The West Midlands Travel Guide provides an overview of local attractions and places of interest for visitors and contains tourist information for travellers. Located to the West of the Midlands region, the region is home to the second largest city in the UK, Birmingham. The region and Birmingham were given an unfortunate label for being a concrete maze, however there has been much improvement to the landscape and the regeneration and redevelopment is beginning to bear fruit. The region has a long history as a centre of manufacturing and had a prominent role in the Industrial Revolution in England.
Overview and Attractions
The largest centre in the region is Birmingham, which is thought of as a hub for the arts with plenty going on. It has been claimed that the city has more navigable canals than Venice. Dudley is thought of as unofficial capital of the Black Country. From the town there are great views over Hereford, Worcester, Staffordshire and the Severn Valley. The town has a castle that goes back to Norman times, it also has a well known zoo, Dudley Zoo that is a popular family attraction, there the whole family can enjoy a day out. Dudley also has an underground canal that makes its way under the town and the Dudley Museum & Art Gallery featuring fossils.
West Bromwich is a small town in the West Midlands, it's five miles from Birmingham and is in contrast to the big city much quieter for those visitors seeking a more relaxed atmosphere. West Bromwich is well known for its football club, West Bromwich Albion a past giant of the game has in recent times struggled to recreate past glories. The fans of course are ever hopeful the good times will return soon. The Barber Institute of Fine Arts is a great place to visit for art lovers, it is among the best small galleries you will find anywhere and boasts an outstanding collection of paintings old and new, sculptures and drawings.
Sutton Coldfield was formerly a Royal Borough and town between 1528 and 1974, when it was merged with the Birmingham Metropolitan District. Sutton Coldfield though has a different character and feel to the much larger Birmingham. The principle attraction is Sutton Park that is over 2,000 acres, the natural parkland, now a nature reserve, also has lakes, woodland, moorland, and a golf course and is a sought after spot for boating, fishing and cycling.
Wolverhampton is well known for its iron and brass foundries. It has a long history and was considered an important settlement before the industrial revolution. Wolverhampton has a selection of galleries and museums. Bantock House & Park looks at the area’s heritage and the Art Gallery houses a diverse collection including works by Gainsborough and Warhol.
The town of Walsall became known as 'town of 100 trades' due to the many different trades the local economy was involved with. The Walsall Leather Museum shows the historic aspect of the town’s heritage along with live demonstrations of craftsmen and women at work. The Art Gallery features the Garman-Ryan Art Collection. To the north there is over 30,000 acres of natural parkland at Cannock Chase. Many people are attracted here each year, they come here to cycle, walk, picnic and enjoy the range of scenery on offer here from moor land to hills to forest.
Walsall Museum is perhaps not the most famous or well known museum in the region but is just as interesting nonetheless. Walsall Museum recounts to visitors the story of life, work and leisure, past and present in Walsall, through the use of exhibitions, activities and events. Those with an interest in local history will find this a fascinating place in which to learn much more. The museums main collection is made up of the general social history, from Walsall's past and present, ranging from the 17th century to 21st centuries. There is a good collection of costume and textiles, which include the Hodson Shop Clothing Collection, an important collection of working class clothing from the 1920s to 1960s.
Birmingham, the second largest city in the UK after London the city has been subject to a huge redevelopment and refurbishment programme in recent years. Birmingham has a good selection of museums, exhibition spaces and sports venues and galleries for visitors to enjoy. Birmingham played a major role in the industrial revolution and prior to this period the Bull Ring, played host to open-air and covered markets and the Bull Ring has been at the centre of the city since. The Bullring Shopping Centre is now one of the largest and most comprehensive shopping complexes in Europe.
Birmingham has a famous Jewellery Quarter where visitors can find a community of jewellers, the area has become famous for its association with jewellery since the 18th century when goldsmiths and jewellers set up their businesses in the area. The Museum of the Jewellery Quarter is in a former workshop of the Smith & Pepper factory, it makes for an interesting visit especially for jewellery fans.
Birmingham Shopping offers a blend of arcades, malls, friendly markets and the Jewellery Quarter. There are plenty of places to shop, leading to refer it as the regional shopping capital and a retail haven.
Wightwick Manor is a manor house that contains some of the finest collections of William Morris and the Arts and Crafts Movement. The beautiful garden was designed by Thomas Mawson and it adds vivid colour through each of the seasons. The house itself contains many original William Morris wallpapers and fabrics, Kempe glass and Pre-Raphaelite paintings.
There are walks and tours available for visitors, a specialist shop devoted to William Morris and the Arts and Crafts Movement. Visitors can sample the local produce in the tea room. The Victorian manor house has retained its many authentic features allowing visitors to take a trip through time when viewing this impressive house. The house is usually open from March to December, but it is wise to check prior to visiting to avoid disappointment.
Birmingham has a burgeoning reputation in the arts world but it is not the only place in the region to find the arts thriving. The Solihull Arts Complex located in Solihull comprises a theatre, studio, cafe bar and gallery spaces. They run a varied programme of events throughout the year that include comedy, drama, music, dance and family shows among others. The programme of events culminates each year with the Arts Complex's own Pantomime production, while the Gallery displays commissioned works from local artists and national touring exhibitions. The Community Gallery has works from local amateur societies. The café bar offers visitors a range of refreshments to theatre goers.
Ha Ha Bar & Grill in the Mailbox in Birmingham is a funky bar located in the stylish Mailbox development. It’s a great place to go after shopping, where you can relax enjoying the range of beers, wines and cocktails on the menu. If you have worked up an appetite and want a bite to eat then you can try the range of food on offer here too. All food is freshly prepared and cooked on site. There is a focus on using fresh, premium ingredients in their dishes. The kitchens are open plan and you can see your food being prepared in front of you.
Visitors looking for a place to dine can try the Bank Restaurant in Birmingham. Regarded as stylish and cool with its modern decor and design, it has terraces that overlook the 19th century canal to add to the dining experience. The food is acclaimed and very much at the heart of the dining experience at the restaurant. You can enjoy a great British dining experience here with a wide ranging menu of British classics and contemporary dishes.
For those seeking some great nightlife you can go back in time with a visit to Flares. The bar is located on Broad Street in Birmingham city centre. It is a fun, vibrant venue with a great atmosphere. The club attracts an eclectic crowd that includes everyone from students to the mature clubber looking for 70’s grooves and some 70's inspired fun. The club has a well stocked bar and the live DJ’s play all the disco favourites from a time when disco ruled the world. The interior is retro boasting a under light dance floor that is very 70's that help create an authentic atmosphere of disco fun.
The West Midlands region offers visitors with a variety of attractions, from the bustling city of Birmingham that plays a central role in much that goes on in the region to the smaller surrounding towns there are places of interest for tourists. The rather unfortunate image of the region being a concrete maze is being turned around with refurbishment and redevelopment. Visitors are benefiting in the change in the landscape to a more pleasing eye catching one.
The location of the West Midlands is one of its advantages, it is fairly close to both visitors from the north and south of the UK and boasts excellent road, rail and air links, via Birmingham International Airport. Whilst the region has in the past received a non complimentary assessment from various commentators, a closer look at this fast improving and developing region will reveal an area to visit that is much more appealing than you might have imagined.
Disclaimer: The information given in on this website is given in good faith and to the best of our knowledge. If there are any discrepancies in no way do we intend to mislead. Important travel details and arrangements should be confirmed and verified with the relevant authorities.
