A Guide to the Best Day Trips from Birmingham England
Sometimes you need a change from the UK’s bustling second city, and these fabulous day trips from Birmingham will surely keep you entertained. We teamed up with some knowledgeable UK travel bloggers to bring you the best Birmingham day trips on offer, as well as sharing our favourite places to go for the day too. From national parks to world-class cities to unique attractions – there is something for everyone to have a fun day out.
Some of these fantastic Birmingham day trips are accessible by train, and if you are planning on travelling by train in the UK, it is recommended that you book your tickets in advance. Train travel does not have to be expensive (but it can be) – we use the Trainline website to find the best prices before we go.
Good to know: there are several Birmingham Train Stations so check which one you need before you go. These are: Birmingham New Street Station, Snow Hill Station, Birmingham Moor Street Station.
15 Best Day Trips from Birmingham UK
The Cotswolds
Undeniably, one of the best day trips from Birmingham is to the Cotswolds. The Cotswolds are spread over several counties, including Gloucestershire, Somerset, Worcestershire and Oxfordshire. Choosing which area of the Cotswolds to visit can depend on your interests. For example, if you are interested in visiting market towns, head to Stow on the Wold or Moreton in Marsh. If you enjoy history, a visit to Sudeley Castle or Blenheim Palace is a must. For quaint honey-coloured houses, plan a visit to Bibury or Bourton on the Water.
Some places in the Cotswolds are easily accessible from Birmingham by train. For example, Stratford is less than an hour away from Birmingham Moor Street or Snow Hill train stations. Others are best visited by car with the average drive time from Birmingham around an hour.
The most popular destinations in the Cotswolds include castles – Sudeley Castle and country houses – Snowshill Manor, Kelmscott Manor and attractions such as the Cotswold Lavender Fields and Farm.
There are many excellent pubs and tea shops in the Cotswolds serving afternoon tea or traditional English fayre. Recommendations include The Bell at Stow on the Wold, The Swan in Swinbrook and Tisanes Tea Room in Broadway.
With so many places to visit and things to do in the Cotswolds, it is possible to make several day trips and still have lots to see!
Recommended by Tracy of U.K. Travel Planning
Great Malvern
Great Malvern is a beautiful town in Worcestershire for a day trip from Birmingham. It is an easy train ride from the city, which takes over an hour and costs £11.90 for a return. Alternatively, you could drive via the M5 motorway, which takes 55 minutes.
Great Malvern is a lovely town to explore with lots of beautiful buildings, theatres and art galleries to visit. Great Malvern Priory is a great place to start, and it has a fascinating history and some splendid 15th century stained glass windows. Hiking routes into the Malvern Hills AONB start in Great Malvern. These hills are great for a walk, and the views are splendid. You can see thirteen counties from the peaks of the Malverns and the Severn Valley and three cathedrals on a clear day.
There are many lovely places to dine out or have a drink in Great Malvern. A friendly pub in the centre is the Unicorn that is also dog friendly. The Bluebird Tea Rooms is a lovely place to dine out for lunch. They serve a full English breakfast, many options for sandwiches, afternoon tea or soup of the day.
Undeniably, there are many things to see and do in Great Malvern to suit most tastes. It is a leisurely town with beautiful things to see all around.
Recommended by Richard from RJOnTour
Ludlow, Shropshire
Ludlow is well connected to Birmingham by train, with a change needed in Shrewsbury. Depending on connections, it takes around an hour and 45 minutes to get to Ludlow from Birmingham New Street station. By car, it will take around the same amount of time to drive, or less if the traffic is good.
Ludlow is a pretty market town, close to the border with Wales. The English poet John Betjeman famously described Ludlow as “the loveliest town in England with its well preserved half-timbered buildings everywhere you look. There are plenty of things to do in Ludlow, from visiting Ludlow Castle to climbing the bell tower of St Laurence’s Church.
Alternatively, you can wander the streets and explore the market – Ludlow is well known for the excellent fresh produce in the area. A walk to the riverside is also recommended, where you can have a paddle in the water on a warm day and grab some food from the delicious CSONS café, which is housed in the old mill building.
