West Midlands attractions

Set among the lush, 500-acre (200-hectare) grounds of a former stately home, Alton Towers Resort is the ultimate destination for families and thrill seekers in the Midlands. Even if you’re not a fan of white-knuckle roller coasters, the theme park still has plenty to offer; there are gorgeous gardens to wander through, and if you have toddlers in tow, CBeebies Land is designed for them. Plus, there’s an indoor water park and an 18-hole crazy golf course.

Situated in the Digbeth neighborhood of Birmingham, the Custard Factory is a creative space hosting a mix of offices, cafés, shops, and restaurants. It gets its name because Bird's Custard—a classic British custard mix that’s been around since the 1800s—was once produced here.

Located in the heart of Birmingham’s city center, the Roundhouse is an eye-catching curved Grade II–listed building that was originally built as stables and storage space for the canal network. It’s now a launch point for a variety of tours that explore the canal area, both on and off the water: stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, cycling, and walking tours. It’s also home to interesting start-ups.

Spectacular from the outside and a premier music venue on the inside, Birmingham Town Hall is a Grade I–listed building in the city center. This historic building was inspired by Roman temples and over the years has hosted musical greats, including Nina Simone and The Beatles. Today, you can see concerts and special events throughout the year.

Part of the National Trust, the Birmingham Back to Backs are a collection of 19th-century working people’s houses packed snugly around a courtyard—the last surviving examples of their kind. The houses are designed to feel as if the residents are still living there, with fires smoldering in grates, and other domestic touches evoking bygone times.

One of the UK’s most historically significant botanical gardens, this Birmingham destination has remained intact for nearly 100 years. Spanning 15 acres (6 hectares) and home to more than 10,000 plants spread across a range of micro-climates, the Grade II*-listed landmark is one of the city’s loveliest green spaces, ideal for family outings and contemplative solo walks alike.

Towering over Broadgate Square in the heart of Coventry, Self Sacrifice—known more commonly as the Lady Godiva Statue—depicts Lady Godiva on horseback. According to legend, this Anglo-Saxon noblewoman rode naked through the streets of Coventry to persuade her husband, the Earl of Mercia, to reduce heavy taxes on the townsfolk.

Among Coventry's best-known landmarks, Coventry Cathedral is a fine mix of old and new architecture. While much of the original medieval cathedral was destroyed by Nazi bombs during World War II, parts of it remain, along with a New Cathedral that operates as a house of worship to this day.

Encompassing a zoo with 100 animals and a theme park, Drayton Manor Park is the ultimate family day out. Preschoolers go wild for the Thomas the Tank Engine-themed Thomas Land, while older children and adults can enjoy the exhilarating rides and roller coasters, from the Apocalypse drop tower to the swinging Bounty pirate ship.

With more than 1,000 machines from 170 manufacturers, the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham has the world’s largest collection of British motorcycles. Visitors can gain insight into British engineering, learn about the vehicle’s history, and see motorcycles from classic models to 21st-century superbikes up close.

Lively with shops, restaurants, and attractions, Birmingham’s Brindleyplace development offers plenty of ways to spend a day or night out. Situated in a historic warehouse district that overlooks the city’s canal network, it attracts some 4 million visitors each year, making it one of the city’s most popular areas.

Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre is a performing arts venue and charitable trust that produces a range of musical theater, drama, and community workshops. Much of Coventry was destroyed during World War II, and the theatre was built in the 1950s, during the city’s reconstruction. It’s a Grade II Listed Building, so it’s worth passing even if you can’t catch a show.

Also known as the Cathedral Church of St. Philip, the Birmingham Cathedral is the oldest building in central Birmingham still used for its original purpose. The seat of the Bishop of Birmingham, the cathedral (the third-smallest in the country) was built in the Italianate style 300 years ago. Today, its architecture, stained-glass windows, and expansive grounds are all notable features.

One of Birmingham’s most popular markets—and a must if you’re a shopper who loves hunting for bargains—is the Birmingham Rag Market, right in the city center. Also known as the Bull Ring Rag Market or St. Martin’s Rag Market, the vast indoor space houses some 350 vendors, and specializes in clothing, fabrics, homewares, and other items.

