West Midlands · City
Birmingham
Canals, museums, industrial history, food and neighbourhoods that reward exploring beyond the centre.
Explore Birmingham →Industrial stories, market towns and countryside full of character
Explore a region where big cities, Tudor streets, dramatic valleys, canal country and industrial heritage sit surprisingly close together. From Birmingham and Stratford-upon-Avon to Ironbridge, Ludlow and the Shropshire Hills, there is plenty here for a varied short break.
City energy, country pace
Some of England's biggest stories sit beside its quieter landscapes
One trip can move from engineering and canals to timbered towns, castle walls and the open hills of Shropshire.
Explore the West Midlands & Shropshire
Choose somewhere to begin
Use the map to explore cities, historic towns, industrial heritage and countryside across the region. Choose a place that suits the day you want, then see what else lies nearby.
Featured places
Where to go in the West Midlands & Shropshire
Start with a city, market town or landscape, then use the local guide to add nearby history, countryside and places worth stopping for.
Shropshire · Heritage
Ironbridge Gorge
Industrial heritage, riverside scenery and museums in the valley widely associated with the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution.
Explore Ironbridge Gorge →
Shropshire · Town
Shrewsbury
Timbered buildings, river loops and a historic centre that makes an easy base for wider Shropshire.
Explore Shrewsbury →
Shropshire · Town
Ludlow
A handsome market town with castle ruins, food traditions and easy access to the Shropshire Hills.
Explore Ludlow →
Warwickshire · Town
Stratford-upon-Avon
Tudor streets, theatre, riverside walks and strong literary heritage in a compact historic town.
Explore Stratford-upon-Avon →
Warwickshire · Heritage
Warwick
Castle walls, old streets and riverside walks with easy links to Stratford and the wider county.
Explore Warwick →
Shropshire · Landscape
Shropshire Hills
Ridges, valleys, walking routes and quiet roads stretching across one of the region's most rewarding rural areas.
Explore the Shropshire Hills →
Worcestershire · Landscape
Malvern Hills
A distinctive ridge of hills with far-reaching views, walking routes and spa-town heritage nearby.
Explore the Malvern Hills →
West Midlands · Canal
Black Country Canals
Industrial waterways, locks and heritage sites that reveal another side of the region's engineering story.
Explore the Black Country Canals →
Choose your kind of day
What is the region best for?
Industry, canals & engineeringIndustrial Heritage
Castles, Tudor streets & old townsHistory & Heritage
Ridges, valleys & footpathsWalking & Countryside
Markets, food & local characterTowns & Short Breaks
Easy combinations
Places that work well together
The region is full of short routes where one strong destination naturally leads to another nearby.
Ironbridge, Much Wenlock & Bridgnorth
Industrial heritage, historic streets and a scenic Severn Valley route work naturally together.
- Ironbridge for museums and riverside heritage
- Much Wenlock for a smaller historic stop
- Bridgnorth for views and Severn Valley character
Shrewsbury & the Shropshire Hills
Pair a strong historic town with open countryside and quieter roads.
- Shrewsbury for the old centre and riverside
- Church Stretton for access to the hills
- Long Mynd for walking and views
Stratford, Warwick & Kenilworth
A compact Warwickshire route built around literary history, castles and old streets.
- Stratford-upon-Avon for Shakespeare heritage
- Warwick for the castle and town centre
- Kenilworth for another major castle stop
Mix city, history and countryside without overloading the day
This region changes character quickly. Birmingham, the Black Country, Warwickshire and rural Shropshire all offer different kinds of trip, so choose one area as the focus and build around places that are genuinely close together.
For a dayChoose one city, heritage area or market-town cluster.
For a weekendPair a city or historic town with countryside nearby.
For walkingGive the Shropshire and Malvern hills enough time to enjoy on foot.
By railBirmingham, Shrewsbury, Warwick and Stratford are practical starting points without a car.
When you know where you are going
Stay · Do · Explore
Once you have chosen a destination, the local guide will help you turn it into a complete trip.
Keep exploring
There is more beyond the West Midlands & Shropshire
The Cotswolds, East Midlands, Wales and North West England all make natural additions to a longer journey.