Peaky Blinders Pub Crawl

Travel in the footsteps of the real Peaky Blinders on this Birmingham pub crawl - drink in the pubs the gang used to frequent and see the sites as the gang went from backstreet petty criminals to nationwide notoriety.

Filled with great pubs, bars and restaurants, today the streets of Digbeth are safe and some one of the best areas in the city, where Brummies head at the weekend and evening to relax. But just over 100 years ago these streets were crime ridden, overcrowded and home to the Peaky Blinders. Our pub crawl takes you on a journey into industrial Birmingham.

You may have heard of Digbeth from the Peaky Blinders TV show. Harold Hancox ,'The Digbeth Kid', self named after 'Billy the Kid', was a character in season 2 episode 3 who comes to a sticky end at the hands of the Sabini gang. A nervous 19 year old, he was stood up by the Peaky Blinders to go to jail when the police were checking local pubs for illegal gambling - often gangs got a tip off and in advance put up people who hadn't been arrested before as they usually only got a short sentence in jail. Harold was paid 5 pounds for the trouble, however he was killed by members of the Sabini gang in Winston Green Prison.

     

    We start our pub crawl outside The Rainbow pub in Digbeth (see point A on map). With The Garrison pub just over half a mile down the the road (see map), this is well and truly Peaky Blinder's territory. The Rainbow pub in Digbeth is the site of the first recorded crime of the Peaky Blinders in the late 19th century. George Eastwood, a local man was enjoying a drink at the pub when he was approached by the Peaky Blinders. A scuffle ensued and Eastwood decided to leave the pub to avoid a confrontation. The gang followed him out onto Adderley Street and attacked George. He was left in hospital for three weeks, and even had to have part of his skull removed due to his injuries. It's best to leave The Rainbow onto the main road and walk back towards the city centre. As you do keep an eye over your shoulder (to watch out for Peaky Blinder attacks), also for the 40ft Mural of Tommy Shelby (Site point on the map).

    Keep walking up the main road towards The Old Crown, Digbeth (see point B on the map). Originally a coaching inn, this black and white timber frame buildings is one of the oldest pubs in Birmingham going back to the 14th century. Inside the pub is filled with character with beams and low ceilings throughout - in the 1990s a well was discovered during renovations, this can be found as you pass through the back room to the beer garden. In its time, the pub has seen travellers from all over the country and even saw fighting around the building during the English Civil War, as Royalist forces under Prince Rupert attacked Birmingham. Today The Old Crown is a great spot for a drink, the bar serves local beers & ales and  large beer garden can be found outside that is often lively on a Saturday night. If you are looking for a stop off for food, The Digbeth Dining Club meets just down, near the Custard Factory, and has stalls serving a wide variety of food. 

    Next it's time to head to The White Swan, Digbeth (see point C on the map). Originally opening as a beer house, this Victorian pub is worth a visit for the tiled interior. Recently restored and re-opened.

    Onto, The Anchor, Digbeth (see point D on the map) - 18th century grade II listed red brick pub. As you leave The Anchor, head towards the Halton Turner Brewing company (see point E on the map), on the way in Barn Street you can see the remnants of The Bulls Head, a pub tied up in Birmingham's early 19th century, and definitely a haunt of the Peaky Blinders.

    The Halton Turner Brewery has a great range of local craft beers, and seems the best place to end (or extend) a pub crawl. Some other stop offs a short walk from the brewery include: 

    • Luna Springs
    • Mama Roux
    • Zumhoff

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    Find out more about the history of the Peaky Blinders in our blog post.