11 Best Day Trips From Birmingham For Families [2026]

WONDERING WHAT ARE THE BEST DAY TRIPS FROM BIRMINGHAM BY TRAIN, CAR AND COACH?

Being a Birmingham local means I know first-hand how this vibrant metropolitan area in the West Midlands has so much to offer families looking for great day trip destinations. 

As an experienced travel blogger and a parent myself, I have explored countless top family-friendly attractions and activities within an hour or two drive from Birmingham.

From adventures in nature and history, to interactive museums and parks, there are fantastic options across the region that allow kids and adults alike to make memories and have fun without traveling too far from home.

Below are my best picks for day trips and weekend trips from Birmingham, based on personal experience, recommendations from my friends and family, and online reviews.

1. Warwick Castle, Warwick

One of my personal favourite picks is Warwick Castle, just under an hour’s drive from Birmingham in the historic town of Warwick. 

Warwick Castle brings history alive through daily jousting tournaments, battle scene recreations and wax sculpture displays capturing key moments from its 1,100 year past. 

Towering on a sandstone cliff above the River Avon, this remarkably well-preserved medieval stronghold lets visitors witness archers firing arrows from ramparts, kings & queens wandering ancient halls and ride by Dragon Slayer boat underneath the iconic portcullis. 

With an extensive green where families picnic beside cascading fountains, adventure playground, rose garden and peacock roaming lush grounds, it enthralls kids for hours while stunning parents with its grandeur and magic.

Address: Warwick Castle, Warwick CV34 4QU
Opening Times: Daily from 10am
Admission Price: From £24.99. Book your tickets HERE
Getting There: 50 minute direct train from Birmingham New Street or a 40 minute drive

► Insider Tip: On Sundays, Warwick Castle has special ‘Time Tower’ shows bringing different historical eras to life in fun interactive ways for families.

2. Alton Towers, Staffordshire

Home to some of the UK’s biggest and best rollercoasters, Alton Towers is a thrilling day out for the whole family.

Get your adrenaline pumping on record-breaking rollercoasters like the mind-boggling Smiler coaster with 14 loop inversions. And little ones just as eagerly line up for gentler rides like the vintage carousel, Noddy train and Octonauts rollercoaster made especially for tiny tots. 

With shows, waterplay areas and 9 themed lands – including CBeebies Land and magical forests – over 100 family rides and attractions means every age finds delight at this theme park.

There’s a reason Alton Towers ranks the UK’s number 1 theme park, so make sure you grab your tickets well in advance, and get 33% off when you book with the following link:

Address: Alton, Staffordshire, ST10 4DB
Opening Times: Open daily from 10am, closing times vary
Admission Price: From £34 per person. Get 33% discount when you book your tickets online HERE.
Getting There: 50 minute drive from Birmingham

You can also read my guide on how to get to Alton Towers from Birmingham here:

3. Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire

Step into William Shakespeare’s world wandering the picture-postcard Tudor streets that inspired his finest works.

Tour his impressive 16th-century childhood home and the cottage of his wife Anne Hathaway, imagining the village life that shaped the legendary playwright before seeing a performance at the stunning Royal Shakespeare Theatre. 

Away from the homages, families love punt tours drifting down the River Avon, picnicking in the riverside gardens while feeding swans and ducks, and browsing the boutique toy shops and cafes dotted through this historic town.

✳️ Get Your Shakespeare’s England Explorer Pass to Save More Money! 

The Shakespeare’s England Explorer Pass gives you free access to 15 of the top things to do in Warwickshire, including Warwick Castle, Kenilworth Castle and others like the Butterfly Farm, Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, and more!

Passes start from £46 for 1 Day Pass, with the choice of 1, 2 or 3-Day Passes. Visiting just 2-3 locations will save you more than an individual ticket!

→ Get Your Shakespeare’s England Pass HERE ←

One of the highlights of Stratford for kids – and a personal favourite of mine – is the Butterfly Farm, an absolute must for families. Here, kids lose themselves in awe and excitement in the warm, tropical jungle environment packed with the most beautiful and colorful butterflies of all shapes and sizes.

