perfect for family dining, average £10-£20 per person.
One of Birmingham's most famous handmade burger joints, started as a street food stall at Digbeth Dining Club. Their signature cheeseburger with smoked bacon and caramelised onions is addictive, paired with local craft beer. Average £12-£18 per person, a 10-minute walk from Thinktank.
A low-key fine dining restaurant hidden in Digbeth's industrial quarter. Named by gram weight, the menu changes seasonally, showcasing Birmingham-local ingredients and creative plating — the "Brummie Welcome" amuse-bouche and Custard Factory Tart dessert are clever tributes to the city. Average £40-£60 per person, advance booking required.