Our most recommended things to do in West Midlands

Stratford-upon-Avon: Shakespeare's Birthplace Ticket

1. Stratford-upon-Avon: Shakespeare's Birthplace Ticket

Explore the life of William Shakespeare with a visit to the house where he was born and grew up. Your ticket will be valid for one admission to the property. On entering the house, see the workshop where Shakespeare’s father, John, ran his prestigious glove-making business. Walk through the rooms where William Shakespeare spent his early life.  Shakespeare spent the first five years of his marriage living in this house, the largest house on Henley Street, with his wife Anne Hathaway.  Visit the Beyond Words exhibition and don't miss Shakespeare's Second Folio, the 1632 edition of his collected plays. Don’t forget to scan your smartphone and watch the videos that bring Shakespeare's stories to life.

Stratford-upon-Avon: Shakespeare's Story Entry Ticket

2. Stratford-upon-Avon: Shakespeare's Story Entry Ticket

Discover the people and places that shaped William Shakespeare, the ordinary boy from Stratford-upon-Avon who went on to do extraordinary things. Walk in the footsteps of Shakespeare at the house where he was born. Hear captivating tales from the costumed guides, see live performances by the resident acting troupe, Shakespeare Aloud! and access the Famous Beyond Words exhibition. Relive the Tudor love story between Shakespeare and his bride-to-be at the 600-year old Anne Hathaway's Cottage. See original family furniture, including the four-poster bed and courting couch. Stroll the cottage gardens, heritage orchards and woodland walks. Visit the newest attraction on the Shakespeare trail at New Place, the site where his family home once stood. Meet the man behind the works in a fascinating new exhibition! Discover beautiful gardens and specially-commissioned artworks. Visit the Famous Beyond Words exhibition and don't miss Shakespeare's Second Folio. Explore his father's reputable trade in the glovemaker's workshop. Don’t miss the Giant Wallbook of Shakespeare’s plays brought to life in the order he wrote them.

Warwick Castle: Entry Ticket

3. Warwick Castle: Entry Ticket

Experience 1,100 years of Great British history in one of England's finest medieval fortresses. Spectacular shows and attractions, spellbinding storytelling and exhilarating experiences all year-round. Pledge your allegiance in an epic battle for the English throne and feast your eyes and ears on the giddying ferocity of War of the Roses live, search the skies overhead as free flying Birds of Prey thumping, live action show (on selected dates from May to September). Open 364 days a year, Warwick Castle is ideally located in the heart of the country, and just off Junction 15 of the M40. At around 30 minutes from Birmingham and just over 80 minutes from London, it’s closer than you think.

The Sinister Side of Shakespeare's Stratford Walking Tour

4. The Sinister Side of Shakespeare's Stratford Walking Tour

Hear about the hidden dark side of Stratford-upon-Avon on a thrilling guided walking tour. Learn about the town's infamous witches, hear about famous murders, and keep an eye out for ghosts as you walk through the night. Meet your guide at the corner of Sheep Street and High Street and begin your journey into the macabre. Stroll through the birthplace of Shakespeare and see the town's darker side. As you walk through the streets, listen to exhilarating tales of murder, torture, and plague. Hear about the women accused of witchcraft and learn where the ghosts and even the devil can be spotted.

City Sightseeing Stratford-upon-Avon Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

5. City Sightseeing Stratford-upon-Avon Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

As well as Britain's most famous playwright William Shakespeare and the world-famous Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford is great for a day on the River and then chilling out in the evening in one of the many chic restaurants and bars in the centre of town. Travel to all the Shakespearean Houses: Shakespeare's Birthplace, Anne Hathaway's Cottage, Mary Arden's House, New Place, Nash's House, and Hall's Croft. The Royal Shakespeare Theatre where the Bard's plays are performed for the majority of the year. The Holy Trinity Church where Shakespeare is buried, protected by a cursed tombstone. The Old 15th Century Grammar School where Shakespeare was educated. You also get to enjoy a lovely tour through the scenic Warwickshire countryside, visiting Wilmcote, the village where Mary Arden's House (Shakespeare's mother) can be found. Your Tour Itinerary Stop 1 - Visitor Information Centre, Near Avon Boating Stop 2 - Shakespeare's Birthplace and the Shakespeare Center Stop 3 - Market Square and American Fountain Stop 4 - Shakespeare’s New Place/Harvard House & Guild Chapel Stop 5 - Royal Avon and Royal Shakespeare Theater Stop 6 - Halls Croft, Holy Trinity Church and Shakespeare's Grave Stop 7 - Evesham Place Stop 8 - Alcester Road Stop 9 - Anne Hathaways Cottage Stop 10 - Mary Arden's Farm is closed until September 8th Stop 11 - Maybird Shopping Center

