Kayleigh Watson

As literally every Mancunian is happy to tell you for hours, if not days on end, Manchester is a great place. It has loads of things to do, great places to eat and a huge range of hotels if you're staying over.But just because you never want to leave Manchester, doesn’t mean you can’t pop out for a bit, and with some of the best road and rail links in the country, Manchester is a terrific place for getting out into the countryside and other surrounds without the need of a car. Surrounded by interesting places to visit, from picturesque towns to bracing beaches, here are nine day trips that are all within an hour or so of the city. RECOMMENDED:Best Airbnbs in the Peak District

The UK’s second city is teeming with museums, nightlife and nature, has the cultural chops to back up the claims, and boasts a sprawling web of leafy suburbs to set up home. Trust me, I know it: I’ve spent the last eight years exploring Birmingham’s nooks and crannies, filling my face and dousing my liver at its high-end restaurants, food festivals and indie bars.  I’ve danced to underground bands at Victorian boozers and sung along with star headliners at Symphony Hall. If it’s on this list, I’ve done it. Let me tell you, if Birmingham can win over this staunch northerner, it must be doing something right. Spend a day, spend a week. You’ll have no trouble filling your days. Here are the best things to do in Birmingham.  🍂 Autumn 2024: ‘Welcome to my favourite season here – it’s the perfect time to crunch through the autumn leaves at one of Birmingham’s many gardens, bandstands and nearby country parks.’ –Lauren Potts  RECOMMENDED:😋 The best restaurants in Birmingham🍻 The most charming pubs in Birmingham🛏 The best hotels in Birmingham🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Birmingham This guide was recently updated by Birmingham-based writer Lauren Potts. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

I mean, why wouldn’t I want Stratford-upon-Avon to be my hometown? I’ve been in love with William Shakespeare (okay, his words then) for as long as I can remember. In my (perhaps biased) humble opinion, he’s the coolest wordsmith ever, ‘not of an age, but for all time’. So, it’s inevitable that the town where he was born, lived, and died should make my spine tingle, always.  Stratford-upon-Avon has been my hometown, living in a little village about 20 minutes away, for a lifetime, and I can vividly remember trips with my parents there as a kid. Many of the restaurants we went to are still kicking, and as for the RSC – the master crafters of a Shakespeare play – I’ve lost count of the number of productions I’ve watched, but there’s always another one to see! It’s my number one must-do experience in the world, and it’s right here in Stratford. Ready to see if you love it here as much as I do? Read on for the best things to do in this fabulous town.  🍂 Autumn 2024: I visit the town all year round, but I never fail to get a buzz from sitting by the River Avon in autumn, when the trees on the riverbank turn golden.  RECOMMENDED:🏰 The best things to do in Birmingham🌾 The best things to do in the Cotswolds🚂 The best places to visit in the UK⛰️ The most beautiful places in the UK This guide was recently updated by Caroline Mills, a writer from Stratford-upon-Avon. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about

You’ve arrived in Birmingham and you’re thirsty for a drink – a proper one – but in a city with hundreds of pubs, knowing where to start isn’t just a walk in Cannon Hill Park. But never fear – whether you’ve got a hankering for tasty pub food to devour alongside your pint or you’re keen to sample some funky local ales, you can sip back and relax. Brum has definitely got you covered.  Packed to the rafters with character, history and personality, plenty of these pubs will cater to lazy afternoons with your nose in a book, board game or surrounded by your nearest and dearest. Others double as plush spots to kick-start a good old-fashioned Night Out with live music and original cocktails – we told you this city had you covered. So, Get to know the locals and drink yourself (moderately) silly with our ultimate guide to the best pubs in Birmingham. RECOMMENDED:🍸The best bars in Birmingham🍝The best restaurants in Birmingham🎭The best things to do in Birmingham This list was recently updated by Time Out’s travel editor Grace Beard, who’s from Birmingham. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

The city of Nottingham is undoubtedly most famous for its links to the legend of Robin Hood and his merry men, given its proximity to the actual Sherwood Forest, but did you know it also happens to be the birthplace of Ibuprofen, traffic lights and HP sauce?  Whether those really, really niche topics interest you or not, this midlands city is well worth visiting. From impressive contemporary art collections and gardens which have inspired iconic works of literature to cracking nightlife venues and some really outstanding food, Nottingham is a well-rounded place to spend your weekend. Here’s a roundup of our favourite things to do. RECOMMENDED:🍝The best restaurants in Nottingham🎭The best things to do in the UK🌤️The best road trips in the UK At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

