Brum is brilliant. This city is bursting with beauty and excitement around every street corner. But sometimes, just sometimes, city life bares too much and we need to take a break from the hustle and bustle of crowds and traffic. Luckily, Birmingham is surrounded by endless quaint and quiet villages on our doorstep – all of which make for a fantastic day trip. But we’ve put together a list of the very best and prettiest villages and towns near Birmingham for when you next need a break.
1. 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.
🚗 How to get there: 40 minutes by car.
2. Henley-in-Arden
In the centre of the country, just a few miles north of Stratford-upon-Avon, is Henley-in-Arden, a medieval town steeped in tradition. You may have accidentally stumbled upon this town en route to Stratford or Birmingham, but you’ll have been pleasantly surprised by the selection of quaint pubs, boutiques and 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 (1.6km), which is a conservation area with more than 150 buildings listed as being of special architectural or historical interest.
🚗 How to get there: 32 minutes by car.
3. 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.
Visitors can take in the stunning scenery, try a spot of fishing and maybe spot a rare woodpecker. When you’re done with the outdoors, there are country pubs and a craft centre nearby. With water, wildlife and wonderful walking trails – what’s not to like about Earlswood?
🚗 How to get there: 35 minutes by car.
4. 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 near 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’s 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.
🚗 How to get there: 15 minutes by car.
5. 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 Midland. 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.
🚗 How to get there: 1 hour by train or car.
6. 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 the 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.
🚗 How to get there: 1 hour and 10 minutes by car
7. 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 Indinan restaurant, Malancha. Meanwhile, the 650-acre reservoir for sailing, windsurfing, fly fishing and bird watching, Draycote Water, is only a five-minute drive away.
🚗 How to get there: 45 minutes by car
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.
🚗 How to get there: 30 minutes by car.
9. 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.
🚗 How to get there: 1 hour by car.
10. Kinver
Kinver is a large Staffordshire village that boasts a wealth of history. Situated just a few minutes’ drive from Stourbridge, it is one of those chocolate-box villages that are almost too pretty to be true. Its most popular visitor attraction is Kinver Edge, a 300-acre National Trust-owned site.
As well as the fantastic views from its summit, Kinver Edge’s tall woodland ridge boasts some amazing homes that were carved into the sandstone rock, which were inhabited until the 1950s. They look as though they are 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.
🚗 How to get there: 44 minutes by car.
11. 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 Tanworth-in-Arden is very popular with tourists who are in search of an escape from the city.
It includes country pubs, walking trails and festivals such as the Lunar Arts and Music Festival. Don’t forget to check out Packwood House, a 16th-century manor house with gardens, around six miles away from Tanworth-in-Arden.
🚗 How to get there: 32 minutes by car.
12. 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.
🚗 How to get there: 50 minutes by car.
13. 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.
🚗 How to get there: 20 minutes by car.
14. 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. Don’t miss out on a trip to the many wonderful country pubs and restaurants within Clent and the surrounding areas.
🚗 How to get there: 30 minutes by car.
15. 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 lends its name from too.
🚗 How to get there: 1 hour by car.
16. Hay-on-Wye
Self-described as the ‘World’s First Book Town’, Hay-on-Wye is legendary for its large number of secondhand bookshops – more than one bookshop for every 100 people. Richard Booth’s Bookshop is the most famous, spread over three floors of every type of book you can imagine, and even has its very own cinema. But you’ll find specialist bookshops like The Children’s Bookshop, Murder and Mayhem, The Poetry Bookshop, and Gay on Wye. Plus, many more!
🚗 How to get there: 2 hours by car.
17. 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.
🚗 How to get there: 1 hour by train or car.
18. Castle Combe
It might be a stretch to say that Castle Combe is near Birmingham, but it’s worth the day trip. Again and again, the Wiltshire hamlet has been called one of the prettiest villages in the world – thanks to babbling Bybrook River through the centre, honey-coloured limestone cottages, and a cosy pub complete with roasting fire. No new houses have been built since about the 1600s, with over 100 of the listed buildings in the area. Stay at The Manor House for its 14th-century interiors and quiet gardens, and eat at the Michelin Guide-approved Castle Inn.
🚗 How to get there: 2 hours by car.
Whether heading out on a day trip to the Cotswolds or just exploring the outskirts of Birmingham, you’re likely to stumble across endless lovely villages in the West Midlands. We can’t list them all, unfortunately, but let these ten offer you quick escapes from the city first. Who knows, you might discover even more pretty villages near Birmingham on your travels!