This is a lovely and massive green open space for everyone to enjoy. First opened in 1874, it now spans 170 acres and includes Hatherton lake, the country park and the extension. The park includes gardens, green spaces, play areas, and sports facilities like cricket and football pitches, bowling greens and more. There’s also a wwide range of flora and wildlife. It has over 10,000 different species of trees and shrubs. Walsall is only a short distance away from Birmingham. (Photo - Kelly Marie Smith - stock.adobe.)placeholder image
This is a lovely and massive green open space for everyone to enjoy. First opened in 1874, it now spans 170 acres and includes Hatherton lake, the country park and the extension. The park includes gardens, green spaces, play areas, and sports facilities like cricket and football pitches, bowling greens and more. There’s also a wwide range of flora and wildlife. It has over 10,000 different species of trees and shrubs. Walsall is only a short distance away from Birmingham. (Photo - Kelly Marie Smith - stock.adobe.) | Kelly Marie Smith - stock.adobe.

Birmingham’s underrated day trips 2025: The 21 best towns, villages, castles and more to explore this year

Emma Walker
By Emma Walker

Editor

Published 3rd Feb 2025, 12:21 GMT
Updated 3rd Feb 2025, 14:48 GMT

Discover the 21 best day trip destinations from Birmingham in 2025, from charming towns to historic castles, all accessible by a short ride.

If you don't fancy jetting off to foreign shores and instead stay near home - there are several amazing places near Birmingham to explore.

These destinations, including historic villages, castles, hills and more will keep you on your toes. Whether you’re looking for a walking holiday or an activity based trip - there are several destinations close to Birmingham. Some take less than an hour to reach.

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With Birmingham being well-connected to the rest of the West Midlands and beyond - the options are limitless. From walking in Robin Hood’s footsteps to the closest beach resort or incredible Stuart castles and more - a short car, bus or train ride can get you anywhere for an amazing day trip with your friends and family.

Have we missed any from our list? Get in touch at [email protected]

If you have been unable to decide where to head off to, here are 21 amazing towns, villages, castles and more you can visit in 2025:

Packwood House is a 16th-century Tudor house that was restored at the beginning of the 20th century by Graham Baron Ash, son of a wealthy industrialist. It has a garden, cafe, and a lot more. It’s great for spending a day out and is located on the Solihull border near Lapworth. (Photo - Wikimedia Commons/Tony Hisgett)

17. Packwood House, Solihull - around 14 miles

Packwood House is a 16th-century Tudor house that was restored at the beginning of the 20th century by Graham Baron Ash, son of a wealthy industrialist. It has a garden, cafe, and a lot more. It’s great for spending a day out and is located on the Solihull border near Lapworth. (Photo - Wikimedia Commons/Tony Hisgett) | Wikimedia Commons/Tony Hisgett

Perched on a hill overlooking the picturesque town of Ludlow in Shropshire, this castle’s origins dates back to the 11th century. Built by the Norman lord, Roger de Lacy, over the centuries, it served as a royal palace, a military stronghold, and a center of political power, playing a pivotal role in shaping the course of English history. It’s less than two hours drive from Birmingham. (Photo - Colin & Linda McKie - stock.adobe.com)

18. Ludlow Castle, Shropshire - around 42 miles

Perched on a hill overlooking the picturesque town of Ludlow in Shropshire, this castle’s origins dates back to the 11th century. Built by the Norman lord, Roger de Lacy, over the centuries, it served as a royal palace, a military stronghold, and a center of political power, playing a pivotal role in shaping the course of English history. It’s less than two hours drive from Birmingham. (Photo - Colin & Linda McKie - stock.adobe.com) | Colin & Linda McKie - stock.adobe.com

Known as Weston, this Somerset seaside resort has beaches, hills, a zoo and a waterpark, palace, caves, and more - giving families several options to enjoy. It’s further out from Birmingham with travel of a little more than two hours but if you want to avoid the extreme heat of Europe and still hit the beach - this is the closest one to Birmingham. (Photo - cpphotoimages - stock.adobe.com)

19. Weston-super-Mare - around 113 miles

Known as Weston, this Somerset seaside resort has beaches, hills, a zoo and a waterpark, palace, caves, and more - giving families several options to enjoy. It’s further out from Birmingham with travel of a little more than two hours but if you want to avoid the extreme heat of Europe and still hit the beach - this is the closest one to Birmingham. (Photo - cpphotoimages - stock.adobe.com) | cpphotoimages - stock.adobe.com

This interesting place of beauty is not to be missed. The limestone gorge in the Mendip Hills, near the village of Cheddar, is the site of the Cheddar show caves, where Britain’s oldest complete human skeleton, Cheddar Man, estimated to be 9,000 years old, was found in 1903. It is less than two hours from Birmingham by car. (Photo - AdobeStock)

20. Cheddar Gorge, Somerset - around 120 miles

This interesting place of beauty is not to be missed. The limestone gorge in the Mendip Hills, near the village of Cheddar, is the site of the Cheddar show caves, where Britain’s oldest complete human skeleton, Cheddar Man, estimated to be 9,000 years old, was found in 1903. It is less than two hours from Birmingham by car. (Photo - AdobeStock) | AdobeStock

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