If you come to Ludlow by car, you also have the chance to explore the area outside of the town, in particular, the impressive Stokesay Castle, about 15 minutes drive from Ludlow. Stokesay isn’t a castle, it is a fortified 13th-century manor house, but it is fascinating. Ludlow is also well-located for exploring the Shropshire Hills, so bring your walking boots and enjoy!
Recommended by Claire from Tales of a Backpacker
London
London is a great day trip from Birmingham, and you can arrive quickly by train in just 2 hours. London is the largest city in the UK and is known for many historical sights like Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, to name a few. You can spend the perfect day visiting these leading tourist attractions in Central London, especially your first time visiting England’s capital.
For lunch, stop at Dishoom, which is a trendy Indian restaurant with a modern spin. After lunch, you can stop for a coffee in one of the best independent coffee shops like Grind or Monocle.
London also boasts some of the most beautiful neighbourhoods, including Notting Hill, Hampstead, Richmond, and Greenwich. Here you can find some gorgeous homes and picturesque streets. There are also surprisingly many excellent green outdoor spaces in London. Some of them include Regent’s Park and Hyde Park.
Why not end your day trip from Birmingham with a visit to the Sky Garden for a free view of the city with a nice cocktail in hand? Remember to book your ticket in advance.
Tip: buying the London Pass will get you into many of the attractions for a lower price.
Recommended by Jackie from Jou Jou Travels
Alton Towers Theme Park
If you’re looking for one of the best day trips from Birmingham, then why not head to one of the best theme parks in Europe, Alton Towers. This theme park is the biggest in the UK and is excellent for families and thrill-seekers alike. Better still, it is only a 35 mile or so drive from Birmingham, making it even easier if you’ve got your family with you.
Alton Towers is unique in that it has stunning, huge grounds, complete with the infamous castle ruins. If you’re visiting during October, you will get to experience the annual Scarefest, where you can expect additional attractions such as scare mazes and wandering ghouls. In November, there is a bonfire night celebration where you will witness a spectacular firework display.
However, Alton Towers is fantastic all year round. Not only do you have the rides to look forward to, but beautiful woodlands and natural lakes.
Each park area has a specific theme that has at least one world-class thrill ride that will satisfy any adrenaline junkie. Of course, one of the most iconic rides is the Smiler, but several others will be sure to grab your attention.
Whether you’re exploring the grounds, riding the attractions, or just enjoying a day out with your friends or family, Alton Towers is a brilliant day out.
Recommended by Kerry Hanson from VeggTravel
Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury is a small town close to Birmingham that can be reached by road or rail. The easiest way to get there is by rail, as you will arrive in the centre of the town and don’t have to worry about finding a parking spot. There are over 50 trains daily, and the journey takes approximately one hour. Luckily, tickets, if bought in advance, can cost as little as £5.
Shrewsbury is a charming town with medieval history and vibrant present located close to the Welsh border area. One of the best things to do in Shrewsbury is strolling through meanders of medieval streets looking for small independent silver workshops or small cafes.
There are plenty of things for visitors to enjoy while they explore this historic market town. Including The Castle and The Old Market Square with its impressive collection of historic buildings, including the Old Market Hall converted to a tremendous small cinema. In addition, the Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery is home to a fantastic collection of paintings by local artist Alfred Munnings and objects from the prehistoric era, such as flint implements. Also, don’t forget to take a trip around one of Shrewsbury’s many pubs, which serve their very own locally brewed ales and beers. You can even pop into the brewery or go to the oldest pub in Shrewsbury – the Golden Cross, which has been licensed since 1428!
Shrewsbury has an excellent choice of places to eat, whether you fancy a traditional English breakfast or delicious pizza. Numerous events take place in Shrewsbury throughout the year. Some of these festivals include The Shrewsbury Flower Show, Shrewsbury Folk Festival and Food Festival, so why not coincide your day trip from Birmingham with one of these incredible festivals?
