Things to do in the West Midlands

Whether you live in the West Midlands or you’re planning a visit, it’s useful to have a comprehensive resource of things to do. I share a list of events taking place each school holiday, as well as general days out. Things to do on rainy days and dog friendly days out in the West Midlands are also featured. You can use the links in the table below to take you to each section or check out my comprehensive list of free days out in the area.

Family days out in the West Midlands

We are very lucky to have a plethora of exciting family days out in the West Midlands. Whether you are looking for an educational activity or a somewhere to relax, you’ll find just the right place to visit. Here’s a list of family days out. Below, you’ll find information about the days out we have reviewed, and a link to each review if you’d like to read more.

Family days out in Herefordshire

Eastnor Castle: A great day out with events on throughout the year. There is a big focus on being outdoors with an adventure playground, lakeside walks and exciting themed activities for children. The castle is only open on particular days, so do check their website before you go.

Goodrich Castle: One of the best preserved medieval castles in the UK, owned by English Heritage. It is well worth picking up an audio guide so that children can immerse themselves in learning about the siege of the civil war, see the murder holes in the castle’s walls and learn what they were for. There is also an exhibition including a display of the only surviving civil war mortar.

Family days out in Shropshire

Blists Hill Victorian Town: A beautifully nostalgic day out. Change your money into pounds, shillings and pence and spend it in a vintage sweetshop, ride a mine train, enjoy a swing boat ride and experience Victorian life. This is a dog friendly attraction.

Family days out in Staffordshire

Alton Towers: The largest theme park in the area. Home to CBeebies land which is great for young children. Plenty available for adrenaline seeking teens and adults too. You can’t do the waterpark and theme park in one day, there’s just too much to do. They have their own themed accommodation that children love, including a new CBeebies themed hotel. It is well worth staying over if you want to do both waterpark and theme park.

Drayton Manor: A small but perfectly formed theme park with large, fast rides for thrill seekers and the much tamer Thomas Land area for young children. There’s a 4D cinema, boat rides on the lake, a zoo and a dinosaur walk. Indoor areas include restaurants, the 4D cinema and a soft play area.

National Forest Adventure Farm: A lovely day out for young children with a small farm park and a tractor safari. There is also a JCB dig zone, crazy golf, an assault course and a bouncy slide and jumping pillows. Indoors is a soft play area with various different slides, along with an area for younger children and a café.

Family days out in Warwickshire

Kenilworth Castle: One of the most impressive English Heritage owned properties in the West Midlands, Kenilworth is of great historical significance. Enjoy tower views and an Elizabethan garden, as well as looking at the castle and learning about its history. There are events on at different times that will make the castle more appealing to children such as falconry displays and adventures in archeology.

Royal Shakespeare Company: I never would have thought of the RSC for a day out with children until we visited The Play’s The Thing. This is an interactive exhibition for children and adults alike. It is one of many activities available for children at the RSC, as well as their regular theatre productions.

Warwick Castle:  Since becoming part of the Merlin group, this has become so much more than just a castle. You can explore the castle and its grounds including the scary dungeon with actors and special effects. There is a Horrible Histories maze and stunning views from the towers over the Capability Brown landscaped gardens. There are regular shows and events on here, so do check out their website to find out what’s on.

Family days out in West Midlands (county)

Black Country Living Museum: A fascinating insight into the industrial history of the Black Country. This open-air museum is set in 26 acres, constructed to simulate West Midlands life in the 1830’s. There is a village complete with residents, traditional games, trams, shops, a fairground, an underground mine and even a pub. Learn about history by being immersed in it and experiencing life as it was then.

Cadbury World: Book an interactive tour to learn how chocolate is made. Leave plenty of time to enjoy all the other activities on offer too, including a 4D cinema, adventure play area and a mini theatre. There is a small area outside but the majority of the attraction is indoors so it’s ideal for a rainy day.

Inflata Nation: A huge room full of inflatables in the style of a trampoline park, whereby the whole room is like a massive bouncy castle. So, even when you’re walking between the activities you’re on an inflatable platform. You can pay to bounce for either an hour or two hours so this isn’t a full day out. We found that an hour was plenty for us.

