West Midlands is a modern county in the UK with roughly three million in population. It covers seven landlocked metropolitans, including the touristy Birmingham, which is England’s second-largest city. Urban sightings of art museums, cathedrals, parks, grand European architecture, and romantic canals will keep your itinerary busy, but you can surely free up some space in your calendar to see the subtle country charm of West Midlands. The county boasts 23 Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and 1 of them is the beautiful Sutton Park, which features a castle-like building fronting a clear lake. Then you have Turners Hill, the county’s highest point. Discover more beautiful places and unique experiences with the help of the list we have prepared for visitors like you. Check out the best things to do in West Midlands, UK.
1. Have a sweet experience at Cadbury World
Perfect for families and those with a sweet tooth, Cadbury World gives access to a fun-filled adventure to its visitors. Hop on to the Crunchie rollercoaster and Cadbury Creme Egg airship with your kids at its 4D cinema. There is also an attraction named Gill Cocks Collection, where you can see Cadbury memorabilia released as early as the 19th century.
Cadbury World also allows you to take a peek at the manufacturing process of its sweet treats. If you are up for an adventure, enter its Aztec Jungle and take a walk down memory lane to the origins of cocoa beans, the bread and butter of chocolates.
Cadbury World
Address: Cadbury World, 69 Linden Rd, Bournville, Birmingham B30 1JR, United Kingdom
Website: Cadbury World
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 3:30pm; Sat: 9am - 4:30pm; Sun: 9:30am - 4pm
Price: Free entry for children below 3 years old; 15.50 GBP (19.10 USD) for children ages 3-15; 21 GBP (25.88 USD) for adults
2. Reconnect with nature at Birmingham Botanical Gardens
If you’re looking for a relaxing place in the county, check out Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Surrounded by lush trees and flowers, this botanical garden hosts classes related to plants, health, and wellness for visitors to appreciate the value of nature. You can attend its gardening classes and unveil the green thumb you never knew you had in you.
Bring your kids to a storytelling session by the garden and invite them to make creative works with other children. You can also join guided tours and get to know more about the perennials inside this lovely garden.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Address: Westbourne Rd, Birmingham B15 3TR, United Kingdom
Website: Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Opening hours: 7am - 6pm (daily) from spring to summer; 7am - 5pm (daily) from fall to winter
Price: Free entry
3. Explore the beauty of Wightwick Manor & Gardens
When in a charming European county, you cannot miss a good walk inside a real-life mansion. Do it at Wightwick Manor and Gardens in Wolverhampton. This lovely Victorian manor was once a residence of England’s affluent industrialist and now managed by the National Trust. Its architectural style is already a sight to behold, but wait until you see more of its extensive art collection and lounge at their lovely tearoom. The expansive, grassy grounds are open to the public. Have an afternoon walk in the gardens, and appreciate the timeless Victorian art that stands before you.
Wightwick Manor and Gardens
Address: Wightwick Bank, Wolverhampton WV6 8EE, United Kingdom
Website: Wightwick Manor and Gardens
Opening hours: 10am - 4pm (daily)
Price: 9 USD
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4. Fly up in the sky for Birmingham's best view (from USD 160.0)
Enjoy England’s second-largest city from up above. Book this one-hour sightseeing tour with a local pilot with two comrades. If you run out of ideas for a date, you may as well take this scenic flight. Your passionate private pilot takes you through Birmingham’s best views and shares country tales that will altogether create an enjoyable ride in the clouds. Flights are available anywhere between 9am to 5pm, and routes can be discussed with your friendly pilot.
Fly around Birmingham with a local pilot
Duration: 1 hour
5. Explore history in the old building of Sarehole Mill in Birmingham
Watermills back in the olden times are essential in grinding grains and crafting tools. The 250-year-old Sarehole Mill in Birmingham is a tourist-favorite not only for its picturesque location but for its association with JRR Tolkien, who used to live his childhood years yards away from the mill. The iconic Hobbiton may have been inspired by Sarehole Mill’s idyllic location. Now, this lovely museum holds a collection of memoirs you can discover on your next visit to Birmingham.