Recommended by Ania of The Travelling Twins
Leeds
Leeds is known for its history – the contrast between modern and old can be seen in buildings in the heart of the city – its rich culture in music and sports and its wide range of shopping options. Leeds city centre is small but offers many things to do in a day.
Travelling from Birmingham to Leeds is easy too. Both driving and the train take approximately 2 hours.
For those who love history and culture, start your day by visiting Leeds City Museum near Millennium Square to learn about the city’s history, then head to Leeds Art Gallery that holds an impressive collection of modern and contemporary British art. But, of course, you can’t also miss the Royal Armouries Museum to discover about the United Kingdom’s national arms.
If you love shopping, how many shopping options you can find in the city will surprise you. The most famous shopping centre is Leeds Trinity, with everyone’s favourite brands, and a food court – Trinity Kitchen – with stalls serving delicious street food. The Corn Exchange is your perfect choice if you love shopping from independent local shops and looking for something unique. Last but not least, in Victoria Leeds and Victoria Quarter you will find high-end and luxury brands.
When eating out in Leeds, your options are endless – from amazing cafes and brunch places to fine dining. Call Lane is one of the best places to have breakfast or brunch. They have the best breakfast burritos and delicious freshly made cakes that regularly change.
In addition to these main activities, there are lovely parks such as Roundhay Park – one of the biggest city parks in Europe – and walks across the city. One of the most accessible walks from the city centre is the Leeds Liverpool canal. It’s a relaxing and picturesque walk to escape the buzz of the city.
Recommended by Cristina from My Little World of Travelling
Stonehenge
Stonehenge is one of the most iconic sights in England, and you can easily visit it on a day trip from Birmingham. The drive from Birmingham to Stonehenge takes a little over two hours, and you’ll be able to enjoy some beautiful countryside on your way there.
Stonehenge is a circle of standing stones erected in prehistoric times on Salisbury Plain. The site was created around 2500 BC, and it’s believed that Stonehenge served as an astronomical calendar for observing day spans and seasons. The mystery surrounding the monument’s existence has drawn travellers to the site for ages, making it one of England’s most popular tourist attractions.
Stonehenge has a visitor’s centre with interactive exhibits about how this mysterious monument was created. It also details a bit about what life was like during the years surrounding its construction. Make sure to check out the exhibition before going out to see the stones – you’ll appreciate the site more if you’re familiar with its history!
Walk the trail or take the shuttle bus that will take you directly to the famed Stone Circle. Here, take your time to admire the impressive stone circle and reflect on what you learned about in the exhibition. You can also enjoy a picnic lunch with a view of the stones!
If you’re driving from Birmingham to Stonehenge, the journey will take you about 2-2.5 hours, with beautiful scenery along the way. If you don’t have a car, you can take the train from Birmingham to Salisbury, then hop on the Stonehenge Tour Bus to take you to the visitor centre.
Recommended by Sydney from A World in Reach
Coventry
One of the best day trips from Birmingham is to Coventary and no day trip to Coventry is complete without visiting the magnificent Cathedral ruins, which are situated next to Basil Spence’s Modernist Cathedral. Marvel at the stained-glass windows and giant tapestry as you learn more about the history of Coventry and its rebirth as a city of peace and reconciliation. If you feel energetic, you could climb the Coventry Cathedral tower for stunning views across the city.
Love or loathe the Coventry ring road; you can learn more about its inception and construction at the Transport Museum. In front of the museum, the impressive Whittle Arch dominates the skyline to commemorate Coventry born Sir Frank Whittle, who invented the turbojet engine. Inside the museum, you will find an incredible and eclectic mix of cars, motorcycles, pushbikes, commercial vehicles, buses, and a vast archive of historical knick-knacks which celebrate Coventry’s role in Transport heritage. Did you even know that Coventry was the birthplace of the bicycle?
Have you heard of two-tone? The Specials are a British band formed in Coventry in 1977. They created two-tone, which is a fusion of ska and punk rock. You can learn more about this at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum which also features other local, national, and international art exhibitions. Here, you will find plenty of immersive experiences to keep the kids entertained.
