West Midlands

Birmingham sits at the heart of the West Midlands, a city of canals, markets and culture that anchors the wider region. Around it lie the larger towns that shaped Britain's industrial story: Wolverhampton, Coventry, Dudley, Walsall and West Bromwich all offer their own centres, museums and shopping, while Oldbury and Stourbridge retain strong links to the area's manufacturing and glassmaking past.

For quieter stays, Meriden, often claimed as the geographical centre of England, makes a peaceful base, as does Knowle with its handsome high street and parish church. Solihull provides a more affluent, leafy alternative close to Birmingham, well suited to those wanting comfort alongside easy city access. Minworth, on the northern edge, suits travellers after a simple, low-key stopover rather than a destination in itself.

Birmingham accounts for the bulk of accommodation in the West Midlands, from city-centre hotels handy for the Bullring and NEC to guest houses in leafier suburbs like Harborne and Edgbaston, where Albany House and Elmdon Lodge represent the quieter end of things. Coventry and Wolverhampton offer their own mix of business hotels and family-run B&Bs, useful for those working through the region rather than basing themselves in one spot.

Solihull and Walsall tend to suit visitors wanting easy access to the NEC, airport or motorway network without the pace of central Birmingham, while Berkswell offers something altogether more rural, with properties such as White Cottage Bed and Breakfast set among villages rather than ring roads. Options like Barncroft Luxury Guest House and Clover Spa and Hotel show there's scope for a treat stay too, alongside simpler places such as Comfortable Rooms or Middle House for those who just need a bed for the night.

Birmingham accounts for much of the choice here, from Cadbury World's chocolate-themed tours to a growing cluster of escape rooms such as Escape Hunt Birmingham Central, Escape Live Birmingham and Exciting Game, plus newer draws like MeetspaceVR for those after something more active indoors.

Beyond the city, the towns bring their own variety. Dudley's Baggeridge Country Park suits a slower day out with its miniature railway and open space, while Coventry mixes heritage with playful extras like its Spy Mission Treasure Trail and the annual Godiva Festival. Stourbridge and West Bromwich add smaller, more local options worth building a day around.

With such a spread across the county, it is worth deciding whether you want a full day at one big attraction or a couple of shorter visits nearby, since Birmingham and Solihull sit close enough together to combine easily.

Birmingham carries much of the weight here, with a restaurant scene that runs from tasting-menu ambition at places like Opheem to the balti houses and curry restaurants that made the city's food reputation in the first place. Coventry and Solihull add their own mix, from café stops such as Yorks Cafe at Ikon to neighbourhood grills and coffee lounges, while smaller towns across the West Midlands fill in with proper local pubs and casual eateries.

With thousands of options across the county, it helps to think about what you actually want rather than where you are: a quick coffee, a curry, a Turkish grill or a proper sit-down meal are all well covered, often within the same few streets. Birmingham's Chinese Quarter, the balti belt around Sparkbrook and Moseley, and Coventry's city centre are good starting points if you're not sure where to look first.

The West Midlands is a heavily built-up county, so its campsites tend to sit on the fringes, in the green wedges between Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country towns. Kingsbury Water Park Camping and Caravanning Club Site makes use of the lakes and trails near the M42, while Somers Wood Caravan Park and Lady Lane Wharf Certificated Location near Hockley Heath offer quieter, more rural pitches within easy reach of the city.

Towards Stourbridge and Hagley, the Clent Hills provide a proper change of scenery, with Wassell Grove Camping and Caravanning and the Clent Hills Camping and Caravanning Club Site giving access to walking country right on the doorstep. For something less conventional, Himley Glamping, Tiddly Tales and the sites at Umberslade Estate bring in yurts, pods and adventure camps, while Knowle Donkey Sanctuary Campsite adds a family-friendly, animal-focused option to the mix.

Choosing between them usually comes down to whether you want a base for exploring the cities or a rural retreat close to the hills.

Self-catering options across the West Midlands cluster mainly around Birmingham and Solihull, giving easy access to the city's museums, shopping and nightlife while offering the flexibility of your own space. Properties such as Maple Court Retreat and Serenity Comfort suit those wanting a comfortable base within reach of the centre, without the cost or constraints of a hotel stay.

Others lean towards a more countrified feel despite the urban setting. Ye Olde Stone House and Four Oaks Cottage have a period character that appeals if you want somewhere with a bit more charm, while Havenfield House and Lower Peastocking work well for longer stays or groups wanting more room to spread out. Solihull's leafier edges make a good choice if you'd rather be near green space but still close to Birmingham itself.