A dense forest of tall, straight trees with lush green undergrowth, creating a serene and natural environment.
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11 Best Day Trips From Birmingham For Families [2025]

ByAriel

WONDERING WHAT ARE THE BEST DAY TRIPS FROM BIRMINGHAM BY TRAIN, CAR AND COACH? Being a Birmingham local means I know first-hand how this vibrant metropolitan area in the West Midlands has so much to offer families looking for great day trip destinations.  As an experienced travel blogger and a parent myself, I have explored…

paddle boarding near me in the west midlands
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14 EPIC Places to Go Paddle Boarding Near Me in Birmingham & the West Midlands

ByAriel

LOOKING FOR THE BEST PADDLEBOARDING SPOTS IN THE WEST MIDLANDS? WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED! As a West Midlands local born and raised, I’ve gone paddle boarding at most locations in this guide and highly recommend them for their stunning scenery, easy water routes, and high-quality equipment on hire. Paddle boarding is an exciting water sport…

oil painting of a victorian blast furnace from the midlands region, showing labourers working away plunging red steel planks into steaming hot water from blazing smelters, with roaring fires billowing smoke above.
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24 Black Country Facts That Will Surprise You: From the Industrial Revolution to Today

ByAriel

WONDERING WHAT ARE SOME FUN FACTS ABOUT THE BLACK COUNTRY? From powering the Industrial Revolution to hiding gunpowder plotters, the Black Country region of England has witnessed more history than most nations manage in centuries. So where is the Black Country exactly? Picture a roughly circular area stretching west from Birmingham’s borders, encompassing parts of…

The ruins of a medieval castle or abbey showing extensive stone remains under a blue sky with white clouds. The structure features a prominent square tower on the left with visible window openings, and the remains of what appears to be a great hall or church with two large Gothic arched openings in the center. The red sandstone walls show various levels of preservation, with some areas reduced to foundation level while others retain significant height. Modern concrete pathways wind through the ruins for visitor access. Green lawns and trees are visible in the background, and the site appears to be a well-maintained heritage attraction with organized walkways throughout the archaeological remains.
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How to Claim a FREE English Heritage Pass worth £50!

ByAriel

Autumn is the perfect time for family adventures – crunchy leaves, crisp air, and stunning historic sites glowing in golden light. And right now, you can explore some of England’s most magnificent castles, Roman ruins, and medieval manors for 100% FREE with English Heritage’s limited-time family pass offer! But here’s the catch: you only have until September 30th…

A stylized, illustrated map of Staffordshire county. It features cartoon-like drawings of hills, trees, and landmarks with labels such as "Churnet Valley Railway," "Cannock Chase," and "Peak Wildlife Park." Towns like Stoke, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stafford and Lichfield are also indicated.
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FREE Staffordshire Maps: Printable PDFs for Walking & Exploring

ByAriel

LOOKING FOR DOWNLOADABLE STAFFORDSHIRE MAPS AND GUIDES? As a seasoned explorer of this wonderfully diverse county I call home, I’m excited to present this essential collection of FREE downloadable, printable PDF maps to help you discover everything from Staffordshire‘s industrial heritage to its stunning rural landscapes with total ease. Simply click on the link under…

A stylized, illustrated map of the Peak District National Park. It features cartoon-like drawings of hills, trees, and landmarks with labels such as "Mam Tor," "Hope Valley Ice Cream," and "Peak Wildlife Park." Nearby towns of Sheffield, Ashbourne, and Buxton are also indicated.
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15 Peak District Maps: Guides, Best Routes & Interactive Trails (Free PDFs)

ByAriel

LOOKING FOR DOWNLOADABLE PEAK DISTRICT MAPS AND GUIDES? As an avid rambler who has trekked the stunning peaks and valleys of this iconic national park, I’m thrilled to share this essential collection of FREE downloadable, printable PDF maps to help you conquer the breathtaking terrain of the UK’s first-ever national park with confidence. Simply click…

large stately country manor house surrounded by trees and neatly trimmed lawn
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How to Claim a FREE National Trust Pass Worth up to £55! (2025 Offer)

ByAriel

Family days out don’t have to cost a fortune – especially when you can explore some of England’s most beautiful historic housess, impressive castles, and stunning gardens for free! The National Trust is once again offering free family passes (worth up to £55!), and I’m sharing exactly how you can claim yours to enjoy fantastic days out across the…

A stylised illustrated map of the West Midlands region showing major towns and cities with their notable landmarks. The map features Wolverhampton with historic buildings, Walsall with Tudor-style architecture, Sutton Coldfield with a monument, Birmingham in the center with modern buildings and botanical gardens, Dudley with castle ruins, Stourbridge with a clock tower, Solihull with an industrial tower, and Coventry with cathedral ruins. The map shows major motorways M5 and M6, rivers and waterways in blue, scattered green trees, and includes attractions like Cadbury World. Airport symbols indicate Birmingham Airport (BHX). The illustration uses a green background with red script lettering for place names and combines realistic architectural drawings with a cartoon-style map design.
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West Midlands Maps: Interactive Guides, Best Routes & Hidden Gems (Free PDFs)

ByAriel

LOOKING FOR DOWNLOADABLE WEST MIDLANDS MAPS AND GUIDES? As a proud local who has spent years exploring every corner of the West Midlands, I’m delighted to share this invaluable collection of FREE downloadable, printable PDF maps to help you navigate this dynamic region with ease. Simply click on the link beneath each preview image to download your free maps…

things to do in stoke-on-trent
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26 Best Things to Do in Stoke-On-Trent in Summer: [by a local]

ByAriel

LOOKING FOR THE TOP SUMMER ACTIVITIES IN STOKE, UK? As someone with family in Stoke, and having recently moved here, I am all too familiar with the main attractions, landmarks, hidden spots, and best eateries in my hometown. This post has my curated list of must-dos for an incredible summer trip in Stoke. Often overlooked…

A person wearing a black beanie and denim shirt eating pho or similar Asian noodle soup from a white bowl. There are condiments, including a jar of chili sauce and some fresh herbs on the wooden table.
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14 Top Restaurants in Stoke-on-Trent: A Local’s Guide to the Best Places to Eat

ByAriel

SEARCHING FOR THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN STOKE? WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED! As a Potteries resident, I’ve made it my mission to track down every decent bit of grub across town. I’ve eaten my way through every corner of Stoke’s six towns – from Longton to Burslem, Hanley to Fenton – hunting out the spots that…

pumpkin picking near stoke on trent
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Where to Pick Your Own Pumpkin Near Stoke-on-Trent: Best Patches in Staffordshire 2025

ByAriel

LOOKING FOR THE BEST PYO PUMPKIN PATCHES NEAR STOKE? With the arrival of Autumn comes colder weather and shorter days, but it also brings with it the cosy atmosphere of fall. With leaves turning vibrant shades of red, yellow, and orange, it’s the perfect time to visit a pumpkin patch. Being a Stoke resident, I’ve…

pumpkin picking near birmingham west midlands
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Where to Pick Your Own Pumpkin Near Birmingham: Best Patches in the West Midlands 2025

ByAriel

LOOKING FOR THE BEST PYO PUMPKIN PATCHES IN BIRMINGHAM? As summer fades and autumn arrives, bringing cooler weather and shorter days, there’s a silver lining: the cosy atmosphere of fall. With leaves turning vibrant shades of red, yellow, and orange, it’s the best time to visit a pumpkin patch. Whether you’re looking to pick the perfect gourd for carving, baking, or decorating,…