If you love indie shops and creative spaces, Fargo village is the place to go. It’s brimming with alternative businesses, exciting boutiques, skilled artisans, retro toys, and independent food & drink outlets. There are also regular exhibitions and themed events, such as gin festivals, chocolate festivals, dog festivals, etc.
Dhillon’s Spire Bar is nestled in Christchurch, one of Coventry’s landmark skyline spires. They provide an assortment of crafted ales and crazily named cocktails. Are you seeking a different kind of evening entertainment? Check out the Belgrade Theatre or our live music venue, the Coventry Empire, for up and coming bands and household names, such as Ed Sheeran, Tom Grennan, The Vaccines, and Roger Taylor.
From May 2021 to May 2022, Coventry is the UK’s City of Culture. So, there are loads of things to see and do! Find out what’s on and book events via their website, or you can walk into the City of Culture shop on brightly coloured Herford Street.
Recommended by Regan Thacker from Dusky Blue Skies
Bristol
Bristol is one of the best cities in the UK, and it’s a great day trip from Birmingham. It’s easy to get to from Birmingham – you’ll need to drive for an hour and a half down the M5, or it’s an hour and a half train. Regular trains connect the two cities.
Bristol is located in South West England, close to the border with Wales. It’s the largest city in the region and has lots to offer any traveller. You could easily spend a weekend in Bristol; there’s so much to do here. However, if you’re only there for a day trip, there are a few things that you must tick off!
First, you could visit the SS Great Britain, one of the country’s most exciting and historic boats. It was engineered by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and was a revolutionary boat when it was built. The Clifton Suspension Bridge was also constructed by Brunel and is well worth a walk over – the scenery is fantastic. So take a stroll around Clifton while you’re here!
You can also check out the many other neighbourhoods of Bristol, especially Stokes Croft and Southville, which are both famous for their street art (Bristol is the home of Banksy).
There are lots of restaurants to dine at in all of these Bristol neighbourhoods. Some favourites are; The Burger Joint in Southville, Chilli Daddies in the city centre, and Racks in Clifton.
Recommended by Claire from Claire’s Footsteps
Oxford
Oxford is a beautiful city and is pone of the best day trips from Birmingham. It is only a 1 hour and 10-minute train journey or a 1 hour-46 minute drive from Birmingham. Driving may be the best option if you plan on travelling with multiple others.
Oxford is most commonly known for being the home of the very famous University of Oxford. However, it is also the location where many of the Harry Potter Scenes were filmed, so if you’re someone that’s into Harry Potter, it’s worth a visit.
One example is the Bodleian Library which is where we see Harry Potter searching the library under his invisibility cloak in the Philosopher’s Stone. There are many more Harry Potter related examples, but this is just one. If you are more interested in history and Harry Potter isn’t your thing, there’s plenty more to see, such as the Ashmolean Museum, a free museum and contains one of the world’s finest art and archaeology collections and spans almost 2000 years!
For food in Oxford, there are plenty of options to choose from, but one of my favourites is The Coconut Tree, a Sri Lankan restaurant. It has quite a laid back atmosphere, and the food comes almost like tapas, so if you are going with two or more people, you can select a few dishes and share them.
Recommended by Alice from Adventures of Alice
Stratford Upon Avon
Shakespeare’s birthplace is only an hour drive or a 50-minute train ride away from the city centre, which means it is an excellent choice for a Birmingham day trip.
The market town is a delight to walk around and is home to the impressive Royal Shakespeare Theatre, which puts on excellent live performances. You can watch examples of these on YouTube to see what it is like before you go.
Although the literary legend attracts numerous tourists a year, there is a lot to do in the market town without mentioning his name. Head towards the canal basin, relax and have a picnic or go on a ghost tour to discover the haunted places of Stratford. We have not done this for a few years, but it is a unique experience and does not break the bank.
