The West Midlands is a county and tourist region in the central-western area of England. Occupied since Roman times, the West Midlands was vital to England’s wool trade in the Middle Ages and the ground-breaking manufacturing developments of the Industrial Revolution.
Explore cities that have been transformed from smoggy industrial plants into lively cultural centers. With superb museums, theme parks, music festivals and stunning countryside, it’s a destination for all seasons and all ages.
Birmingham, Britain’s second-biggest city, has the Bullring and Grand Central shopping centers, Jewellery Quarter, Symphony Hall and Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum.
About half an hour southeast of Birmingham is Coventry where you can visit the Coventry Transport Museum to get a glimpse at the city’s former car manufacturing prowess. Coventry’s medieval streets show how the city looked before being blitzed in World War II.
Go northwest of Birmingham to Wolverhampton to see everything from Egyptian ceramics to works by Old Masters at the Wolverhampton Art Gallery.
Take daytrips to Dudley Castle and Kenilworth Castle to experience centuries of royal history. Sarehole Mill is a 250-year-old working watermill that inspired themes from J.R.R. Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Sandwell Valley Country Park has excellent bird watching, cycling and walking. Discover huge urban parks, including Malvern and Brueton Park and Sutton Park.
For a change of scenery head to Dudley for the Black Country Living Museum, which recreates life in a 19th-century industrial town. Learn about the story of the Cadbury chocolate company on a tour of Cadbury World, just outside Birmingham. At West Midland Safari & Leisure Park spot wild animals on a drive-through tour and ride thrill-seeking fairground attractions.
Soccer fans should purchase tickets for a fixture at historic arenas such as St. Andrew’s Stadium and Villa Park, both in Birmingham, and Wolverhampton's Molineux Stadium.
Attend an international cricket match at Edgbaston Cricket Ground and witness the excitement of Birmingham Greyhound Racing. In summertime, world-famous musicians perform at the Birmingham, Solihull and Sandwell Jazz Festival and the V Festival.
Reach the West Midlands by flying to Birmingham International Airport from major cities around the world. Trains connect Birmingham with Bristol, Liverpool, London and Manchester in under 2 hours. Get around via buses and trains or embark on a picturesque narrowboat tour along miles of canals.