Sarehole Mill
Address: Cole Bank Rd, Birmingham B13 0BD, United Kingdom
Website: Sarehole Mill
Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 11am - 4pm (closed on Mon - Tue)
Price: Free
6. Satisfy your sweet tooth in an afternoon tea baking class (from USD 77.0)
When you visit West Midlands, you can bring home not only memories but also skills. Embrace your sweet tooth and join this 90-minute baking class. You will learn how to make scones using organic ingredients. By the end of the session, you get to eat your scones with clotted cream, dips, and jam in a lovely home in Stratford-upon-Avon. This fun, immersive experience is best shared with family and friends.
Traditional Cream Tea Experience - Baking Class
Duration: 1.5 hours
7. Discover the underground magic of Dudley Canal in Dudley
Europe is famous for its romantic inland waterways. Dudley Tunnel, one of the beautiful canal tunnels, runs fairly long, about 2,900 m (9,514 ft). When in Dudley, West Midlands, you should not miss a magical and educational underground ride with your loved ones. The tunnel displays over-400-million-year-old historical artifacts and information, which will make your journey worthwhile.
Dudley Canal
Address: 501 Birmingham New Road, Dudley, West Midlands
Website: Dudley Canal
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 11 USD
8. Browse the motorcycle collection at National Motorcycle Museum (from USD 18.0)
Racers and non-racers find themselves fascinated with the extensive motorcycle collection at National Motorcycle Museum. Explore 1,000 models on display, including unique, classic, and modern designs. The 1898 Beeston Humber Tricycle is a rare model but you can definitely feast your eyes on it at the museum. Surely, you can also find other interesting pieces to admire.
National Motorcycle Museum Admission
Duration: 2 hours
9. Enjoy a picnic at Birmingham Airport Aircraft Viewing Area
A picnic can be made extra adventurous at Birmingham Airport Aircraft Viewing Area. It’s a lovely space to dine out with your family and friends. Pack your favorite sandwiches or grab food from any of the airport snack stalls. You can do this little picnic spree upon your arrival, before departure, or anytime you’re free. You never know how relaxing it is to watch airplanes come and go until you try.
Birmingham Airport Aircraft Viewing Area
Address: 21 Bickenhill Ln, Birmingham B26 3QY, United Kingdom
Website: Birmingham Airport Aircraft Viewing Area
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
10. Spend an evening of entertainment at The Core Theatre
This multi-purpose theater forms part of The Core building in Solihull and has hosted several different entertainment shows such as theater plays, exhibits, concerts, forums, and so on. You can check out their official website for event updates. There is a courtyard gallery for painting and art enthusiasts. Also, inside the building, you will find a community library and cafes. A warm cup of espresso is always a good idea for conversations after a theater show.
The Core Theater in Solihull
Address: Homer Rd, Touchwood, Solihull B91 3RG, United Kingdom
Website: The Core Theater in Solihull
Opening hours: Mon, Wed, Fri: 10am - 2pm
Price: From 27 USD
11. Create your own masterpiece (from USD 101.0)
Is it not a lovely idea to craft your travel souvenir? In this three-hour workshop, you will learn how to create silver jewelry consisting of a ring, a pendant, or a pair of earrings. Your host is a seasoned jeweler who will provide a demo and assist you when your turn comes. You can bring friends with you to this creative experience as the session can accommodate groups of three. Feel free to stretch your imagination for designs.
Silver Jewellery Making Workshop
Duration: 3.5 hours
12. Bond with the horses in Meriden (from USD 42.0)
The small historic village of Meriden allows you to bond with one of the most majestic creatures on land, which are horses. Close encounters with horses are both therapeutic and fun. If riding seems too scary, you can try grooming horses first. This one-hour tour can teach you how to walk horses, groom them, prepare them for rides, and even watch them lunge. You can also get to know their personalities and backgrounds firsthand. You can bring your kids so they can also enjoy an educational experience. This adventure may be the start of their new hobby.
Horse Groom Experience
Duration: 1 hour
Discover unique experiences in West Midlands
When discovering new places, it is nice to immerse yourself in local experiences like making jewelry, baking scones, grooming horses, and so on. It is also refreshing to try something new like hovering over the West Midlands region on an airplane. How is that for a tour? The top things to do in West Midlands presented in this article will make you want to come back to this lovely part of England.
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