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…

two photographs side by side, the left showing a victorian industrial setting with factory and canal, the photo on the right shows a colourful mural on brick wall with a railway bridge going over and showing an alleyway. The left image has the word "bostin!" in black, and the right image has the words "alright bab!" in white.
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Brummie vs Yam Yam: A Fun Guide to the Accent, Slang and Cultural Divide

ByAriel

WANT TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BRUMMIE AND YAM YAM? If you’ve spent any time in the West Midlands, you’ll know there are two mighty cultural forces at play: the Brummie of Birmingham and the Yam Yam of the Black Country. To an untrained ear, they might sound similar, but to us locals, they’re as…

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…

birmingham maps
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Birmingham Maps: Brochures, Travel Guides, Interactive Map (Free PDFs)

ByAriel

LOOKING FOR DOWNLOADABLE BIRMINGHAM MAPS AND GUIDES? As a longtime local having grown up in and around Birmingham, I’m here to share this valuable collection of FREE downloadable, printable PDF maps to help you plan your perfect visit, and guide you around all the exciting things that Birmingham has to offer. The UK’s second-largest city…

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,…

things to do in birmingham uk
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Birmingham in Summer: 26 Family-Friendly Things to Do [by a Local]

ByAriel

LOOKING FOR THE TOP THINGS TO DO IN BIRMINGHAM WITH KIDS? As longtime Birmingham locals (we’ve lived and worked here 7 years) we’ve scoped out the top summer things to do in Birmingham with kids. Trust us, Birmingham a.k.a “Brum” really lives up to the hype. Here’s our curated list of must-dos for an incredible…

brummie slang words
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Complete Guide to Brummie Slang Words, Phrases, Accent, and Meanings (+ Audio Dictionary)

ByAriel

WANT TO KNOW ALL ABOUT THE BRUMMIE SLANG OF BIRMINGHAM? As a born-and-bred Brummie, I’m fluent in the Brummie accent and slang like “alright bab”—phrases that baffle outsiders but define our West Midlands roots. The Brummie dialect, shaped by the city’s industrial past and Black Country neighbours, includes gems like “cob” (bread roll) and “bostin’”…

birmingham to alton towers
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Birmingham to Alton Towers: Best Way To Get There? (a Brummie’s Guide)

ByAriel

LOOKING FOR THE BEST BIRMINGHAM TO ALTON TOWERS TRANSPORT ROUTES? As the UK’s most popular theme park, Alton Towers lures millions of visitors to its incredible rides and attractions with some of the best rollercoasters in the country. Being a thrill seeker myself, and having grown up in Birmingham and the West Midlands, it’s no…

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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National Trust or English Heritage: Which is Best?

ByAriel

SHOULD YOU GET A NATIONAL TRUST OR AN ENGLISH HERITAGE MEMBERSHIP? As a seasoned heritage explorer who’s been traversing the UK’s most incredible historical sites for over six years, I’ve become something of an expert on National Trust and English Heritage memberships. My partner and I have been dedicated members of both organisations since 2019,…