National Sea Life Centre: This enormous aquarium is home to fish, sharks, an octopus, penguins, a sea turtle and otters as well as numerous other species. There are always events going on and my children find something different that they love each time they visit. 

Family days out in Worcestershire

Croome: An impressive mansion standing in vast grounds with plenty of child-friendly things to do, including an outdoor playground with swings, slide and other play equipment. There is also an additional play area that is based around more natural activities like den building. Regular activities take place at Croome for children of all ages.

Avoncroft Museum: A museum of old buildings from different eras that have been moved from various places and reconstructed here. There is even a section dedicated to phone boxes, including a Tardis. Children love the amount of space at Avoncroft, they can run and play as well as learning.

The Firs Elgar Birthplace Museum: The cottage in Broadheath where Elgar was born was purchased by his daughter after his death. It has since become a museum in his memory. This is a surprisingly dog friendly and child friendly day out. The museum itself is full of fascinating exhibits and children can let off steam outside in the musical garden.

West Midlands Safari Park: A reasonably large drive-through safari park with a large variety of animals. The giraffes, zebras, camels and numerous other animals roam freely in the area that you drive through. There are also big cat and elephant enclosures but these are kept away from the cars to keep visitors safe. There is a small theme-park area with some rides and a walk-through dinosaur area at the end of the safari.

Indoor days out in the West Midlands

Whilst we are blessed with plenty to do here in the West Midlands, the weather isn’t always kind to us. You can read a full list of ideas for rainy days out. The below are the attractions I have reviewed that are predominantly indoors.

Indoor days out in Staffordshire

Alton Towers Waterpark: A large, indoor water park with numerous water features for everyone from adrenaline seekers to small children. Relax in a lazy river, whizz down a water coaster or high speed slide or venture into the outdoor area during the Summer. The water park is open all year round, even when the theme park is closed for the Winter.

Indoor days out in Warwickshire

Royal Shakespeare Company: The Play’s The Thing at the RSC is an interactive exhibition for children and adults alike. It is one of many indoor activities available for children at the RSC, as well as their regular theatre productions.

Indoor days out in West Midlands (county)

Cadbury World: Book an interactive tour to learn how chocolate is made. Leave plenty of time to enjoy all the other activities on offer too, including a 4D cinema, adventure play area and a mini theatre. There is a small area outside but the majority of the attraction is indoors so it’s ideal for a rainy day.

Inflata Nation: A huge room full of inflatables in the style of a trampoline park, whereby the whole room is like a massive bouncy castle. So, even when you’re walking between the activities you’re on an inflatable platform. You can pay to bounce for either an hour or two hours so this isn’t a full day out. We found that an hour was plenty for us.

National Sea Life Centre: This enormous aquarium is home to fish, sharks, an octopus, penguins, a sea turtle and otters as well as numerous other species. There are always events going on and my children find something different that they love each time they visit.

Indoor days out in Worcestershire

Kingfisher Shopping Centre: This isn’t the largest indoor shopping centre, but it is one of the best around when it comes to a day out with children. As well as shops and restaurants, Kingfisher Shopping Centre hosts the 360 Play area for children. A large soft play frame sits alongside dogems, a craft zone, dressing up areas and a carousel ride.

Dog friendly days out in the West Midlands

When we’re out and about in the local area, our dog Bubbles usually tags along. I’ve produced a very comprehensive list of dog friendly days out. Below are links to the dog friendly days out in the West Midlands that I’ve reviewed.

Dog friendly days out in Herefordshire

Croft Castle: This National Trust property is a great family day out with plenty of places to explore, fun playgrounds and a cosy, warm tearoom. The parkland and gardens are dog friendly, as is a section of the tearoom. Dogs aren’t allowed inside the other buildings. A selection of walks of varying distances are available around the estate.

Eastnor Castle: A great day out with events taking place throughout the year. There is a big focus on being outdoors with an adventure playground, lakeside walks and exciting themed activities for children. This is a particularly dog friendly attraction as canines are even allowed inside the castle.

