With Summer holidays upon us (and the weather holding for now) it is the best time for a trip out. If you only have the day, and don’t want to spend half of your time in the car, there are some brilliant places to visit only an hour or less away from Birmingham. Here is a round up of some of the nearest and dearest.
Stratford-Upon-Avon
The famous home of William Shakespeare, Stratford-Upon-Avon is a must-visit for all those who are interested in literature and history. Walk through Shakespeare’s Birthplace and Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, or take in a play at the Royal Shakespeare Company, which has featured actors such as David Tennant and Judi Dench in past productions.
If plays aren’t your jam, there is still a lot of things to do around the town. Stratford Butterfly Farm is the largest tropical butterfly enclosure in the UK and is always a treat for adults and children alike. History buffs will love Tudor World, especially their spooky ghost tour, and the scientists among you are sure to enjoy the MAD museum. The town itself boasts many independent cafés, boat trips, and many brilliant street performers, so there is something for everyone! To get the most out of your visit around Birmingham, you need a reliable car. Luckily, there’s no need to buy one: simply rent a car for the weekend from Rental24.co.uk and drive around all the places within an hour’s drive of Birmingham in comfort and pleasure.
Bewdley
Just past Kidderminster can be found the wonderful Georgian town of Bewdley. With an 18th century church slap bang in the middle of the road on the high street, it really feels like this town was built with the word “quaint” in mind. The museum displays the history of the area and displays the work of many local craftspeople, and the local train station services the incredible Severn Valley Railway.
Outdoorsy people will love this area. The River Severn flows right through the town, so can spend a summer day lounging riverside with an ice cream from Mrs Chill’s or a bag of fish and chips from Merchants. If you’re feeling more adventurous, then Bewdley borders the Wyre Forest, a huge woodland nature reserve with walking, cycling, and horse trails. Animal-lovers must visit West Midlands Safari Park, who have everything from sea lion shows to a safari drive through, so you can pretend you’re on a wild African safari without the long plane journey.
Drayton Manor
Want to get that adrenaline rush after a week of sitting at a desk? Well, there is a major theme park not half an hour away from Birmingham. Often overlooked for the slightly further Alton Towers, Drayton Manor has over 100 attractions to really get the blood pumping. You will find some theme park classics like the dodgems, a pirate ship, and a chair swing ride, as well as large rollercoasters such as the white-knuckle Shockwave.
If you’re more of a stay-on-the-ground-with-the-bags person, there’s still plenty of attractions for you to enjoy. There is 15 acres of zoo that is dedicated to conservation and includes endangered animals like the red panda as well as well-loved creatures such as the meerkat. Young children will love the unique Thomas Land, themed around Thomas the Tank Engine, and the 4D cinema is a great place to sit down or take refuge from the weather whilst still taking in the magic of the park.
Ironbridge
Birmingham may be one of the furthest cities in the UK from a beach, but if you still want to enjoy those seaside vibes, Ironbridge is the ideal place. Sweet shops, chippies, and ice cream stores line the street that overlooks the water, but instead of the waves of the sea, you will get views of the River Severn and the woods on the other side of it. Benches are positioned at a few overlooks and railings line the riverside walkway, so you have plenty of options of how to enjoy the view.
Of course, Ironbridge is most well-known for its namesake: The cast-iron bridge that straddles the river. This historical landmark was a world first, built in the 18th century, and is now a World Heritage Site. Ironbridge stands as one of the key sites of Industrial history, and if you want to delve deeper into the history of the area, you can also visit the Tollhouse and the Museum of the Gorge.
Bourton-on-the-Water
The Cotswolds are a classic holiday location for many in the UK, but if you only have a day, Bourton-on-the-Water is the place to visit. Although a small village, it is packed with things to do and places to see. A recommendation for any child of the 90s is the Cotswold Motoring Museum, which is home to BBC’s most important TV icon, Brum. The car itself is nestled between the other beautiful examples of automotive design, and in fact the opening scene to the show’s intro takes place in this museum! The Model Village is another great attraction, especially for children who will feel like giants.
Slightly further out you can find both Birdland and Greystones Farm, which are fantastic for nature lovers. There are also the Cotswolds themselves and all they have to offer. The famous limestone buildings are visible throughout Bourton, and if you walk for even a short time in any direction, you will find yourself in a country paradise.
RAF Cosford
Here’s one for all the dads and aviation fans out there! The Royal Air Force Museum in Cosford is the place to see if you have an interesting in all things flight. With over 150 artefacts and aircraft, the site is huge and full of things to see. If you prefer a more hands-on experience, there is a flight simulator of a Eurofighter Typhoon, as well as a VR zone, in which you can experience being the pilot of a Spitfire (the pride of Birmingham). As if that wasn’t enough, the 4D theatre offers an adventure that can be shared with the whole family.
Outside, there are picnic areas and a substantial-sized playground to in at which to let the kids jump around while you relax at lunch. The best event, however, has to be the annual RAF Cosford Air Show, which sees classic planes flying overhead, including the famous Red Arrows. Thousands of people visit this show every year as it is the only official RAF air show in the country. Although the 2022 show has been and gone, mark June in your calendar for next year, as this is an event that you show see at least once!