Originally built for a Welsh prince in the 13th century, Powis Castle is now one of Britain’s finest stately homes. Behind the red sandstone façade, which is surrounded by spectacular Baroque gardens and a deer park, visitors can explore elaborately decorated 17th century dining halls and state rooms, before admiring the collection of Indian artefacts in the Clive Museum.

In the heart of Birmingham, just next to the sprawling International Convention Centre, Centenary Square is a key central meeting point and a popular spot among visitors and residents alike. Highlights include the Hall of Memory memorial and the massive Library of Birmingham, as well as a seasonal ice rink.

Tackle all things rugby in the town where the sport began, at the World Rugby Hall of Fame. Via state-of-the-art interactive exhibits featuring memorabilia and more, listen to tales of rugby legends, and learn about the history of this humble international game.

St. Chad’s Cathedral in Birmingham is famed for being one of the first Catholic cathedrals to be erected in the UK, dating all the way back to 1841. Visitors flock here to see its impressive neo-Gothic architecture, in particular its beautiful ceiling and stained glass windows.

While much of Coventry was destroyed by Nazi bombings in World War II, historic Spon Street remains as a reminder of the city’s centuries of history. Here you’ll find a concentration of timber-framed medieval and Tudor buildings that house a variety of independent shops, restaurants, pubs, historic workshops, and niche museums.

A Grade II–listed church in Birmingham, St. Martin in the Bull Ring is known for its Gothic Victorian architecture and its magnificent stained glass windows, including a standout piece by William Morris from 1875, which survived WWII bombings. The church serves as a peaceful retreat to come for worship, as well as a standout architectural gem in the city center.

Sandwiched between some of Birmingham’s most impressive buildings, including the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and the Birmingham Town Hall, Chamberlain Square is among the city's main public plazas. It's a good place to linger and people-watch, though many people just zip through quickly, stopping only to take a photo of the Gothic-style Chamberlain Memorial.

Birmingham’s Gun Quarter was once a global hub for gun manufacturing, producing sporting and military firearms as far back as the early 17th century. Though its industrial roots have now faded, the area still attracts history enthusiasts who come to learn about its gun-making origins. A handful of gun-related shops are also still open—mostly producing air guns—such as Westley Richards.

Birmingham’s West Midlands Police Museum provides an educational and entertaining insight into local policing history through interactive exhibits. Dress up in police uniforms, enter a forensics lab, and see what life was like for inmates in the Victorian-era cell block, operational until 2016. Fans of Peaky Blinders will especially enjoy seeing where the characters may have ended up.

One of the few old buildings in central Coventry to have survived the Nazi air raids of 1940, St. Mary’s Guildhall is a 14th-century heritage-listed building that contains some important artifacts. Visitors can admire the stained-glass windows, vaulted ceilings, 16th-century Coventry Tapestry, 19th-century Lady Godiva statue, and a collection of historic royal portraits.

Spread out over 63 acres (25 hectares), Handsworth Park is a popular place for Birmingham residents and visitors looking to get out in nature without having to leave town. Along with its grassy expanses, flower beds, and trees, the park has a network of walking paths and two play areas for kids.

This sprawling park is home to gardens, lakeside paths, playgrounds, and bird-watching sites, and is especially popular for kid-friendly activities, hosted year-round, along with markets and other seasonal events. The 12th-century Coombe Abbey at the heart of the park is now a 5-star hotel.

Cars, bikes, and motorcycles are the stars at the Coventry Transport Museum, a central Coventry institution that houses an enormous collection of vintage vehicles. While the museum attracts visitors of all ages, it’s especially engaging for younger guests, with plenty of educational and interactive exhibits for children.

Located at the heart of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, St. Paul’s Square is famed for being one of the city’s very last remaining Georgian squares. Taking its name from the small church that sits as its center, visitors come here to relax on its benches, check out the architecture, or visit nearby restaurants and cafés.

One of central Birmingham’s most notable historic buildings, the Baskerville Building, was constructed nearly 100 years ago. Named for John Baskerville—the 18th-century printer and type designer whose house stood on site—the art deco Baskerville House is now a Grade II-listed architectural icon. With pride of place right on the central Centenary Square, it’s also steps from other top attractions.

In the heart of Centenary Square, the Hall of Memory is a stately war memorial devoted to the thousands of Birmingham residents who died in World War I. This Portland stone structure is notable for its art deco architecture and features four bronze statues by celebrated artist Albert Toft.