Nottingham is somewhat overlooked when it comes to the go-tos for days out in the UK, but more fool those who pass on this East Midlands marvel. This is the city that inspired Neverland and gave us Robin Hood, afterall, but its excellence doesn’t stop there – it’s got a bounty of outstanding places to eat, too.  All food groups are taken very seriously in Nottingham, and the chefs here take enormous pride in showcasing locally sourced ingredients. Prepare your tastebuds for everything from filthy burgers and sexy (yes, sexy) pasta to Michelin-star magic and huge portions of lovingly crafted desserts. Grab your knife and fork – it’s time to tuck in. RECOMMENDED:🎭The best things to do in Nottingham🍃The best things to do in the UK🌤️The best road trips in the UK🍝The best restaurants in the UK At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

Birmingham might just be Britain’s most exciting food destination right now. This burgeoning city bursts at the seams with creative chefs, great-value restaurants, Michelin-star dining and everything in between. Looking for street food? It’s here. Small plates and natural wines? We’ve got you covered. Even if you’re just looking to dive into a burger and chips, you might find the best one you’ve ever tasted in Brum (in fact, we can promise that one). Here are the best restaurants in Birmingham.  RECOMMENDED:🍺 The best bars in Birmingham📍 The best things to do in Birmingham🍻 The best pubs in Birmingham🛏 The best hotels in Birmingham This guide was recently updated by Birmingham-based food writer Lauren Potts. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

From cultural venues to cracking pubs, Birmingham’s got it all. And its vibrant mix of communities and cultures lends itself to a fabulous food scene too. And what does that mean? Brunch. So much brunch.  No matter what you’re craving, the city’s got you covered. There’s good old-fashioned full Englishes, American-style pancakes covered in maple syrup, and some fresh, fruity granola bowls on offer, so take a look below at our favourite places for breakfast and brunch in Birmingham.  RECOMMENDED:🎭The best things to do in Birmingham🍝The best restaurants in Birmingham🍺The best pubs in Birmingham☕The best coffee shops and cafés in Birmingham This guide was recently updated by Birmingham based food writer Lauren Potts. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

Okay, it is an ambitious way to start, but we’re nothing if not passionate. Is Lincoln the most underrated foodie city in England? It may well be. In fact, this East Midlands marvel is one of the most underrated cities in England full stop, and its quaint cobbled streets and medieval buildings house a fabulous range of restaurants for all tastes. That isn’t an exaggeration, either. Whether you are looking for fine dining fabulousness or something a little more casual, you’ll find it in Lincoln. The city is famous for its pork sausages, Poacher cheese, plum loaf, and beers, but there is a lot more on its menus than those delicious treats. These are the best restaurants in Lincoln; don’t forget the appetite. RECOMMENDED:🌳The best things to do in Lincoln🌤️The best things to do in the UK⛰️The most beautiful national parks in the UK At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

What is the first thing you think about when Leicester comes up in conversation? You might think of crisps, although thinking about crisps is more of a default feature for many of us. You may even think back to the heady days of 2016 and that improbable Premier League win. No matter your first thought, the reality is Leicester will surprise you. Once the second-richest city in Europe and as close to the heart of England as you will find, Leicester is a charming city packed with gorgeous walks, thriving arts, and more history than you can shake the proverbial stick at. The food and drink are pretty fantastic, too, and we’re not just talking about crisps. These are the best things to do in lovely Leicester. RECOMMENDED: 🎭The best things to do in Birmingham🏛️ The best things to do in Nottingham👀 The best things to do in the UK At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.  

Creativity is an integral part of life in Birmingham, and it always has been. Don’t believe us? Get ready to have your socks blown clean off, as the best galleries in Brum are a whirlwind of innovation and boundary-pushing art, the equal of anything found in London, Manchester and the rest. What’s more, many of these magnificent galleries are housed in stunning buildings, impressive works of art in their own right. Whether you are after vast national museums or intimate independent galleries, you’ll find it in spades here. Birmingham might just be the UK’s most underrated city, and its glorious galleries are part of the charge. RECOMMENDED: 😋 The best restaurants in Birmingham🍻 The most charming pubs in Birmingham🛏 The best hotels in Birmingham📍 The best things to do in Birmingham At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

Birmingham is a city that somehow simultaneously fulfils expectations while being delightfully surprising. That trend is true of its bars, an impressive collection of venues that are as much about history and heritage as they are about style and sophistication. The bar scene here tells its own story of Birmingham, a tale that needs to be heard. Sure, most might think of classic Victorian boozers and real ale pubs when they dream of nights out in Birmingham, but Brum does a fine line in colourful cocktails, speciality gins, and innovative craft spots. There is even a zero-waste bar, which happens to be spectacular. Birmingham, your bars are brilliant. RECOMMENDED: 😋 The best restaurants in Birmingham🍻 The most charming pubs in Birmingham🛏 The best hotels in Birmingham📍 The best things to do in Birmingham At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.