Since its debut in 2013, Peaky Blinders has become a cultural phenomenon—shaping not only television drama but also tourism in the West Midlands. The show’s rich depiction of post-First World War Birmingham and its Shelby family criminal empire has made the city and its surroundings an essential destination for fans and history enthusiasts alike. As global fan interest grows, Birmingham’s tourism industry has responded with themed tours, immersive visitor experiences and a reimagined narrative of the city’s industrial heritage.
The Rise of Birmingham’s Screen Tourism
While the series was officially set in Birmingham, much of its filming took place in the West Midlands and north England; however the connection to Birmingham remains strong. Locations such as the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley stand in for many streets and yards depicted in the show, giving visitors a tangible link to the Shelby world. According to regional tourism data, the success of Peaky Blinders helped drive a surge in visitor numbers to the West Midlands, as film- and television-driven travel gained traction.
Must-Visit Locations in Birmingham and the West Midlands
For fans and visitors planning a trip, here are some essential stops:
- Black Country Living Museum, Dudley – This open-air museum recreates the industrial era and featured prominently in several Peaky Blinders scenes. Visitors walk the very yards, canal arms and scrap-metal sites used in the show.
- Digbeth & Deritend, Birmingham City Centre – The gritty streets of Digbeth, near Small Heath where the original Peaky Blinders gang operated, now host street art, themed pubs and guided tours inspired by the show.
- The Back to Backs, Birmingham – These preserved 19th-century working-class homes near the Small Heath area offer a glimpse into the conditions that shaped the original Peaky Blinders era.
Tours, Experiences and Fan-Moments
Walking tours tailored to Peaky Blinders fans have become extremely popular. One example is the “Slogging Gangs” walking tour, which weaves together fiction and fact to show the under-belly of early 20th-century Birmingham. Visitor-experience offerings also include themed escape rooms, pub-crawl events and immersive evenings at the Black Country Living Museum that recreate the atmosphere of the era.
Impact on Local Economy and Tourism
The influence of Peaky Blinders on tourism and the hospitality industry in the West Midlands cannot be overstated. Places featured in the series have seen increased footfall from international visitors, bringing new revenue to hotels, restaurants and local attractions. These screen-tourism trends contribute to growth beyond the traditional city break, transforming Birmingham into a destination for themed stays, history-driven visits and immersive experiences.
Planning Your Trip: Step-by-Step
1. Choose your experience level: Whether you’re a casual visitor or a die-hard fan, select whether you want a full-day tour or a shorter experience focused on one location.
2. Book ahead: Popular tours and museum evenings fill up quickly, so plan in advance, especially if travelling from overseas.
3. Stay central: Consider accommodation in Birmingham city centre or just outside in the West Midlands to stay close to transport links and filming-location sites.
4. Explore beyond the show: While the sites linked to Peaky Blinders are central, the area also offers industrial-heritage museums, canal-side walks, historic pubs and modern street-art districts—giving context to the era and city depicted in the show.
5. Visit key museum nights: The Black Country Living Museum hosts themed evenings tied to the show—these offer a deeper, atmospheric experience of the world that inspired Peaky Blinders.
Why Birmingham Stands Out Today
Birmingham, once overshadowed by London or Manchester in the tourism market, has found a fresh narrative through its screen heritage. The association with Peaky Blinders has helped reposition the city’s industrial past as a draw for creative-and-media visitors, film fans and history seekers. The recognition of these filming-location experiences has given Birmingham a distinctive edge in the UK travel market—one that other cities replicating film-tourism programmes aim to follow.
Tips for a Memorable Visit
- Weather check: UK weather can be changeable—pack layers if you’ll be walking historic streets or canal-side locations.
- Comfortable footwear: Many of the filming sites involve walking over cobbles, canal towpaths or industrial-heritage grounds.
- Combine themes: Pair your Peaky Blinders tour with a visit to nearby historic pubs, industrial museums or the craft-beer scene in Digbeth.
- Transport tip: Birmingham New Street and nearby train stations provide easy reach to Dudley and the Black Country; local buses may service the final leg of travel.
- Stay a night or two: To fully absorb the heritage and atmosphere, plan for at least one overnight stay rather than a rushed day trip.
The Lasting Legacy
Twelve years after its launch, Peaky Blinders continues to influence travel, culture and community in the West Midlands. What began as a television series has grown into a reason to visit, explore, dress up, photograph and share the locations that inspired the iconic show. Visitors who arrive expecting only scenes from the screen often leave with a deeper appreciation of Birmingham’s industrial past, creative film scene and evolving place in global tourism.
In conclusion: If you’re looking for a destination where story, screen and place merge, Birmingham provides an immersive journey into the era of the Shelby family—complete with guided walks, historic pubs, atmospheric museums and a fan community alive with passion. From the canal-side alleys of the Black Country to the street art of Digbeth, the world of Peaky Blinders awaits—and it’s bridging into one of the UK’s most surprising tourism successes.
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