Places to Visit in the West Midlands: Cities, Towns & Castles

The West Midlands has a mix of cities, historic towns, countryside, castles, cathedrals, canals and market towns to visit. It’s a good region for day trips, short breaks and train travel, with places including Birmingham, Warwick, Stratford-upon-Avon, Worcester and Shrewsbury.

The region includes Birmingham and the wider West Midlands, along with nearby counties such as Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, and Herefordshire. Some highlights are ideal for history lovers, while others suit walks, gardens, food, riverside strolls, canalside routes or dog-friendly days out.

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Best Places to Visit in the West Midlands

The region has towns, cities and villages that work well for day trips, weekends or longer breaks. You can find fun activities on the GetYourGuide website.

Birmingham

Birmingham is the largest city in the West Midlands and a good choice for museums, food markets, canals, street art, shopping and live events.

For those interested in art or history, there are many galleries and museums for you to choose from. It also has lots of restaurants to dine out at, including international cuisine. Birmingham also has one of the best food markets in the region.

Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford-upon-Avon is the birthplace of William Shakespeare and has several attractions linked to his life and work. There are other sights to see, including some fascinating museums and a fair few theatres to watch a show.

The River Avon runs through the town, making it a beautiful place to explore on foot. Stratford also has an abundance of fine establishments to dine at, including posh cafes and historic pubs.

Warwick

Warwick is a lovely town, with the castle as the highlight of a visit, a popular tourist attraction. There are other things to visit while spending time in Warwick, including museums, churches and parks. They also have companies offering boat hire on the River Avon.

Leamington Spa

Leamington Spa is a pretty place to visit for a day out, with lovely gardens to see. They also have a spa, some interesting churches, and a theatre. The Royal Pump Room houses an interesting museum.

Worcester

Worcester is a fantastic historical place to visit for a day trip or a longer stay. There are plenty of tourist attractions and historical sites to visit, including the iconic cathedral. The city has museums to visit, including those covering the Tudor era and the English Civil War.

The River Severn runs through the city, and there are some enjoyable walks to do along the riverbanks. Worcester also has some pleasant pubs and restaurants to enhance your visit.

Great Malvern

The Worcestershire town of Great Malvern is a pretty place to visit. It’s a picturesque place in the Malvern Hills National Landscape, perfect for those who enjoy hillwalking. You’ll also see many pleasant buildings when strolling through the town. For fun, there are museums, cafes and theatres to visit.

Lichfield

For a dog-friendly city break, Lichfield is a good option. There are lots to see in this Staffordshire city, including a park with a boating lake. You can also visit the unique three-spired cathedral, the only one of its kind in the UK. We found good lunch options, including a special chippy.

Coventry

Coventry is a former European Capital of Culture and an interesting place to visit. It has some lovely historic buildings, including its famous cathedral. There are lots of opportunities to enjoy the arts while in the city, too.

Kenilworth For A Historic Day Out

Kenilworth is another lovely town to visit, especially with a dog in tow. There are many things to see, including a castle, abbey ruins, churches and lots of open space to walk. The town has nice eateries for dining out or just having a drink.

Shrewsbury

If you like beautiful towns with history, Shrewsbury would make for a great day out. It has lots of timber-framed buildings, churches, and a castle. It also has a prison-turned-tourist attraction you can visit.

The River Severn runs through the town, meaning it is a perfect place for a walk. The gardens in Shrewsbury are also worth a visit and a mooch around.

Henley-in-Arden

If you like small, cute towns, look no further than Henley-in-Arden in Warwickshire. It’s a lovely place with a few attractions to see and some good places to dine out for lunch. The nearby countryside is also fantastic for a stroll, including along the little river that runs through the town.

Harbury Village

One of Warwickshire’s lesser-visited places is the village of Harbury. Two nearby windmills, a few churches, and some village pubs.

Harbury has been a settlement for over 3,000 years, and it was mentioned in the Domesday Book. The village is on a hill, and the surrounding area is ideal for short walks or longer hikes. A popular route is to visit the nearby attraction, Chesterton Windmill.

West Midlands Tourist Attractions

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

If you love gardens and nature, Birmingham Botanical Gardens is an ideal attraction. The gardens are absolutely stunning to wander around. You can see a variety of plant types and gardening styles during a day visit. They also have a picnic area and a cafe for refreshments.

Warwickshire Castles

Warwickshire has some rather special castles to visit. The most popular is the legendary Warwick Castle, which has events on and is an interesting place to explore. Kenilworth Castle is also a top spot for a day trip, with castle ruins and beautiful Elizabethan gardens.

Cannock Chase National Landscape in Staffordshire

If you enjoy the great outdoors and fun activities, Cannock Chase in Staffordshire is a good option for a day trip. The Chase offers scenic trails for hiking and mountain biking. As a bonus, the scenery is stunning, with woodland, lakes and small rivers with stepping stones. It is an ideal place to visit for a picnic on a sunny day.

Canal Walks

The region has many canals, and the Birmingham canal network is pretty epic. Canals run from Birmingham to other places in the region. These are ideal for walking, boat trips or wildlife spotting. A top spot on the canal network is Gas Street Basin.

Street Art & Graffiti Walk in Digbeth

One of my favourite aspects of the 2nd city is the Street Art & Graffiti Walks in Digbeth. Digbeth is a quirky area of Birmingham with fun things to do and street art. It also has a vibrant food and nightlife scene.

Cathedrals

Cathedrals are a chance to learn history and enjoy the architecture. The West Midlands has some interesting cathedrals to visit, including the stunning Worcester Cathedral and the unique Lichfield Cathedral. Coventry also has a fascinating cathedral that was mostly destroyed during World War Two. Birmingham has two cathedrals to visit, as well as a range of churches.

The Shakespeare Attractions

Stratford-on-Avon has many tourist attractions related to Shakespeare, including Shakespeare’s birthplace and Anne Hathaway’s Cottage. You can also visit theatres that perform his work while you’re in town. Other places of interest and monuments related to the famous playwright also exist. This includes his former church and final resting place.