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5 days in the West Midlands

Photo by: VisitBritain/Nemorin

Location: Birmingham, England

two young girls exploring Birmingham's main square.

Introduction

The West Midlands has plenty of stories to tell – from the plays of Shakespeare to the modern classic TV series Peaky Blinders. Enjoy world-class food, shopping and nightlife in buzzing Birmingham, Britain’s second largest city. Discover an underrated music scene in Coventry, and get to know our most famous playwright in his hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon. Though landlocked, the West Midlands is criss-crossed with canals, and exploring its towns and cities by narrowboat or paddleboard is a perfect introduction to this vibrant region.

Here’s our pick of the top things to see and do over five days in the West Midlands: 

Days 1 – 2 – Birmingham

Days 1-2 - Birmingham

Britain’s second city Birmingham has evolved from an industrial powerhouse to a cultural hotspot. Home to unique art galleries, quirky restaurants and wonderful modern architecture in the form of the iconic Selfridges building and Birmingham Library. Us Brits love a curry and Birmingham’s are best – you can’t leave without trying one on the Balti Triangle, but make sure you save room for street food and cocktails in trendy Digbeth too.

Photo by: VisitBritain/Storyman

Location: Birmingham, England

Birmingham, West Midlands

Things to do in Birmingham

Calling all chocoholics! Every inch of this museum and experience is dedicated to our favourite treat.

Book tickets to Cadbury World

Photo by: West Midlands Growth Company

A boy, with curly hair, squeezing chocolate out of a bottle
Cadbury World

Known as the ‘Black Country’ for the soot produced by its iron foundries, this open-air museum brings local history to life.

Step into history at the Black Country Living Museum

Photo by: The Black Country Living Museum

Boat Dock at The Black Country Living Museum in Dudley, West Midlands
Black Country Living Museum

From Michelin’s Best Young Chef 2021 to street food and Instagrammable cocktails, Digbeth is full of culinary delights.

Tuck into Digbeth’s food scene

Photo by: West Midlands Growth Company

Two women sat at a table beside the bar, raising glasses
Digbeth

Visit Bullring & Grand Central for top-notch shopping and dining, with leading fashion brands and restaurants galore.

Shop till you drop at Bullring & Grand Central

Photo by: VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

Three young people sat at a dining table with high views
Bullring & Grand Central

Hot, spicy and utterly moreish, the balti is Birmingham's signature dish – and this area is the best place to try it.

Plan your trip to the Balti Triangle

Photo by: VisitBritain/Storyman

Location: Birmingham, West Midlands

Woman sitting at table eating a curry
Balti Triangle

From vinyl records to 1950s fashions, this characterful market has a huge range of vintage treasures.

Discover Red Brick Markets

Location: Birmingham

IMG 7213_IMG_8541 Red Brick Market .jpg
Red Brick Market

This striking building features a theatre space, observation deck and peaceful wildlife gardens.

Discover Birmingham Library

Photo by: VisitBritain/Storyman

People posing for selfie in front of the Birmingham Library
Birmingham Library

This horticultural haven features four glasshouses, filled with plants and trees from all over the globe.

Explore Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Photo by: West Midlands Growth Company

Two women walking on grass past a pergola
Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Calling all chocoholics! Every inch of this museum and experience is dedicated to our favourite treat.

Book tickets to Cadbury World

Photo by: West Midlands Growth Company

A boy, with curly hair, squeezing chocolate out of a bottle
Cadbury World

Known as the ‘Black Country’ for the soot produced by its iron foundries, this open-air museum brings local history to life.

Step into history at the Black Country Living Museum

Photo by: The Black Country Living Museum

Boat Dock at The Black Country Living Museum in Dudley, West Midlands
Black Country Living Museum

From Michelin’s Best Young Chef 2021 to street food and Instagrammable cocktails, Digbeth is full of culinary delights.

Tuck into Digbeth’s food scene

Photo by: West Midlands Growth Company

Two women sat at a table beside the bar, raising glasses
Digbeth

Visit Bullring & Grand Central for top-notch shopping and dining, with leading fashion brands and restaurants galore.

Shop till you drop at Bullring & Grand Central

Photo by: VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

Three young people sat at a dining table with high views
Bullring & Grand Central

Hot, spicy and utterly moreish, the balti is Birmingham's signature dish – and this area is the best place to try it.