Goodrich Castle: Widely accepted to be one of the most well preserved medieval castles in England. Located less than half an hour drive from the centre of Hereford, it boasts views over spectacular countryside. It strikes the perfect balance between informative and authentic and better still, it’s ideal for both dogs and children. Dogs are welcome everywhere except inside the café. They are fine to sit outside the café though, and dog water and treats are available.

Dog friendly days out in Staffordshire

Cannock Chase Forest: Forestry Commission land providing a great day out for the whole family, including the dog. Woodland walks and mountain bike trails provide the opportunity to get active. With four cycling trails, four walking trails, Segway, Go Ape, orienteering, children’s play areas, barbecue and picnic areas, bike hire and a cafe there’s plenty to keep the whole family busy. Dogs are welcome at Cannock Chase Forest. In fact, this place is so dog friendly that there’s even a special dog activity trail where canines can try several activities including fetch, weaving and jumping.

Kinver Edge: A National Trust property in a unique setting. The location of a hill fort on a sandstone ridge, overlooking houses set into red sandstone rocks. This is a haven for various wildlife and visitors can explore the famous Holy Austin Rock Houses. Hear tales of past residents and stroll around the the Kinver Edge heathland and sandstone ridge to take in the views from the Iron Age Hill Fort’s ramparts. You can walk for miles through woodlands and buy refreshments at the tearoom or take a picnic. There’s a free trail and natural play areas for children. Dogs are welcome but must be kept under close control around livestock. They ask you to take dog mess home to dispose of.

Dog friendly days out in Warwickshire

Kenilworth Castle: English Heritage owned property of great historical significance. Enjoy views from the tower, stroll around the Elizabethan garden and learn about the castle and its fascinating history. There are events on at different times that will make the castle more appealing to children such as falconry displays and adventures in archeology. Kenilworth Castle is dog friendly with dogs welcome on leads throughout the site, with the exception of the food area of the tearoom. There are seats outside the tearoom with umbrellas to keep you dry on a rainy day.

Dog friendly days out in Worcestershire

Avoncroft museum: I have to admit I’m a little bit biased about how brilliant Avoncroft is since it’s where I got married. This is a museum of old buildings from different eras that have been moved from various places and reconstructed here. There is even a section dedicated to phone boxes, including a Tardis. Children love the amount of space at Avoncroft, they can run and play as well as learning. Dogs are welcome on leads at Avoncroft and they even have a special Dog Day Weekend each January, when visitors are positively encouraged to bring a dog along.

Croome: A dog friendly National Trust property with plenty to keep children entertained. An outdoor playground with swings, slide and other play equipment sits alongside an additional play area based around more natural activities like den building. This is in addition to the café, beautiful grounds and the house itself. Activities and events regularly take place at Croome too. Dogs are welcome on leads in the grounds and there are some areas where they can be let off the lead. They can’t go in the house or cafe, but there is an undercover outdoor seating area at the cafe near the entrance where they can join you.

The Firs Elgar Birthplace Museum: The cottage in Broadheath where Elgar was born was purchased by his daughter after his death. It has since become a museum in his memory and is now run by the National Trust. This is a surprisingly dog friendly and child friendly day out. The museum itself is full of fascinating exhibits and children can let off steam outside in the musical garden. Dogs are allowed everywhere except for the café and inside the cottage itself.

Malvern Hills: One of the most beautiful natural areas in the West Midlands. It stretches across four counties, covering a 1250 square kilometre area. You can find a variety of walking trails, with options suitable for any age and level of fitness. The whole area is dog friendly but dogs need to be on leads in many places due to farm animals grazing.

Witley Court: This fascinating English Heritage property has formal gardens, woodland walks and a ruined stately home. Admire the stunning views and elaborate water fountain from the house. In the gardens, adventure play areas keep the children busy and dogs on a lead are welcome. An independent tearoom operates from April to October. Dogs are allowed in the conservatory of the tearoom, which is by far the nicest part anyway.

Things to do in the West Midlands during school holidays

Each school holiday, I produce a guide to what’s on in the West Midlands. These are updated each year as soon as attractions start to advertise their school holiday events. The below links are to the most up to date school holiday guides.

• February half term
• Easter holidays
• May half term
• Summer holidays
• October half term
• Christmas holidays