Address: Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37
Opening Times: Attractions open daily
Admission Price: Free to walk around, individual attraction prices apply. Book a walking tour here.
Getting There: 45 minute direct train or 1 hour drive from Birmingham

→ Related post: 18 Top Things to Do in Coventry with Kids

4. The Cotswolds

Things slow down meandering through the Cotswolds’ iconic, photogenic villages where cottages glow in warm honey-coloured stone and sheep lazily graze verdant pastures.

Fuel up at bustling farmer’s markets, old timbered pubs, and artisan bakeries before rambling down woodland trails past peaceful ponds or following the River Windrush’s curving course. 

Don’t miss bleating competitions at Cotswold Farm Park run by TV’s Adam Henson and marvel over Bekonscot Model Village’s tiny world in intricate miniature – it never fails to enchant little eyes!

✨ Our Recommended Cotswolds Tours & Excursions

Below are our favourite guided tours of the Cotswolds that we recommend for making the most of the Cotswolds with peace of mind:

✳️ Small group guided tour of the Cotswolds from London
✳️ Small group, full-day tour of famous and hidden villages in the Cotswolds from Oxford
✳️ Day tour of the Cotswolds from Stratford-upon-Avon or Moreton-in-Marsh
✳️ We also recommend this customised, private full-day Cotswolds tour led by a local for full control over your itinerary and route.

Plan your visit with our detailed, 3-day Cotswolds itinerary here, download some inspiring Cotswolds maps (free downloadable PDFs), and be sure to drop by one of these 16 top Cotswolds gastropubs.

Location: The Cotswolds, Gloucestershire
Opening Times: Attractions open daily
Admission Price: Free to visit villages and countryside, admission fees apply for attractions
Getting There: 1 – 1.5 hour drive from Birmingham

Looking for Cotswolds accommodation?

✳️ For First Timers: The Porch House, Stow (Fabulous 8.6) Sleep in history at England’s oldest inn, with cosy rooms and a fabulous pub.
✳️ For a Romantic Escape: Lords of the Manor, Upper Slaughter (Exceptional 9.5) Stunning country house set in 8 acres of grounds.

Unsure where to stay in the Cotswolds? Our 8 Best Hotels in the Cotswolds [& Strategic Maps Guide] has got your covered!

Related post: Driving in the Cotswolds: Essential Tips + Best Routes

5. Twycross Zoo & Gruffalo Discovery Land, Atherstone

For close encounters with some of the world’s most awe-inspiring yet vulnerable creatures, Twycross Zoo’s conservation efforts span four decades.

Walking trails transport families from snow leopard mountain habitats to wetlands filled with playful penguins, exploring equatorial environments under canopy domes as endangered primates like the chuckling gibbons swing through treetops. 

Special events like hands-on Animal Antics Days let kids get up close with snakes, frogs and bugs for memorable days bonding over bushbabies and lemurs.

Better still, Twycross Zoo ranks among the 20 Top Zoos and Safari Parks in the UK.

→ Book Your Twycross Zoo Tickets HERE ←

>> Pay for a day and visit FREE for a whole year! <<

As well as being home to the UK’s only baby endangered bonobo, on-site is the popular Gruffalo Discovery Land which is perfect for toddlers and young children.

Address: Burton Road, Alrewas, Atherstone CV9 3PX
Opening Times: Open daily from 10am
Admission Price: From £21 per person. Book your tickets HERE
Getting There: 1 hour drive from Birmingham

6. The Peak District

On the eastern edge of Staffordshire, outdoor adventures await traversing through valleys blanketed in purple heather, emerald forests perfect for bike rides and hills punctuated with cosy stone villages where afternoon tea is a must.

Descend into fascinating caverns glittering with minerals, meet the lively residents at outdoor aviary parks, or ride rollercoasters careering down quarry mountains at adventure playgrounds carved out of old industrial mines in this breathtaking national park.

✨ Fancy caving and bridge abseiling in the Peak District?

TWe recommend this discounted guided, full-day outdoor excurison for the ultimate, heart-pounding gorge walking and abseiling experience – expert instructor and all equipment included. Book your experience with 81% off HERE:

Be sure to download a free PDF map from our Peak District Maps guide to help you navigate the UK’s first national park.

