West Midlands - What you need to know before you go - Go Guides

West Midlands County is a metropolitan county in England’s West Midlands Region, offering cosmopolitan cities, unique history, museums, animal encounters, shopping, dining and family entertainment. At Cadbury World, you are able to learn about the history and making of chocolate and the iconic brand for which the museum is named while engaging in interactive exhibits. The Black Country Living Museum offers a chance to walk an industrial-era village with costumed performers. Coventry Cathedral showcases a modern edifice before war-damaged ruins of a historic Gothic church. The Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery offers city history, artifacts and Pre-Raphaelite artwork.

The National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham offers an aquarium with otters, turtles, penguins, octopus and other oceanic life up close. For ultramodern shopping and dining, the Bullring and Grand Central offers a huge indoor mall with entertainment galore. Extreme outdoor adventures can be had at the Bear Grylls Adventure. Kids and adults alike will enjoy exploring the castle, ruins and zoo at Dudley Castle.

Top destinations in West Midlands

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Coventry
Coventry is a sprawling city in the UK’s West Midlands, and at its center sits the spectacular Coventry Cathedral. The main structure is a bold post-war design, and the pre-war skeletal Gothic wall and spire form an elegant courtyard. The...
Warwick
Warwick, in the West Midlands of England, is famed for its namesake medieval castle, timber-framed buildings dating to the 14th...
Birmingham
Birmingham is a multi-faceted modern metropolis, where centuries-old churches stand alongside architecturally adventurous mosques, and where a diverse population fuels...

What to see & do in West Midlands

Featured stories & fun stuff

11 Instagrammable Places in Birmingham
Birmingham has a bounty of beautiful spots, and you can capture this beauty for your Instagram whether you want modern or historic sites or natural or urban environments. The natural paths and preserves in the area can be downright breathtaking,...
13 Best Things to Do in Birmingham
Thanks to a host of regeneration projects, the best things to do in Birmingham take advantage of the city's intriguing...
11 Best Things to Do in Coventry
The best things to do in Coventry range from cathedral tours to sampling sessions in quirky microbreweries. With so many...
10 Fun Things You Didn't Know About Birmingham
Birmingham is known to many as an industrial city in the middle of England that has a charming, down-to-earth vibe...
10 Best Things to Do in Warwick
Our guide to the best things to do in Warwick highlights many of the town’s hidden gems. Warwick has played...
10 Best Things to Do for Kids in Birmingham
If you're looking for a fun trip with the kids, Birmingham is a delightful city that’s a popular destination for...
10 Most Popular Neighbourhoods in Birmingham
The best neighbourhoods in Birmingham have benefited greatly from urban renewal and a creative boom in recent years. Exciting streets...
10 Best Sights and Viewpoints of Birmingham
The best viewpoints in Birmingham prove that the city isn’t the concrete jungle many presume it is. Several neighborhoods of...
10 Things to Do Along Birmingham's Canals
Looking for cool things to do along Birmingham’s canals? Fun with a mix of history and picture-postcard moments await. But...

Where & what to eat in West Midlands

8 Best Birmingham Foods Everyone Should Try
The best Birmingham foods everyone should try include local staples that have been popular for decades, some of which date back from the 18th century. The city of Birmingham is well-known for its great variety of restaurants, with no less...
10 Places Where Locals Love to Eat in Birmingham
Eating like a local in Birmingham means tasting dishes inspired from all corners of the globe, particularly South and East...
8 Best Restaurants in Birmingham
Birmingham's best restaurants are spread throughout the city centre, but you need to know where to look. Whether you’re in...

Where to shop & what to buy in West Midlands

11 Best Places to Go Shopping in Birmingham
Shopping in Birmingham is a genuine highlight of the city with plenty of different options to choose from. The city is renowned for jewelry, with many fine objects produced in the Jewellery Quarter.High-street shopping along New Street and inside the...
10 Best Markets in Birmingham
The best markets in Birmingham cater to many kinds of shoppers, whether you’re looking for certified-local produce or alternate fashion....
10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Coventry
Coventry is a major city located in the Midlands region of England, known across the nation for its cathedral and...

Where to go & what to do at night in West Midlands

13 Best Nightlife Experiences in Birmingham
Nightlife in Birmingham is a real highlight of the city. Thanks to one of the youngest populations in Europe and 3 esteemed universities, the people of Birmingham like to play as hard as they work, with plenty of different scenes...
10 Most Iconic Pubs in Birmingham
The most iconic pubs in Birmingham include some of the city’s well-preserved public houses where beverages are enjoyed in characterful...
10 Best Places to See Live Music in Birmingham
Being the second largest city in England, Birmingham has a rich history of vibrant live music scenes. Its nightlife dates...

Useful information

10 Best Festivals in Birmingham
Festivals in Birmingham are hosted throughout the year, celebrating the wide variety of cultures the city has to offer. You'll find something to experience whenever you visit, with locals and international artists alike showcasing their finest wares, performances and food...
Coventry Travel Essentials
Our Coventry Travel Essentials lays out the essential information you need to help you plan your trip to one of...
Birmingham Travel Essentials
Our Birmingham Travel Essentials lays out the essential information you need to help planning your trip to one of the...

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4 Of The Best Attractions To Visit In Birmingham

4 Of The Best Attractions To Visit In Birmingham

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