Plan your trip to the Balti Triangle

Photo by: VisitBritain/Storyman

Location: Birmingham, West Midlands

Woman sitting at table eating a curry
Balti Triangle

From vinyl records to 1950s fashions, this characterful market has a huge range of vintage treasures.

Discover Red Brick Markets

Location: Birmingham

IMG 7213_IMG_8541 Red Brick Market .jpg
Red Brick Market

This striking building features a theatre space, observation deck and peaceful wildlife gardens.

Discover Birmingham Library

Photo by: VisitBritain/Storyman

People posing for selfie in front of the Birmingham Library
Birmingham Library

This horticultural haven features four glasshouses, filled with plants and trees from all over the globe.

Explore Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Photo by: West Midlands Growth Company

Two women walking on grass past a pergola
Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Getting to Birmingham

Birmingham Airport is one of Britain’s biggest, and regularly welcomes travellers from destinations around the globe. A local bus service connects Birmingham Airport to the city centre in around 30 minutes.

Birmingham is located around 130 miles (210km) north-west of London. Trains from London Euston to Birmingham New Street depart regularly and take around one hour and 20 minutes.

While you're here...

Birmingham, England

Independent boutiques rub shoulders with cocktail bars, beauty salons, artisan bakeries and more.

Photo by: Great Western Arcade

An upstairs view across the Great Western Arcade in Birmingham
Birmingham, England

Featuring contemporary art from all over the world, this internationally acclaimed venue focuses on works by indigenous and migrant creatives.

Photo by: Ikon Gallery/Handover Agency

Ikon Gallery Birmingham Photo by Handover Agency (3).jpg
Birmingham, England

Did you know that Birmingham has more canals than Venice? Take a closer look on this adventure…

Photo by: VisitBritain/Storyman

Location: Birmingham

Two men kayaking on canal through central Birmingham

Day 3 – Coventry

Day 3 - Coventry

Don’t overlook Birmingham’s little sibling – there are heaps of things to do in Coventry. Proud of its legacy as the birthplace of two-tone, check out the city’s musical credentials in the Coventry Music Museum. Venture further into its quirky side at the eclectic FarGo Village, with vintage stalls, local beer and fun events every weekend. For an adrenaline kick, visit Britain’s biggest indoor water park, or soar through the treetops on a Go Ape adventure.

Photo by: VisitBritain/Nemorin/Peter Goding/dAUb/Jay Graham

Location: Coventry, England

Things to do in Coventry

From vintage to vegan, cheese festivals to retro nights, music evenings to its own vegan brewery, discover the home of 40 unique indie businesses.

Discover FarGo Village

Photo by: ©VisitBritain/Nemorin/ Snub23 and My Dog Sighs

Group of friends at Fargo village featuring artworks by artists Snub23 and My Dog Sighs. Coventry, West Midlands, England
FarGo Village

This toe-tapping museum is a treat for music lovers, with a cafe and memorabilia shop too.

Discover The Coventry Music Museum

Photo by: Jamie Gray

Location: Coventry, England

Coventry Music Museum
The Coventry Music Museum

Visit this incredible wall of light recreated around the bombed-out ruins of Coventry’s old cathedral.

More about Coventry’s new and old cathedrals

Photo by: West Midlands Growth Company

An exterior shot of Coventry Cathedral.
Coventry Cathedral

A haven for wildlife and outdoor lovers alike, and a favourite local spot for picnics and walks.

Discover Allesley Park

Photo by: We are / Digital Vision / Getty Images

Location: Coventry

Friends enjoying a picnic on Spring day
Allesley Park

Look out from Elizabeth I’s private rooms, and stroll through an immaculate historic garden.

Explore Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden

Photo by: Shutterstock / wael alreweie/ English Heritage

Location: Coventry, England

Fireworks display above Kenilworth Castle
Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden

Take on one of the UK’s biggest indoor waterparks and explore precision-engineered thrill-seeking.

Discover more about The Wave

Photo by: The Wave

Two children sliding on a pool inflatable at The Wave in Coventry
The Wave Coventry

From vintage to vegan, cheese festivals to retro nights, music evenings to its own vegan brewery, discover the home of 40 unique indie businesses.