Address: Peak District National Park, Derbyshire
Opening Times: Open daily
Admission Price: Free entry
Getting There: 1.5 hour drive from Birmingham

7. Ironbridge Gorge, Shropshire

Dubbed the “cradle of the Industrial Revolution”, take a walk back to 18th century England ambling Ironbridge’s cobblestone lanes by quaint cottages to its world-famous arching iron bridge – the first iron bridge ever built.

One of my favourite places, you can glimpse pioneering Victorian inventions at the 10 insightful living history museums in the region, from traditional porcelain-making to the Coalport China works and even see the fully-operational, actual furnace where the iron was smelted for the first time! 

For adventure seekers, Ironbridge offers some of the best paddleboarding spots in the West Midlands. You’ll be paddling on the River Severn, one of the longest and most scenic rivers in England. Consider hiring a mega raft from Shropshire Raft Tours that can sit 5 to 8 people – perfect for families!

Being one of the top places to see and do in Telford and among the best attractions in Shropshire, The Ironbridge Gorge is not to be missed.

Address: Ironbridge, Telford, TF8 7DX
Opening Times: Attractions open daily from 10am
Admission Price: Free to walk around, individual attraction prices apply
Getting There: 45 minute drive from Birmingham

► Insider Tip: Ironbridge Gorge Museums are English Heritage Sites – read our guide here on the benefits of English Heritage Membership – how it can save you hundreds of pounds a year, and how to sign up for one.

→ Venturing into the Black Country? Prepare for a different dialect! First, learn how to tell a Brummie apart from a Yam Yam.

8. Cannock Chase, Staffordshire

Covering 26 square miles, Cannock Chase Forest is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with wild deer, birds of prey, and vibrant purple heather moorlands waiting to be discovered on scenic hiking trails.

Families enjoy navigating their way through vast pine forests to find the Gruffalo sculptures hidden along a storybook trail.

Be sure to stop at one of the pretty streams and ponds to spot dragonflies, roll down grassy hills and refuel with a hearty picnic before tired little legs trek back.

One of my fave activities here is the Go Ape Outdoor Adventure park – perfect for older kids, there’s thrilling zip-wire rides and climbing walls amongst other exciting stuff.

Address: Cannock Chase, Staffordshire
Opening Times: Open daily
Admission Price: Free entry. Book your GoApe tickets HERE:
Getting There: 30 minute drive from Birmingham

Read more: Brummie Slang: A Beginners Guide

9. Kinver Edge Rock Houses, Staffordshire

This dramatic red sandstone ridge offers panoramic views over Staffordshire’s lush countryside from the mile-long clifftop walk.

Kids will adore scrambling over the rock formations which have a mysterious history – from the 17th century, local families lived in the network of caves beneath to avoid paying taxes! 

Let imaginative young minds wonder what life was like living under the earth as you explore the cavern homes and winding woodland trails of this National Trust site.

Address: Kinver Edge, off the A458, Kinver, DY7 6HJ
Opening Times: Open daily, dawn until dusk. The Garden and tea room and Rock Houses are only open on Sat–Sun from 11am–3pm.
Admission Price: £6.50; Children – £3.25; Family – £16.25; and Family (1 Adult) – £9.75. Buy your National Trust Membership Pass HERE
Getting There: 30 minute drive from Birmingham

► Pro Tip: Kids 5 and under go free on heritage railways like Severn Valley making steam trains an affordable family adventure. Make sure to wave out the window for the full experience!

→ More Birmingham guides:
The Best Time to Visit Birmingham
Free Things to Do in Birmingham
Top Kid-Friendly Activities in Birminhgam
Collection of Free PDF Downloadable Birmingham Maps
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10. Trentham Monkey Forest, Stoke-on-Trent

One of the most popular attractions in Stoke-on-Trent, wander the trails through Trentham Monkey Forest as cheeky Barbary macaques swing through treetops, groom each other and playfully tussle over snacks.

