Oldbury

Oldbury sits in the Black Country, just off the M5, and it has built itself a food scene that reflects the area's mix of communities without much fuss or fanfare. With 64 restaurants on our books, this is a town where you eat well rather than eat out for the occasion. Bacaba Indian Restaurant is a good example of the strength of curry houses here, while Blairs Caribbean Takeaway brings a different flavour to the same streets. For something quicker, Burger King covers the familiar ground, and smaller spots like Cafe Pausa and Buttons Cafe & Luncheon Club do the daytime trade of coffee, cake and a proper sit-down lunch.

Big John's Quinton is one of the names locals mention when talk turns to a decent meal without pretence, and Dan's Den fits into that same category of places that keep a loyal, regular crowd. This isn't a destination built around fine dining tasting menus; it's a town that feeds itself well, day in and day out, with a range wide enough to suit a quick bite or a proper sit-down.

Most visitors stay close to the motorway network, and the hotels reflect that practicality. The Premier Inn Birmingham Oldbury M5 Jct2 is the obvious choice for anyone passing through or based here for work, while ibis Styles Birmingham Oldbury offers a bit more character for the price. Domo Boutique Hotel and the Birmingham Best Inn Hotel give options at different ends of the scale, and Redwings Lodge Birmingham rounds out the choice for those who want something quieter, away from the main road.

Oldbury isn't short of things to do beyond the table. Laser Combat Laser Tag Birmingham and TeamSport Indoor Karting Birmingham are both solid options for a group looking to burn off energy, and Flip Out Sandwell does the same job for families with younger children. None of these need a full day, which makes them easy to slot in either side of a meal.

What makes Oldbury work as a base is its position: close enough to Birmingham to dip into the city, but self-contained enough that you don't need to. Between the motorway links, a wide spread of places to eat, and a small but useful set of things to do, it suits anyone who wants convenience without giving up on eating well.