Don’t get me wrong. I love living in a city. It’s not just the restaurants and shopping, but the buzz of life around every street corner. But sometimes, it gets a little too much, and I need a break from the hustle and bustle of crowds and traffic. Luckily, Birmingham is blessed with an array of quaint and quiet villages and towns on its doorstep—perfect for a day trip or weekend getaway.
1. Royal Leamington Spa
The happiest place to live in the West Midlands is just half an hour from Birmingham. Thanks to the popularity of its ‘medicinal’ spas in the Georgian and Regency periods, this village has grown into a gorgeous spa town that remains as popular today. Check out the Grade II listed Royal Pump Rooms’ free library, museum and art gallery, or the tropical greenery of the Jephson Gardens.
2. Henley-in-Arden
This medieval town is steeped in tradition, from annual rubber duck races to its legendary Henley Ice Cream—we’ve got our eye on a few flavours like banana and fudge, blackcurrant sorbet and walnut and maple syrup, but the parlour has over 50 flavours to choose from. Enjoy a scoop as you wander down Henley-in-Arden’s mile-long high street, which is a conservation area with more than 150 buildings listed as being of special architectural or historical interest.
3. Wombourne
This rural village, south of Wolverhampton, is old enough to have medieval roots. Mentioned in the Domesday Book, Wombourne was once an agricultural village, but you can also find traces of its more recent industrial past here. On a dry day, walking down the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canals is a must. You’ll likely come across the Bratch, a cluster of canal buildings which also include a pump house and locks.
4. Kinver
Kinver boasts a wealth of history and is almost too pretty to be true, but its most popular visitor attraction is Kinver Edge, a 300-acre National Trust-owned site famous for homes carved into the sandstone rock, which were inhabited until the 1950s. They look like the English equivalent of the Lord of the Rings set of Hobbiton, actually located in New Zealand, making this easily one of the prettiest villages near Birmingham.
5. Solihull
Some might say that Solihull is actually in Birmingham, but “the most peaceful place to live in England” is distinctly its own place. Boasting Tudor-style architecture, extensive green spaces, and historic sites, it’s got that ‘town in the country’ feel that balances natural beauty with modern amenities.
6. Earlswood
Of all the nice villages near Birmingham, none has a nature reserve like Earlswood. Situated just south of Solihull, Earlswood Lakes is made up of three 22-acre reservoirs that you can wander around—Terry’s Pool, Windmill Pool and Engine Pool. Take in the stunning scenery, try a spot of fishing and maybe spot a rare woodpecker. With water, wildlife and wonderful walking trails, what’s not to like about Earlswood?
7. Bournville
This purpose-built model village was once home to the employees of Cadbury. Now it’s one of the most desirable places to live in Birmingham. Home to mock Tudor houses and lovely leafy lanes, Bournville’s beautiful ‘Factory in a Garden’ setting is near perfection—apart from the fact that there are no pubs or off-licenses. The Cadbury family were Quakers and ensured there’d be no booze in the area, a rule that’s been upheld for over 120 years.
8. Alvechurch
Lying in northeast Worcestershire, not far from the Lickey Hills, the village of Alvechurch is around 12 miles from Birmingham and easily accessible by train. Many aren’t looking for pretty villages near Birmingham in this part of the West Midlands. But they should be. It has pubs, canals perfect for walking, as well as Alvechurch Marina, which pulls in narrowboat owners. There are plenty of cosy cottages dating back 200 years and more in the heart of the village, which is just east of the bustling town of Bromsgrove.
9. Lichfield
Lichfield, aka “the most English place in the country”, is a beautiful blend of history, architecture and culture, making it the perfect slice of English life. It’s home to the only medieval cathedral in the UK with three spires (one of the oldest places of Christian worship in the country) that survived three sieges during the English Civil War. Elsewhere, tuck into Tom Shepherd’s Michelin Star restaurant, Upstairs, while the lovely Stowe Pool and Fields provide plenty of outside air.
10. Tanworth-in-Arden
That Tanworth-in-Arden was the childhood home of renowned musician Nick Drake—known for his lush folk numbers—might give you a clue to its quaint nature. This village boasts an impressive amount of history, too. It may only have a small population of about 3,000, but it includes country pubs, walking trails and festivals. Don’t forget to check out Packwood House, a 16th-century manor house with gardens, around six miles away from Tanworth-in-Arden.
11. Clent
Just 12 miles away from Birmingham, Clent is one of the smallest towns near Birmingham. No visit to this area in Worcestershire would be complete without a trip to the National Trust’s Clent Hills. This site is perfect for walks and panoramic views of Birmingham, and you may even spot bright carpets of bluebells depending on the season. Plus, you’ll find the Clent Hills pinnacle, the Four Stones—a mysterious sham megalithic site.