Get up close viewing from observation platforms and along the pathways running through their woodland habitat as these remarkable tail-less primates’ curiosity leads them to approach visitors. 

When you’ve had your dose of monkey mischief, the vast gardens surrounding Trentham Estate offer 750 acres of riverside trails, secret gardens planted with flowers arranged by color, and a quaint shopping village to continue making memories.

Address: Trentham Monkey Forest, Stone Road, Tittensor, Stoke-on-Trent, ST12 9HR
Opening Times: Daily 10am – 5pm
Admission Price: £9 Adults, £8 Children, £32 Family (2 adults, 2 children)
Getting There: 1 hour drive from Birmingham

Read more: 20 Best Kid-Friendly Activities in Wolverhampton

11. Malvern Hills, Worcestershire

For picture-perfect views across three counties, ramble up the floral pathways crisscrossing the majestic Malvern Hills.

At the peak, young explorers will feel on top of the world standing at the beacon hill iron age fort and counting the cows dotting the pastures below. 

Back at ground level there’s still plenty to keep families entertained in this pretty Victorian spa town – take a ride on mini steam trains, catch a show at the kid-friendly theatre or splash around surf waves at The Splash leisure pool and aqua park nearby.

Address: Malvern Hills, Worcestershire
Opening Times: Open all year round
Admission Price: Free entry
Getting There: 50 minute direct train or 45 minute drive

Related post: How to Claim a FREE English Heritage Family Pass Worth £50

◉ Best Family Day Trips From Birmingham By Train

Many of the top family-friendly days out from Birmingham are accessible by direct train, which you can book here. 

Here are your best options to visit by train instead of car, due to faster travel time and convenient access via train stations:

➤ Warwick Castle – 50 mins direct
➤ Stratford-upon-Avon – 45 mins direct
➤ Malvern Hills – 50 mins direct
➤ Ironbridge Gorge – 45 mins with one change

The train is a great option that allows you to relax and enjoy the scenery en-route – something the kids will love! Plus, you avoid the parking and traffic headaches at busy tourist spots.

◉ Best Day Trips From Birmingham For Families By Car

The following places are better suited for visiting by car due to convenience, quicker duration, and parking facilities:

➤ Alton Towers – 50 mins
➤ Twycross Zoo – 1 hr
➤ Kinver Edge – 30 mins
➤ Cannock Chase – 30 mins
➤ Peak District – 1.5 hrs
➤ The Cotswolds – 1-1.5 hrs
➤ Trentham Monkey Forest – 1 hr

Renting A Car In Birmingham For Day Trips

If you don’t have your own car, renting a vehicle for the day or weekend is a flexible way to explore the surrounding areas on a family day trip. Here are some tips:

➤ Book in advance for the best deals and availability of family-sized vehicles. Weekends tend to get booked up.

➤ Consider renting a minibus or people carrier style car if you have a larger family group. These often have sliding doors and lots of luggage room.

➤ Read reviews and compare prices across rental companies like Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Sixt, and local providers. An independent local company may offer better rates.

➤ If using a car seat, request this at booking and double check it will be provided or if you need to bring your own.

➤ Ask about inclusions like unlimited mileage, collision damage waiver, theft protection and roadside assistance. This can influence price.

➤ Try to pick up and drop off from the same location to avoid extra fees. Birmingham city centre branches can be easiest.

➤ Allow extra time at pickup for paperwork, inspections and fitting child seats. Have credit card and driver’s licenses ready.

Travel Tips For Day Trips From Birmingham

To make your days out stress-free and fun for all ages, here are my top Birmingham day trip tips:

• Pack drinks, snacks, rain jackets – be prepared for changeable weather
• Bring a pushchair for little legs – many sites have trails between attractions
• Arrive early, attractions get busier at midday
• Mix high energy activities with relaxing spots to recharge
• Consider discounted entry passes if doing several attractions
• Book theatre shows or event tickets beforehand
• Travel midweek when possible – weekends get crowded
• Make the journey part of the adventure – kids love trains!
• Capture moments on camera – so much to inspire great pics
• Stop at farm shops and cafes in country villages
• Have a backup indoor option if weather deteriorates

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