Best Day Trips from Birmingham

As one of the UK’s most central and well-connected cities, Birmingham is not only a great place to live but also the perfect launchpad for an adventure. Come along with CrossCountry to explore the best days out from Birmingham by train and some great options closer to home as well.

Best Train Day Trips from Birmingham

On a CrossCountry train, it’s easy to venture out from Birmingham and discover some lovely places. Here are a few spots passengers can reach directly:

Leamington Spa

Leamington Spa is just thirty minutes from Birmingham New Street by train. This charming town is known for its elegant architecture and beautiful gardens. There are heaps of things to do in Leamington Spa, for example, visitors can spend the day strolling through Jephson Gardens, visiting the Royal Pump Rooms, or exploring the boutique shops and cafes.

Peterborough

Visitors can reach Peterborough station from Birmingham New Street in about an hour and a half by train. The city is a great place for families to visit as there’s lots of outdoor fun, like the Ferry Meadows Country Park, where kids can enjoy the playgrounds and a miniature railway. There’s also the Nene Valley Railway, where families can ride a heritage steam train, an ideal family-friendly activity in Peterborough. As well as enjoying nature, it’s worth paying a visit to the stunning gothic Peterborough Cathedral, where visitors can explore the vast grounds and admire the architectural details.

Oxford

Oxford is a great day trip from Birmingham, accessible in just over an hour with CrossCountry. This historic city is the perfect destination for lovers of architecture, literature, and a bit of quiet. Explore the famous Bodleian Library within the grounds of Oxford University or stroll along the banks of the River Cherwell. There are also opportunities to punt along this same river, the perfect activity for a spring afternoon. A great city to visit on a budget, there are plenty of free things to do in Oxford, like wandering around the Ashmolean Museum or window shopping at the covered market.

Derby

Derby is about forty five minutes away from Birmingham by train. Visitors can take a trip to the Derby Museum and Art Gallery, explore Derby Cathedral, or explore the beautiful Peak District for some fresh air and panoramic views.

For families with young children, we also recommend visiting Bluebell Dairy Farm for a day packed with adventurous play. Kids can meet their favourite farm animals, like goats, pigs, and Shetland ponies and get stuck into lots of activities, like go karting and trampolining. It’s a great place to learn about animals and nature.

Best Day Trips Under an Hour Away from Birmingham

Black Country Living Museum

The Black Country Living Museum is located in Dudley, about an hour by train. The attraction offers an immersive experience for visitors, plunging you into an historically-accurate retelling of life in the Industrial Revolution. Birmingham and the West Midlands were at the epicentre of industrial progress around the 19th century as the landscape was rich in natural resources like coal, iron, and limestone. The Black Country had a tainted image during these times, evoking images of roaring factory furnaces and a scorched landscape.

The museum is a great opportunity to learn about these difficult yet transformative times, therefore appreciating the history and heritage of Birmingham. The experience offers the chance to explore an underground drift mine, wander down a 1940s-1960s high street, and take a peek into life inside an old-style cast iron house.

Twycross Zoo

Twycross Zoo is beloved all over the midlands and is the ideal destination for families with small children. There’s the Gruffalo Discovery Land, where little ones can become a ‘Gruffalo Ranger’, where they’ll follow a trail of adventure and collect stamps. There’s also a chance to sing and dance with the Gruffalo himself at the Gruffalo Glade stage. The animals at Twycross Zoo are rich and varied, from cheeky Bonobo’s to the solitary boa constrictor. They take animal conservation incredibly seriously too, with initiatives like supporting the maintenance of ex-situ animal populations, conserving habitats, and championing sustainable change.

Warwick Castle

Warwick Castle is a short train ride from Birmingham Moor Street. This fascinating medieval castle offers a range of activities, like exploring the historically significant rooms to enjoying live jousting tournaments. The beautiful grounds are perfect for a leisurely walk, and there are plenty of attractions for kids too. The also host the UK’s largest bird of prey show, aptly named “The Falconers Quest”. Here, visitors can marvel at the impressive aerial displays of sixty majestic birds, including an Andean Condor and a Bald Eagle, showcasing their incredible skills in the sky.

How to get to Birmingham by train

CrossCountry operates numerous services to Birmingham New Street every day. For those travelling from nearby locations such as Wolverhampton or Coventry, there are frequent direct trains available throughout the day. If you're starting your journey from a more distant location, CrossCountry offers routes from places like Newcastle, Edinburgh Waverley, and even as far south as Penzance.

If you’re planning , don’t forget to book Advance rail tickets via our website or the CrossCountry app. Before you travel, make sure to check scheduled train times to find the best journey for you. If you need more information, you can contact us here.