{"id":3765,"date":"2022-03-18T11:50:44","date_gmt":"2022-03-18T11:50:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sixt.co.uk\/magazine\/?p=3765"},"modified":"2026-03-17T15:14:58","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T15:14:58","slug":"day-trips-birmingham","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sixt.co.uk\/magazine\/travel\/day-trips-birmingham\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Day Trips from Birmingham"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Birmingham is one of the largest cities in England, combining modern malls and entertainment venues with Victorian architecture. You can visit museums, hang out in factories turned into creative spaces, or go punting along the canals. At night, some of the trendiest cocktail bars in the UK beckon. However, this is just the start of an adventure in the English Midlands \u2013 there’s lots more to explore by taking day trips from Birmingham.\u00a0Start you car hire from any station in Birmingham branch<\/a> or directly at the airport<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stratford-upon-Avon <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Distance from Birmingham: 40 miles<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travel time from Birmingham: About 55 minutes <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suggested route: Take the M6 travelling south <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Great for: Shakespeare enthusiasts \/ General tourists<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Possibly the UK’s most illustrious literary attractions, Stratford-upon-Avon is a medieval town, famous as the birthplace of William Shakespeare. You can wander through over 800 years of history, over cobbled streets, and past original Tudor houses. Stop for refreshment at one of the many historical pubs in the town. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here you can visit the house where Shakespeare was born, and the still working Tudor farm that used to belong to his mother. Children can interact with the farm animals, and the town is also home to the Royal Shakespeare Company. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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SIXT\u2019s top tip<\/strong>: Just outside Stratford-upon-Avon is the village of Shottery, where you can visit Anne Hathaway’s (the wife of Shakespeare – not the actress!) thatched cottage is still preserved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Black Country <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Distance from Birmingham: 9.5 miles <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travel time from Birmingham: Around 40 minutes <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suggested route: Go via the A457 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Great for: All tourists <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explore England’s Black Country to see the vestiges of the 18th-century British coal and iron mining industry. The best place for this is the Black Country Living Museum in the nearby town of Dudley. The museum complex contains over 50 historical shops and residences from the era. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also visit exhibitions showcasing how locks, cast iron wares, and glass were worked in the factories. You can watch historical re-enactments by Black Country Museum actors and even explore an old underground mine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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SIXT\u2019s top tip<\/strong>: Instead of walking around the exhibition complex, you can catch the tram that takes you to all the sites. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Peak District <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Distance from Birmingham: 83 miles <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travel time from Birmingham: About 1 hour 35 minutes <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suggested route: Get onto the M1 northwards<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Great for: Nature lovers \/ General tourists <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Peak District is one of the most visited natural areas in the UK. It has one green hill after another, with all manner of interesting little villages tucked away as you drive along the route. You can take car day trips or bring bikes with you and go cycling once you’re there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two of the prettiest villages to see in the Peak District are Edensor and Ashford-in-the-Water. But you’ll find plenty more things as you’re driving around this sprawling area of natural beauty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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SIXT\u2019s top tip<\/strong>: Start your exploration at the town of Bakewell. If you haven’t tasted one yet, have a slice of the famous Bakewell tart while you’re there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Historic Worcester <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Distance from Birmingham: 30 miles <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travel time from Birmingham: Just under 40 minutes <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suggested route: Take the B4125, then the M5 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Great for: All tourists \/ History buffs<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Worcester is more than just the birthplace of the famous brown sauce. It’s a beautifully preserves historic city set among hilly landscapes, with many hidden attractions. The most prominent landmark in the city is Worcester Cathedral, with its grand tower and spires set in a forest. It’s the Royal burial site of King John. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is also a history of arts and crafts to experience here. Make sure to visit the ceramic museum, containing some fine examples of Royal Worcester porcelain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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SIXT\u2019s top tip<\/strong>: Take a leisurely stroll to the Malvern Hills, where you can sip from the spring that supplies water to the Queen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cheddar Gorge <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Distance from Birmingham: 19 miles <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travel time from Birmingham: Just over 30 minutes <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suggested route: Take the A38 directly there <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Great for: All tourists \/ Hikers <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cheddar Gorge is near the town of the same name. It offers leisurely walking trails as well as more challenging and arduous hikes. You can either walk the entire gorge trail or go straight to the main attraction on the route, the giant caves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’ll be surrounded by prehistoric history in this area. It’s where the Cheddar Man was found, which is the oldest intact human skeleton found in Britain, and over 9,000 years old. Also, keep an eye out for the feral goat herd roaming the hills. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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SIXT\u2019s top tip<\/strong>: Take a walk along the river flowing through the town, stopping off for locally made delicacies like fudge, ice cream, and, naturally, cheese. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cadbury World <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Distance from Birmingham: 5.5 miles <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travel time from Birmingham: About 20 minutes <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suggested route: Take the A421 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Great for: Chocolate-lovers \/ Families <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s a relatively short drive from Birmingham to Bournville, which is where you’ll find Cadbury World. You can learn how it’s made, and even try your hand at making some yourself. And you can eat a lot of it too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It also contains the largest Cadbury shop on earth, which doubles as a display of Cadbury’s wares down the decades. You can also visit the little caf\u00e9 for some of the best hot chocolate you could wish to taste. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

SIXT\u2019s top tip<\/strong>: Don’t miss seeing the recreation of the original Bull Street as it was in the Victorian era when Cadbury’s was founded. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Warwick Castle <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Distance from Birmingham: 28 miles <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travel time from Birmingham: Around 40 minutes <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suggested route: Travel south on the M6 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Great for: History lovers \/ All tourists <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of Britain’s most celebrated fortifications, Warwick Castle is steeped in history. It was built in 1068 by William the Conqueror, a couple of years after the battle of Hastings. It’s a study in contrasts, as you walk from its bright peacock gardens to its dark dungeons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are a plethora of artefacts from various eras of British history, which you can wander around viewing. Guided tours are also available. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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SIXT\u2019s top tip<\/strong>: If you feel like something to eat, there’s the Undercroft Restaurant on the grounds, or have a picnic alongside the River Avon that flows through. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alton Towers <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Distance from Birmingham: 48.5 miles <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travel time from Birmingham: About 1 hour 15 minutes <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suggested route: Get onto the M6 north <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Great for: Families with children <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a kids’ paradise, a huge theme park with an attached water park. It offers over 40 rides, and you can buy a day pass and try them all. Children under three get free entry. The rides are inventive and unusual \u2013 such as the Battle Galleons experience where kids get to fire replica water cannons at other “ships”. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The highlight of the park is Oblivion, a daunting ride that everyone wants to go on. All the rides have been adapted for accessibility, as have all the facilities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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SIXT\u2019s top tip<\/strong>: If you’ve booked a ticket in advance and it rains on the day, you’ll get a free return visit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leamington Spa <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Distance from Birmingham: 30 miles<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travel time from Birmingham: Just under 45 minutes <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suggested route: Take the A45 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Great for: All tourists \/ Honeymooners <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the most elegant getaway towns in England, Leamington Spa offers well-preserved Regency architecture alongside the River Leam. It’s most well-known for its spa experiences, as you’d infer, but there are plenty of other attractions too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The spa itself is in the Royal Pump Rooms and dates back to the 18th century when it attracted people from far and wide for its apparent healing and rejuvenating properties. It also houses an art gallery and a museum. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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SIXT\u2019s top tip<\/strong>: When you’re feeling nice and languid after your spa, you can relax and take in a show at the Loft Theatre, or eat a meal in its restaurant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ironbridge Gorge <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Distance from Birmingham: 37 miles<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travel time from Birmingham: Roughly 45 minutes <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suggested route: Take the M6 then the M54 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Great for: All tourists <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ironbridge Gorge is generally accepted to have been the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution in the English Midlands. The bridge itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned as the first cast-iron structure ever built. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can learn more about the industrial history of the region at the Museum of the Gorge, or visit the Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron. Both give wonderful insights into life during the early days of the Industrial Revolution. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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SIXT\u2019s top tip<\/strong>: Inside the Museum of the Gorge you can see films and photos from the Industrial Revolution, and a 30-foot-long 3D model of the town as it was in 1796. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Birmingham is one of the largest cities in England, combining modern malls and entertainment venues with Victorian architecture. You can visit museums, hang out in factories turned into creative spaces, or go punting along the canals. At night, some of the trendiest cocktail bars in the UK beckon. However, this is just the start of…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":111,"featured_media":3834,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"full-width-content","ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-3765","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-travel","8":"entry"},"yoast_head":"\nBest Day Trips from Birmingham - Sixt Car Hire Magazine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover the best day trips from Birmingham. 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