Birmingham, England
Northwest of London and bordering Wales, the West Midlands is a region all-too-often missed off tourist itineraries, but with its historic towns, multicultural cities and rolling countryside, it offers an authentic taste of central England. The best way to get off-the-beaten-track is to hire a car, but trains and buses also connect all the main sights to London and the North. To help you plan your itinerary, here are the top 5 must-see attractions in the West Midlands.
1. Birmingham
Britain’s second-biggest city is a cultural melting pot, home to a sizable ethnic population and a wealth of bars, restaurants and venues that take advantage of its cosmopolitan charms. Wander around the historic Jewellery Quarter and the colorful Custard Factory, then hit the shops at the iconic Bullring shopping mall, famed for its unique modernist architecture or take a cruise around the city’s scenic canal ways. Next, learn about the city’s long history at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, then challenge your knowledge at the state-of-the-art Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum. For dinner, head to the so-called ‘Balti Triangle’, home to some of the country’s best curry restaurants, where you can try local specialty, Balti curry.
2. Stratford-upon-Avon
A hugely popular day-trip from London, the unassuming market town of Stratford-upon-Avon was catapulted into the limelight back in the 16th-century thanks to its most famous former resident – William Shakespeare. Today, the birthplace of Shakespeare is an important place of pilgrimage for literary enthusiasts and fans can visit Shakespeare’s houses and gardens, including the playwright’s childhood home, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Mary Arden’s Farm, or watch performances by the world-renowned Royal Shakespeare Company.
3. River Wye
The West Midlands is the ideal place to get off-the-beaten-track and there’s no better way to get away from it all than cruising down the idyllic River Wye, which flows through the midland valleys and along the Welsh border. Hire canoes and paddle downstream, hike along the riverside or ride a canal barge over the border into Wales. Prefer to stand on solid ground? Take a ride on the Severn Valley Railway instead – a 16-mile heritage rail route, where you can look out over the region’s most spectacular scenery from onboard an authentic steam train.
4. Warwick Castle
Journey back to the Middle Ages with a visit to one of England’s most popular medieval fortresses – Warwick Castle. Founded by William the Conqueror and rebuilt by King Henry II, this is an authentic fortified castle, where you can explore the Armory, State Rooms, Great Hall and dungeons. Visit during the summer season (or school holidays) and you can even camp out in a luxury medieval tent, watch jousting, archery and falconry displays, and see the world’s largest working catapult in action.
5. Fun Activities
The West Midlands is an ideal destination for a family vacation and there are a huge number of fun activities, theme parks and unique day outs to suit all ages, many at much more budget-friendly prices than London. Test your nerves at Alton Towers, the UK’s most popular theme park, or ride Europe’s only stand-up rollercoaster at Drayton Manor amusement park; get up close to the creatures of the deep at the National SEA LIFE Centre in Birmingham; get your adrenaline pumping at the renowned Cannock Chase mountain bike trails; or indulge your sweet tooth at the legendary Cadbury World, a behind-the-scenes visit to the UK’s most famous chocolate factory. For an even more unforgettable experience, why not book a flight simulator experience at Birmingham airport or fly a jet or space simulator at Coventry airport?
Top Attractions in the West Midlands from England Things to Do