12. Wishaw
With a population of just 125 in the 2011 census, the Warwickshire village of Wishaw is a far cry from the bustle of Birmingham. Many visitors come here to visit the quintessential country pub, The Cock Inn, while the Belfry Hotel & Resort is also popular with locals and celebrities who come for the world-class golf facilities. Less than a 10-mile drive away from Wishaw is Kingsbury Water Park with 15 lakes in 600 acres (240ha) of land. As well as the lakes, the water park also offers picnic areas, bike hire and a miniature railway.
13. Ironbridge
The riverside village is set within the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Widely regarded as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, you’ll not only find the world’s first iron bridge that lends its name to the village, but also several award-winning museums within the Ironbridge Valley of Invention.
14. Dunchurch
Sitting on the outskirts of Rugby, Dunchurch is notable for its historic thatched-roof houses and nearby scenic walks. Many buildings date back to the 15th century, while the infamous Gunpowder Plotters stayed at the Lion Inn in 1605 (now a private home called Guy Fawkes House). There’s a surprisingly fair bit to do in this village, yes, village.
Hungry? Choose between one of the two pubs, The Dun Cow and The Green Man; trendy coffee shop, Square Coffee; three-course carvery, The Huntsman; and Indian restaurant, Malancha. Meanwhile, the 650-acre reservoir for sailing, windsurfing, fly fishing and bird watching, Draycote Water, is only a five-minute drive away.
15. Bridgnorth
Like Budapest, Bridgnorth is really two towns—High Town and the Low Town—connected by the steepest inland funicular railway in Britain. A favourite of Charles I (“the finest in all my kingdom”), this is undoubtedly one of prettiest towns near Birmingham and full of things to see and do.
Go fishing by the Severn (covered in crowfoot flowers in summer), follow the ancient Cartway to the flower-filled cliffs and caves of Lavington Gardens, or check out the views from Castle Walk and the Castle Keep, which leans at an angle greater than the Tower of Pisa. Elsewhere, the impressive Northgate Museum is a must for all visiting Bridgnorth.
16. Stratford-upon-Avon
The birthplace of the most famous writer in the English language, Stratford-upon-Avon, is a marvellous medieval market town in the West Midlands. Many of its buildings are over 800 years old, with history flowing down every street. You don’t have to be a fan of Shakespeare to enjoy its loveliness.
Pilgrimages to Shakespeare’s Birthplace and Anne Hathaway’s Cottage are a must, while you can catch many of the Bard’s most famous plays being performed at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. But head to the MAD Museum, the UK’s only museum for mechanical art, for crazy gadgets, and take a tour of the artisan gin and rum distillery, Shakespeare’s Distillery.
17. Evesham
Home to the breathtaking Evesham Abbey, Evesham is a quiet Medieval market town on the River Avon that’s famous for its asparagus, apparently. The Vale of Evesham has long been regarded as the “fruit and vegetable basket of England” and, as such, has become an underrated foodie destination. It’s more than a place for high-quality produce; walk around the award-winning Abbey Park and enjoy beautiful lawns, old trees and a lily pond. Plus, check out the Hampton Ferry—the only line-pulled ferry in the UK.
18. Broadway
When your village is in the Cotswolds, you can pretty much guarantee it’s going to be among the prettiest. But Broadway is often called the ‘Jewel of the Cotswolds’. Honey-coloured buildings, cute little lanes, a gorgeous village green, as well as lots of little shops—like delis, galleries, tea rooms, antique boutiques—you can see why.
On the edge of Worcestershire, it’s also home to the beautiful Broadway Tower. The 18th-century folly is the Cotswolds’ tallest tower, climbing three storeys high. Set within a 200-acre estate of parkland, you could easily spend all day here exploring. Just remember to give plenty of time to the pretty village it is named after, too.
19. Ilmington
Look, there’s not a lot to do in Ilmington, but we can’t leave the ‘best place to live in the Midlands’ off this list. And, with its cute, honey-coloured Cotswolds houses, quiet village lifestyle, and calming walks across the Ilmington Downs, it’s easy to see why. If you’re in the area, check out other charming Cotswolds villages like Moreton-in-Marsh, Stow-on-the-Wold, and Bourton-on-the-Water.
20. Malvern
You can’t come all this way and not visit the Malvern Hills (an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty no less), but the spa town at its edge is worth the admission price alone. Heavily Victorian in style, its roots go back to the Bronze Age. Today, it offers a mix of beauty, history and culture, with an impressive amount of independent cafés and restaurants, arts and craft shops, galleries, boutiques and second-hand bookshops.