The West Midlands is where England’s cities meet its countryside. Birmingham, the country’s second city, is full of canals, shops and restaurants, and within an hour you can be in Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon, the Ironbridge Gorge or the quiet orchards and rivers of Herefordshire.
Why visit the West Midlands
For variety and easy connections. Birmingham sits at the centre of England’s rail network, so it is a convenient base, and the region covers everything from industrial heritage and great museums to market towns, cathedrals and gentle hills.
Top places to visit in the West Midlands
Birmingham
More miles of canals than Venice, the Bullring and the Mailbox for shopping, the historic Jewellery Quarter, the Library of Birmingham and the famous Balti Triangle.
Stratford-upon-Avon
Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre on the banks of the Avon.
Ironbridge Gorge
A UNESCO World Heritage Site with the world’s first iron bridge (1779) and ten museums about the Industrial Revolution.
Hereford and Herefordshire
Hereford Cathedral, home to the medieval Mappa Mundi and a Chained Library, cider orchards, black-and-white villages and the River Wye.
Best time to visit the West Midlands
April to October is ideal for gardens, rivers and the countryside. Birmingham is a year-round city break, with a large Christmas market from November to December.
Getting around the West Midlands
Birmingham Airport has its own station. Trains from London Euston reach Birmingham in about 80 minutes, and local trains continue to Stratford-upon-Avon and Hereford. A car helps in rural Herefordshire and Shropshire.
What to eat in the West Midlands
A balti curry in Birmingham, where the dish was popularised; Herefordshire beef and local cider; and the region’s famous chocolate heritage at Bournville.
West Midlands FAQ
Is Birmingham worth visiting?
Yes. It has free museums and galleries, canal walks, great shopping and one of the most varied food scenes in the UK.
Can I visit Stratford-upon-Avon as a day trip?
Yes. It is about an hour by train from Birmingham and about two hours from London.
