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Summer in the Midlands doesn’t mean staying in the city. Within 30 minutes of Birmingham’s centre, you’ll find lakeside parks, riverside walks, pottery studios and farm shops that make for proper days out rather than quick visits.
Whether you want to spend an afternoon painting pottery in Kings Heath, walking through an 18th-century designed landscape in Halesowen, or picking your own strawberries near Wolverhampton, these ten spots offer the kind of low-key activities that feel special without requiring much planning.
Plan HeavyUpdated 24 Jul
Spotted by @bethcari
Lakeside gastropub serving elevated British classics beside Bracebridge Pool in historic Sutton Park.
Why it made the list: The Bracebridge sits beside Bracebridge Pool in Sutton Park with proper food and a thoughtful drinks list. The setting alone makes it worth the drive north.
Grade I historic landscape with woodland, lakes and walking trails designed by poet William Shenstone in the 1740s.
Why it made the list: The Leasowes is a Grade I historic landscape designed by poet William Shenstone in the 1740s. The woodland, lakes and trails feel genuinely wild despite being minutes from the suburbs.
Pottery painting studio with a relaxed vibe, bisque-fired items and a vast glaze selection.
Why it made the list: Coated Pottery in Kings Heath lets you paint bisque-fired pieces with a vast glaze selection in a relaxed studio space. No experience needed and prices are reasonable.
Beautifully preserved Edwardian villa and botanic garden with 6,000+ plant species across seven acres, including walled gardens, glasshouses and Arts and Crafts styling.
Why it made the list: Winterbourne House is an Edwardian villa with six thousand plant species across seven acres, including walled gardens and glasshouses. The setting is genuinely special and there's a good cafe.
22-acre Victorian park hosting the free annual CoCoMAD festival in July with music, food, circus skills and crafts.
Why it made the list: Cotteridge Park hosts CoCoMAD each July with music, food traders, circus skills and crafts. Even outside the festival, it's a proper Victorian park with space to move.
Brazilian superfood café serving customizable açai bowls and smoothies, open all week.
Why it made the list: Açai and the Tribe in Leamington serves customizable Brazilian superfood bowls and smoothies in a cafe that actually feels welcoming rather than trying too hard.
Industrial-chic taproom and cafe hybrid, porridge by day, craft beer by night.
Why it made the list: The Courtyard in Harbourne is part taproom, part cafe with good porridge in the morning and craft beer by night. The industrial space doesn't show age.
Aussie-inspired brunch and speciality coffee spot serving flat whites, seasonal brunch dishes, and rotating guest beans.
Why it made the list: Brondi does Aussie-style brunch with proper flat whites and seasonal dishes. The coffee rotates guest beans and the food is the kind of thing you actually want to eat.
Gentle riverside walk along the River Avon through Big Meadow, starting from the historic medieval bridge.
Why it made the list: The Bidford-on-Avon walk follows the River Avon through Big Meadow starting from the medieval bridge. It's flat, straightforward and feels removed from the A roads.
Family-run farm with pick-your-own strawberries and pumpkins, plus farm shop, butchery and restaurant.
Why it made the list: Essington Fruit Farm lets you pick strawberries and pumpkins depending on season, then browse the farm shop or eat in the restaurant. It's the kind of place that justifies an afternoon trip.
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Listed by Sir Plan A'Lot