Manchester
Less than 2 hours by car and only 1 hour- 30-minutes by train, you will arrive in the unofficial capital of the north – Manchester. Manchester is a city that is known for its music, football mania and friendly locals.
An excellent place to start is the Northern Quarter, where you can admire the street art before getting coffee or brunch in one of the independent cafes. We recommend Ezra and Gil – the coffee is great. Nearby, you can wander up and explore the unique shops in Afflecks Palace. Don’t forget to take a picture with the ‘On the sixth day, God created Manchester sign’.
Afterwards, you can explore some of the many free museums in Manchester, such as the Science and Industry Museum and the People’s History Museum. It would be best if you also made time to visit the incredible John Rylands library, which feels like you’re walking in a Harry Potter Movie. Afterwards, stroll around Castlefield Canals and visit the Roman ruins or take a tour of Old Trafford, the Etihad or visit the National Football Museum if you’re a football fan.
For food, hit up Noi Quattro for some delicious pizza, or take your pick for food at Mackie Mayor’s independent stalls. Before enjoying the Manchester bars in the quarter – there are plenty – The Terrace, Cottonopolis, and Crazy Pedros are all popular and fun.
Are you looking for more Manchester inspiration? Please read Best Parks in Manchester and 24 Hours in Manchester.
Warwick Castle
Warwick Castle has been open since 1978 and is where Rachel regularly visited as a child on her summer holidays. William the Conqueror built the impressive castle in 1068, and today you can step back in time to have a fantastic day out.
It is easily one of the best day trips from Birmingham because there are many things to see and do, from walking around the beautiful 64 acres grounds to tackling the Horrible Histories Maze. Try to spot the Peacocks or watch the Birds of Prey show – there is so much to see and do that you will want to return time and time again.
Tip: book your tickets online for a lower price and guaranteed entry,
Peak District
Why not visit the oldest national park in England on your day trip from Birmingham? The Peak District offers varied landscapes over 555 square miles and embodies many different counties. If you are visiting from Birmingham, we recommend checking out the Staffordshire area of the Southern Peaks.
Here, you can go on beautiful hikes, such as Lud’s Church, The Roaches, Three Shires Head and Thor’s Cave. Or you can visit the beautiful town of Buxton and explore the gardens, the oval and the independent cafes. The journey will take about one hour-40-minutes by car.
Arguably, the closest popular Peak District attraction to Birmingham is Ilam Park and Dovedale Stepping Stones – you can be there in about 1 hour-20 minute and have a fantastic day out in nature.
Are you interested in the Peak District? Then, please read our guide to the Best Walks in the Peak District.
Liverpool
In only 1 hour 40-minutes by train or 2 hours by car, you can arrive in Liverpool to begin your excellent day trip from Birmingham. Luckily there are many free and exciting things to do in Liverpool, such as visit the world-class museums: The Tate, The Museum of Liverpool and the Maritime Museum.
Also, you can feel the city’s musical past as you walk around and can visit some exciting Beatles attractions, such as Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields, and the Cavern Club. The Cavern district is fascinating to walk around, with live music soaring from several different bars.
A unique activity is to cross the Mersey on the Ferry (to sing the song, of course), and then stop for some food on Bold Street or Lark Lane in the independent shops if you fancy venturing out the city centre.
You might also be interested in A Weekend in Liverpool Itinerary.
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Looking for more? Here is a list of 5 other exciting Birmingham day trips:
- Ironbridge and the Ironbridge Gorge – a UNESCO World Heritage Site is only a 35-minute train or a 40-minute car journey.
- Cadbury World – only 20-minutes by car or train to Bournville.
- Black Country Living Museum – an hour drive.
- Royal Leamington Spa – 45-minute drive or a 30-minute direct train journey.
- Leicester National Space Centre – less than an hour drive.
There you have it; the 14 best day trips from Birmingham in the West Midlands and a few other ideas if you still want more. Although, if you are hanging around the city, then be sure to check out our other Birmingham guides below:
Free Things to do in Birmingham
Photo Credits: from Contributors, averagelives.com and unsplash
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