̽»¨Ö±²¥

Finding the time to take up a new hobby can be difficult, but it’s important that life isn’t all work and no play. If you’re interested in trying something new, we’ve compiled an A-Z list of some hobbies you may want to try.

A is for Arts (and crafts)

Unleash your arty side at the with courses on sewing and dressmaking, painting and drawing, and embroidery.

If you’re a BCU student, you can join the society who offer a friendly atmosphere to get creative in.

B is for Baking

Whether you’re an aspiring Bake Off champion or just want to impress your friends,  has a roundup of all the baking and dessert classes happening in ̽»¨Ö±²¥ and donate to Mental Health UK with every booking.

C is for Climbing

If you fancy trying climbing or bouldering, you can head to Ìý´Ç°ù .ÌýWith courses for beginners and experienced staff, you’re in good hands to learn the ropes.

For BCU students, the Students’ Union has a  so you can have a go and meet new people.

D is for Dancing

Put on your dancing shoes, because  has classes for every ability in Tap and Tango. There are lots of different  to try, or you could have a go at .Ìý in the Hippodrome offers a big range of classes from ballet to waacking.Ìý

BCUSU has a range of , including  and .

E is for Escape Rooms

If you love problem-solving, you’ll love the city’s offering of escape rooms. There’s , which has virtual and outdoor escape rooms as well as traditional rooms,  which has Peaky Blinders-themed rooms, and  which has a Game of Thrones-inspired room.

F is for Foreign Languages

It’s never too late to learn a new language, either for an upcoming holiday or just to boost your brainpower. If you’re fed up with the Duolingo owl and want to learn at your own pace in your own time, why not try ? Based in the ̽»¨Ö±²¥ Library, these courses from the ̽»¨Ö±²¥ Adult Education Service offer different ways of learning to suit everyone.

G is for Gardening

Got a green thumb? Why not visit the  for some inspiration or to get your dose of Vitamin G. Entry is free for BCU students and staff, just show your pass at the ticket gate.Ìý

Of course, we’ve got you covered at BCU with  at our City South campus, an opportunity for students and staff to get involved with growing.Ìý

H is for Houseplants

No garden? No problem! Houseplants are known to boost mental health and well-being, so surround yourself with some leafy friends from ̽»¨Ö±²¥â€™s independent plant shops.

I is for Ice Skating

If you enjoy the ice rink in Centenary Square every year, why not take it up as a hobby and ice skate all year round at  in Solihull?

J is for Jewellery making

For those interested in making their own jewellery, look no further than ! They have a range of courses to suit every experience level. ̽»¨Ö±²¥ School of Jewellery also offer .Ìý

K is for Kickboxing

If exercise is how you get your kicks,  has Kickboxing and Kung Fu classes, including ladies-only and children’s sessions.

And yes, for our students BCUSU even has a !

L is for Literature

Those wanting to read more may want to find a friendly local book club, so we’ve found an A-Z of all the  in ̽»¨Ö±²¥â€™s many libraries. There are also book clubs in the city run by bookshops like if you're interested in diverse authors.

M is for Musical Instruments

Wish you played a musical instrument? Start learning in ̽»¨Ö±²¥ with or at . You can learn to play piano, drums, guitar and more, or take singing and songwriting lessons.Ìý

N is for Nature walks

It's not hard to escape the hubbub of ̽»¨Ö±²¥ city centre and get closer to nature. Catch the bus to  or walk up the canal to  to get your fill of nature. It's also a short train ride to , which has 2,400 acres of green space, ponds and scenic walking routes.Ìý 

O is for Open Water Swimming

If you like swimming but want to try something a bit different, head to to have a go at open water (wild) swimming.Ìý

P is for Pottery

For those who want to be more creative, you can learn a new craft at  which is based in the Old Print Works in Balsall Heath.

Q is for Quizzes

Do you love testing your brain and trivia with a quiz night? There are plenty of fun options in ̽»¨Ö±²¥, check out our list of the best pub quizzes in the city. From music venues to quirky bars, there’s something to suit everyone’s vibe.Ìý

R is for Rollerskating

Whether you're a newbie or perfecting your skating skills, there's a great scene to get involved with in ̽»¨Ö±²¥. On sunny days and evenings you'll find a group by the library in Centenary Square or by the lake in Cannon Hill Park, plus there's a  for bad weather days.Ìý

S is for skateboarding

If ice skating isn’t for you, why not try skateboarding?  offers lessons for those wanting to learn to ride skateboards and scooters.

T is for Thrifting

Thrifting is a great way to change your wardrobe at a fraction of the cost compared to the high street, and it’s good for the environment. ̽»¨Ö±²¥ has a  of second-hand and vintage shops for you to thrift to your heart’s content.

U is for Upcycling

Just like thrifting, upcycling is great for the environment and can turn your well-loved furniture into something completely different. Here’s a handy  to upcycling.

V is for Video games

If you’re into video games or just want to see what all the fuss is about,  is an arcade bar in the Custard Factory where you can play Guitar Hero, Mortal Kombat and more.

BCUSU also has a  where all students are welcome to play a variety of console games including Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros.

W is for Writing

If you like reading and have a novel idea of your own, join fellow aspiring writers to take a course in Creative Writing at .

̽»¨Ö±²¥ also offers English and Creative Writing courses if you’ve already got a taste for it.

X is for Xtreme Sports

(Give us this one, almost nothing starts with X!) If you’re into extreme sports, the ̽»¨Ö±²¥ BMX Club may be for you.

Y is for Yoga

Do you want to practice mindfulness or harness the health benefits of yoga? Less than a 10-minute walk from New Street Station lies .

For BCU students, there is a  that aims to make students happier and healthier.

Z is for Zumba

If you want to get fit and have fun while doing it, you’ll love Zumba! Mixing cardio with Latin-inspired music, you can find  all over ̽»¨Ö±²¥.