Discover FarGo Village

Photo by: ©VisitBritain/Nemorin/ Snub23 and My Dog Sighs

Group of friends at Fargo village featuring artworks by artists Snub23 and My Dog Sighs. Coventry, West Midlands, England
FarGo Village

This toe-tapping museum is a treat for music lovers, with a cafe and memorabilia shop too.

Discover The Coventry Music Museum

Photo by: Jamie Gray

Location: Coventry, England

Coventry Music Museum
The Coventry Music Museum

Visit this incredible wall of light recreated around the bombed-out ruins of Coventry’s old cathedral.

More about Coventry’s new and old cathedrals

Photo by: West Midlands Growth Company

An exterior shot of Coventry Cathedral.
Coventry Cathedral

A haven for wildlife and outdoor lovers alike, and a favourite local spot for picnics and walks.

Discover Allesley Park

Photo by: We are / Digital Vision / Getty Images

Location: Coventry

Friends enjoying a picnic on Spring day
Allesley Park

Look out from Elizabeth I’s private rooms, and stroll through an immaculate historic garden.

Explore Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden

Photo by: Shutterstock / wael alreweie/ English Heritage

Location: Coventry, England

Fireworks display above Kenilworth Castle
Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden

Take on one of the UK’s biggest indoor waterparks and explore precision-engineered thrill-seeking.

Discover more about The Wave

Photo by: The Wave

Two children sliding on a pool inflatable at The Wave in Coventry
The Wave Coventry

Getting to Coventry from Birmingham

Dozens of trains from Birmingham to Coventry run every day, and the journey takes less than 30 minutes. Alternatively, buses from Birmingham to Coventry run roughly every 15 minutes, and take around one hour and 30 minutes.

While you're here...

Coventry, England

See the largest publicly owned collection of British vehicles of anywhere, including the world’s two fastest cars.

Photo by: ©VisitBritain/Nemorin

Two men looking at an exhibit of motorbikes at Coventry Transport Museum.
Ryton, England

Bursting with fruits, vegetables and flowers, and buzzing with bees and butterflies, this thriving oasis in Ryton is 100% organic.

Photo by: Garden Organic/Shaun Fellows

Location: Coventry, England

Garden organic, vegetable harvest
Coventry, England

Whizz through the treetops on thrilling zip wires – and try rope bridges, axe-throwing and more.

Photo by: Go Ape Coventry

Location: Coventry, England

 Go Ape Coventry

Explore more

See Britain's urban and rural areas from our waterways - from private canal boats to high speed jaunts along rivers.

Photo by: VisitBritain/Mollie Bylett

Two women kayaking on the river Thames heading toward Tower Bridge

Step back in time and experience the filming locations of Steven Knight's hit crime drama.

Photo by: The Black Country Living Museum

Boat Dock at The Black Country Living Museum in Dudley, West Midlands

From the Beatles’ Childhood Homes in Liverpool, to Abbey Road and David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust street in London, discover the UK’s most iconic musical landmarks.

Photo by: VisitBritain

Pianist playing in a moodily lit bar. Red lighting

Days 4 – 5 – Stratford-upon-Avon

Days 4-5 – Stratford-upon-Avon

The home of Shakespeare, Stratford-upon-Avon is a must-visit for lovers of literature and history. Visit the birthplace of the Bard, or watch one of his plays come to life in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. But Stratford isn’t stuck in the past – visit its gin distillery, walk with alpacas, or take a sun-soaked river cruise to discover what the town has to offer today.

Photo by: VisitBritain/Nemorin/Tom Hare

Location: Stratford-upon-Avon, England

Two women at Anne Hathaway's Cottage sitting on Tom Hare's 'The Moon Seat', Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England

Things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon

See a Shakespeare play in the hometown of the bard himself.

Take a tour of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre

Photo by: West Midlands Growth Company

The exterior of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Royal Shakespeare Theatre

Discover the childhood home of Britain’s most famous playwright, William Shakespeare.

Explore Shakespeare’s Birthplace

Photo by: ©VisitBritain/Nemorin

Couple walking around the exterior of Shakespeare's Birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England
Shakespeare’s Birthplace

Enjoy an hour-long cruise of the River Avon, with a gin tasting session included.

