Santa Claus in his grotto handing small gifts to three children standing with their mother in a wooden cabin decorated with candy-themed ornaments, garland, gingerbread men, and jars of colorful sweets on shelves, with Santa's sack visible beside him.
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Where to visit Santa’s Grotto in Birmingham and the West Midlands 2025

ByAriel

LOOKING FOR THE BEST SANTA’S GROTTOS IN THE WEST MIDLANDS? WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED! The countdown to Christmas in the West Midlands is a truly special time. The region transforms, with city centres sparkling under festive lights and a palpable sense of magic in the crisp winter air.  For families, the pinnacle of this magic…

Winding paths of blue LED ground lights creating flowing patterns across a dark lawn at dusk, with illuminated trees in pink and blue in the background and a colorful sunset sky visible through the tree silhouettes.
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Where to See the Christmas Lights in Birmingham and the West Midlands

ByAriel

LOOKING FOR CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN BIRMINGHAM AND THE WEST MIDLANDS? YOU’RE IN THE RIGHT PLACE! Here in the West Midlands, we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to proper, wow-factor Christmas light displays – I’m talking about experiences that make you stop and stare, that give you that proper festive glow. I spend my winters…

A dense forest of tall, straight trees with lush green undergrowth, creating a serene and natural environment.
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11 Best Day Trips From Birmingham For Families [2025]

ByAriel

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…

paddle boarding near me in the west midlands
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14 EPIC Places to Go Paddle Boarding Near Me in Birmingham & the West Midlands

ByAriel

LOOKING FOR THE BEST PADDLEBOARDING SPOTS IN THE WEST MIDLANDS? WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED! As a West Midlands local born and raised, I’ve gone paddle boarding at most locations in this guide and highly recommend them for their stunning scenery, easy water routes, and high-quality equipment on hire. Paddle boarding is an exciting water sport…

A winding road through a Cotswold village with stone cottages and a small bridge over a stream.
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17 Charming Cotswolds Villages: A Complete Guide to Must-Visit Locations

ByAriel

LOOKING FOR THE BEST TOWNS AND VILLAGES IN THE COTSWOLDS? WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED! With its rolling hills, honey-coloured stone cottages, and picturesque landscapes, the Cotswolds is a region that seems frozen in time. It’s no wonder that the Cotswolds villages have captured the hearts of travellers from around the world. Being just a short…

A row of traditional Cotswold stone buildings along a village high street, featuring The Kings Arms pub in the center and Hotel Posting House on the right. The honey-colored limestone buildings have distinctive gabled roofs and mullioned windows. Modern cars are parked along the street and pedestrians can be seen walking past the establishments under a partly cloudy sky.
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The 16 Best Cotswolds Pubs (2025) – Gastropubs, Country Inns & Dog-Friendly Gems

ByAriel

LOOKING FOR THE BEST PUBS IN THE COTSWOLDS? YOU’RE IN THE RIGHT PLACE! It might be famous for its honey-stone villages and rolling hills, but let’s be honest – what really makes the Cotswolds shine is its pubs. I’ve explored every winding country lane and hidden hamlet and made it my mission to find the…

large stately country manor house surrounded by trees and neatly trimmed lawn
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How to Claim a FREE National Trust Pass Worth up to £55! (2025 Offer)

ByAriel

Family days out don’t have to cost a fortune – especially when you can explore some of England’s most beautiful historic housess, impressive castles, and stunning gardens for free! The National Trust is once again offering free family passes (worth up to £55!), and I’m sharing exactly how you can claim yours to enjoy fantastic days out across the…

A stylised illustrated map of the West Midlands region showing major towns and cities with their notable landmarks. The map features Wolverhampton with historic buildings, Walsall with Tudor-style architecture, Sutton Coldfield with a monument, Birmingham in the center with modern buildings and botanical gardens, Dudley with castle ruins, Stourbridge with a clock tower, Solihull with an industrial tower, and Coventry with cathedral ruins. The map shows major motorways M5 and M6, rivers and waterways in blue, scattered green trees, and includes attractions like Cadbury World. Airport symbols indicate Birmingham Airport (BHX). The illustration uses a green background with red script lettering for place names and combines realistic architectural drawings with a cartoon-style map design.
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West Midlands Maps: Interactive Guides, Best Routes & Hidden Gems (Free PDFs)

ByAriel

LOOKING FOR DOWNLOADABLE WEST MIDLANDS MAPS AND GUIDES? As a proud local who has spent years exploring every corner of the West Midlands, I’m delighted to share this invaluable collection of FREE downloadable, printable PDF maps to help you navigate this dynamic region with ease. Simply click on the link beneath each preview image to download your free maps…

A picturesque English village scene with honey-colored Cotswold stone buildings alongside a shallow river. A weeping willow tree dominates the foreground, while people relax by the water's edge. A stone bridge spans the river, and outdoor dining areas with umbrellas are visible near the ivy-covered buildings under a partly cloudy sky.
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The Ultimate 3-Day Cotswolds Itinerary (2025): Hidden Gems & Most Efficient Routes

ByAriel

LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT 3 DAY COTSWOLDS ITINERARY? WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED! Having spent many a weekend scouring every hidden lane and secret viewpoint across the Cotswolds over the past few years, I’ve learned that timing, route planning, and local knowledge make all the difference between a good trip and an unforgettable one.  This carefully…

Illustrated map of the Cotswolds region in England. The map shows key towns and landmarks including Broadway, Stow-on-the-Wold, Chipping Norton, Bourton-on-the-Water, Bibury, Cirencester, and Bath. Notable features like Broadway Tower, Devil's Chimney, and Painswick Rococo Garden are depicted with small illustrations. Green lines indicate walking trails, while blue lines represent rivers. The map provides a charming visual overview of the area's main attractions and geography.
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Cotswolds Maps: Interactive Maps, Travel Guides Free PDFs (+ HIDDEN GEMS Map)

ByAriel

LOOKING FOR DOWNLOADABLE COTSWOLDS MAPS AND GUIDES? The majestic Cotswolds AONB begins in the south of the West Midlands, and covers the northwest of the south of England region. One of my absolute favourite places in the UK, I’ve taken many a trip down south to this dreamy countryside paradise, and now I’ve compiled a…

The ruins of a medieval castle or abbey showing extensive stone remains under a blue sky with white clouds. The structure features a prominent square tower on the left with visible window openings, and the remains of what appears to be a great hall or church with two large Gothic arched openings in the center. The red sandstone walls show various levels of preservation, with some areas reduced to foundation level while others retain significant height. Modern concrete pathways wind through the ruins for visitor access. Green lawns and trees are visible in the background, and the site appears to be a well-maintained heritage attraction with organized walkways throughout the archaeological remains.
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National Trust or English Heritage: Which is Best?

ByAriel

SHOULD YOU GET A NATIONAL TRUST OR AN ENGLISH HERITAGE MEMBERSHIP? As a seasoned heritage explorer who’s been traversing the UK’s most incredible historical sites for over six years, I’ve become something of an expert on National Trust and English Heritage memberships. My partner and I have been dedicated members of both organisations since 2019,…

a low brick bridge parallel to a canal with a curved archway in the middle, and some trees and victorian brick buildings behind the bridge, with reflections in the water
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Best Time to Visit the West Midlands: Weather, Things to Do [by a local]

ByCaitlin

WONDERING WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT WEST MIDLANDS? Situated in the heart of England is the West Midlands county, famous for its industrial heritage and large, diverse cities like Birmingham and Coventry.  As a born and bred resident of this region, living in Birmingham, Walsall, Wolverhampton and Stoke, and who has spent over…