Whether you're a Brummie yourself or a tourist just stopping by, make the most of Birmingham's central UK location and explore its interesting surroundings that will give you a different perspective of the midlands. In this blog, we'll give you our ten picks of the best day trips from Birmingham whether you're into theme parks, the great outdoors or busy city breaks. All of our picks can be easily accessed from Birmingham's impressive train station in just a few hours (or even less).

The 10 Best Day Trips From Birmingham

1. Stratford Upon Avon

visit stratford as one of the best birmingham day trips
Train journey time: 40 mins
Famous for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare, squint your eyes and Stratford Upon Avon could be mistaken for Bruges. With canals, timbered buildings and plenty of authentically English pubs, Stratford is well worth the short train from Birmingham. Be warned, in summer, it gets busy so unless you're happy with crowds, we suggest planning your day trip in spring, autumn or even winter for a festive break.

Stratford Upon Avon Highlights:

2. Telford

telford is one of the best day trips from birmingham
Train journey time: 45 mins
Close to the Welsh border lies Telford. An often-overlooked English town that has an interesting history, beautiful nature and a striking bridge. If the weather's good, we recommend going rafting, walking along the nature trails or visiting the Victorian Town. But if the weather's bad (sadly likely in our part of the world), Telford has tons of interesting museums and galleries to wander.

Telford Day Trip Highlights:

3. Derby

derby is one of the best day trips from derby
Train journey time: 35 mins
For a slice of history, a day trip to Derby from Birmingham is a quick 35-minute ride. Known as one of the UK’s most haunted cities due to its historic past going back to the Romans, it’s a great spot if you’re into ghost stories or dark history. But if ghost tours aren’t your thing, we recommend visiting the QUAD Derby, a creative hub for cinema and art, and Darley Park, a peaceful, riverside park with a butterfly garden and wildflower meadows.

Derby Day Trip Highlights:

4. Warwick

warwick is a great day trip from birmingham england
Train journey time:
History lovers, this one's for you. Warwick is home to one of England's most impressive castles, Warwick Castle, complete with dungeons, jousting events, and a sprawling garden. Beyond the castle, stroll around the town's charming streets, lined with independent shops, cafes, and historic buildings or venture a bit further out for a fun, family day out at Roger Williams Park Zoo.

Warwick Day Trip Highlights:

5. Great Malvern

one of the best day trips from birmingham is malvern
Train journey time: 50 mins
When you need a break from the Birmingham bustle, hop on a train to Great Malvern, a peaceful haven in the Malvern Hills. This charming town is a favourite for nature lovers – the views alone are worth the trip. Plus, with historic architecture and theatres, there’s plenty to explore beyond the hills.

Great Malvern Day Trip Highlights:

6. Chester

take a day trip to chester from birmingham
Train journey time: 1 hr 35 mins

Chester is a longer day trip from Birmingham but well worth it for the history alone. Famous for its Roman walls and medieval buildings, it’s a beautiful city for a leisurely day out. Walk the historic city walls, explore the Rows, or head to Chester Zoo if you’re feeling wild!

Chester Day Trip Highlights:

7. Aberystwyth

day trip to aberswyth from birmingham
Train journey time: 2 hrs 40 mins

For a seaside escape, head to Aberystwyth from Birmingham. This Welsh coastal town mixes Victorian charm with natural beauty. From the promenade to Aberystwyth Castle, there’s a lot to enjoy, not to mention breathtaking views from the cliff railway.

Aberystwyth Day Trip Highlights:

8. Tycross Zoo

Train journey time: 1 hour
For a family-friendly day trip, Twycross Zoo is just an hour away. Known for its incredible primate collection, the zoo offers an exciting change of pace from the city, letting you spend the day with everything from giraffes to tropical butterflies.

Twycross Zoo Day Trip Highlights:

  • Primates and big cats
  • Butterfly Forest
  • Giraffe Savannah
  • Tropical House

9. Alton Towers

alton towers is one of the best day trips from birmingham england
Train journey time:  1 hr 20 mins (with bus transfer)

If you’re craving adrenaline, Alton Towers is the UK's best theme park and one of the best day trips from Birmingham for those who love living life on the edge. Famous for rollercoasters and rides that test the limits, visiting Alton Towers can really shake up your day-to-day life and leave you feeling invigorated (and perhaps a bit shell-shocked). Get an early start to beat the queues and dive into a day packed with action.

Alton Towers Day Trip Highlights:

  • The Smiler and Oblivion
  • Alton Towers Dungeon
  • CBeebies Land for kids
  • The Gardens

10. Liverpool

liverpool is one of the best day trips from birmingham
Train journey time:1 hr 35 mins

Music, history, and culture await just over an hour away from Birmingham. Liverpool is ideal for a day of exploration, with iconic sites like The Beatles Story Museum and the Albert Dock. But if you've already visited Liverpool before, you can have a fun day trip from Birmingham beyond the usual Beatles and waterfront sights. This is a city rich in offbeat experiences, from mysterious underground passages at the Williamson Tunnels to quirky art spaces like The Bluecoat and FACT Liverpool.

Liverpool Day Trip Highlights:

Will You Take a Day Trip From Birmingham?

day out near birmingham to shrewsbury
With Birmingham’s central location, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to exciting, varied day trips. So next time you feel the need for a change, remember that some of the UK’s best destinations are just a train ride away from Birmingham!

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