Raise a glass on board the gin cruise

Photo by: VisitBritain/Nemorin

VB34184826
Shakespeare Distillery Gin Cruise

Explore the home where Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare's wife, was born and raised.

Visit Anne Hathaway’s Cottage

Photo by: ©VisitBritain/Nemorin/Tom Hare

Location: Stratford-upon-Avon

Wheelchair user and friend sat beside a wooden sculpture
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage

Spectacular shows and spellbinding storytelling bring history to life.

Book tickets for Warwick Castle

Photo by: gary718/Shutterstock

Location: Warwick, England

A hot air balloon floats over Warwick Castle in Warwickshire, England.
Warwick Castle

Enjoy a cruise down the River Avon in one of the best ways to see Stratford-upon-Avon.

Take a boat trip with Avon Boating

Photo by: Gullachsen

Location: Stratford-Upon-Avon

A boat sailing down the river Avon in Stratford-upon-Avon
Boating on the River Avon

See a Shakespeare play in the hometown of the bard himself.

Take a tour of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre

Photo by: West Midlands Growth Company

The exterior of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Royal Shakespeare Theatre

Discover the childhood home of Britain’s most famous playwright, William Shakespeare.

Explore Shakespeare’s Birthplace

Photo by: ©VisitBritain/Nemorin

Couple walking around the exterior of Shakespeare's Birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England
Shakespeare’s Birthplace

Enjoy an hour-long cruise of the River Avon, with a gin tasting session included.

Raise a glass on board the gin cruise

Photo by: VisitBritain/Nemorin

VB34184826
Shakespeare Distillery Gin Cruise

Explore the home where Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare's wife, was born and raised.

Visit Anne Hathaway’s Cottage

Photo by: ©VisitBritain/Nemorin/Tom Hare

Location: Stratford-upon-Avon

Wheelchair user and friend sat beside a wooden sculpture
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage

Spectacular shows and spellbinding storytelling bring history to life.

Book tickets for Warwick Castle

Photo by: gary718/Shutterstock

Location: Warwick, England

A hot air balloon floats over Warwick Castle in Warwickshire, England.
Warwick Castle

Enjoy a cruise down the River Avon in one of the best ways to see Stratford-upon-Avon.

Take a boat trip with Avon Boating

Photo by: Gullachsen

Location: Stratford-Upon-Avon

A boat sailing down the river Avon in Stratford-upon-Avon
Boating on the River Avon

Getting to Stratford-upon-Avon from Coventry

Trains from Coventry to Stratford-upon-Avon take between one to two hours, and usually require a transfer in Birmingham.

While you're here...

Stratford-upon-Avon, England

See Stratford from the water on a stand-up paddleboard tour of the River Avon.

Photo by: SUP Stratford

Location: Stratford-Upon-Avon

A group of people paddleboarding down the river Avon near Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon, England

Take an alpaca out for a ramble and enjoy other animal experiences.

Photo by: Middle England Farm

Location: Stratford-Upon-Avon

A woman posing with an alpaca at Middle England Farm
Stratford-upon-Avon, England

Get hands-on at this weird and wonderful museum of kinetic art.

Photo by: the_mad_museum

Location: Stratford-upon-Avon

A family visiting the MAD Museum, Stratford-upon-Avon

Ready to discover the West Midlands?

Find out about passport requirements, what to expect at customs and immigration, as well as tips on travelling to Britain, getting around and some handy ways to save money while you’re here.

Photo by: Getty Images/SolStock

A multiracial family of four, a mother, father and their two little boys standing Newcastle railway station platform waiting for their train.

An industrial hub with a vibrant, creative heart and a whole host of quirky adventures.

Photo by: West Midlands Growth Company

Historical building, with a clock tower, beside a fountain

A vibrant music scene, quirky creative quarter and chock-loads of medieval history – there’s so much to see in Coventry.

Photo by: West Midlands Growth Company

Robot sculpture outside a building with geometric décor

Fall in love with this hopelessly romantic 16th-century town, birthplace of the great bard, William Shakespeare.

Photo by: ©VisitBritain/Nemorin

Couple walking around the exterior of Shakespeare's Birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England