Birmingham: Cadbury World Entry Ticket

6. Birmingham: Cadbury World Entry Ticket

Learn how your favourite confectionery is made, doodle in chocolate and add your favourite treat to a delicious pot of warm melted Cadbury Dairy Milk with this ticket to Cadbury World in Birmingham. Discover the origins of the cocoa bean before jumping onboard the magical Cadabra ride and meeting the infamous Cadbury drumming gorilla. Choose a favorite treat to add to a yummy pot of warm liquid Cadbury Dairy Milk in the Chocolate Making Zone.  Join Freddo and a whole host of Cadbury characters as they whisk you away in the 4D Chocolate Adventure cinema experience, complete with motion seats. Dive into a bowl of liquid Cadbury Dairy Milk, ride the Crunchie Rollercoaster and take to the skies in a Cadbury Creme Egg airship piloted by the Caramel Bunny. 

From London: Cotswolds and Oxford Guided Day-Trip

7. From London: Cotswolds and Oxford Guided Day-Trip

Embark on a full-day guided tour of the English countryside from London. Admire the fairytale houses of the Cotswolds, the historic Oxford University, and the beauty of the English Countryside. Depart London on a full-day tour that takes you west to experience the beauty of the Cotswolds countryside, and the university city of Oxford. Drive through the Cotswolds, as you enjoy views of the lovely landscape and stone villages. A designated area of outstanding natural beauty, this is the English countryside at its finest. We will stop at Bourton-on-the-water and Bibury, the two most loved villages of the Cotswolds. Continue to Oxford to explore the most famous university city in the world. Free-time for lunch in the heart of the city. Take a walk among the college buildings and admire their dreamy spires. Your guide will recommend a walking route that covers the most famous sites, including the Bridge of Sighs and Christchurch Cathedral. Learn about Oxford’s connection with Alice in Wonderland and Harry Potter. Find a great place for a meal (you guide will provide recommendations), or join local scholars and academics over a pint in the city’s most haunted pub. You'll be back in London by 6 in the evening and you can use the London Underground to travel quickly to all areas of London.

Birmingham: National Sea Life Centre Entrance Ticket

8. Birmingham: National Sea Life Centre Entrance Ticket

Prepare for an underwater realm full to the brim with glittering scales, humongous tentacles, and razor-sharp teeth. Marvel at the cheeky antics of the Gentoo penguins before meeting a crab or starfish at the Interactive Rockpool. Discover the majestic jellyfish, be brave and take a peek at the piranhas and feel part of the story in the 4D Cinema. Venture into an underwater realm like no other and get face-to-fin with some of the strangest creatures you’ll ever meet in the UK’s only 360° Ocean Tunnel, home to sharks, rays and a giant green sea turtle!

From Stratford-upon-Avon / Moreton-in-Marsh: Cotswolds Tour

9. From Stratford-upon-Avon / Moreton-in-Marsh: Cotswolds Tour

Join a local driver/guide on a relaxing full-day tour of the Cotswolds National Landscape. Experience the very best of this quintessentially English region on a tour that stops at 6 different and unique locations with ample time built into the day for self-exploration, shopping, and lunch. The tour stops at: • Dover's Hill: the Northern-most Cotswolds viewpoint offering panoramic views out towards Stratford-upon-Avon, Birmingham & Coventry • Chipping Campden: a historic wool town where you have an hour of free time to explore with our unique maps and local recommendations • A secret off-the-beaten-track Cotswolds village (join to find this one out) • Stow-on-the-Wold: your designated lunch stop with a wide range of wonderful food options to choose from  • Bibury: often referred to as the prettiest village in England it's also the home of the iconic Arlington Row of cottages • Bourton-on-the-Water: famed for the crystal clear waters of the River Windrush and the pretty bridges that cross it Between the stops, your driver-guide will tell you the story of the Cotswolds with a fun, fact-filled commentary as you travel the narrow back lanes only the locals know about.

Stratford-upon-Avon: Anne Hathaway's Cottage Entry ticket

10. Stratford-upon-Avon: Anne Hathaway's Cottage Entry ticket

Visit Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, a thatched house nestled in an idyllic cottage garden Located 1.5 miles outside of Stratford-upon-Avon in Shottery, with these entry tickets. See where Shakespeare's bride-to-be Anne Hathaway was born and grew up. Discover the stories of 13 generations of Anne's family who lived here for over 5 centuries. See original family furniture, including the 4-poster Hathaway bed and courting couch, and the family home where Shakespeare would have visited during the early part of their courtship. Once a working farm with barns, livestock, and fields, the homestead has been transformed over time into a beautiful thatched gem with glorious, award-winning gardens. Built more than 500 years ago and extended over the years, much of the original property survives. Explore the famous Shakespeare/Hathaway love story as you walk through acres of beautiful cottage gardens, heritage orchards, woodland walks, and sculpture trails inspired by Shakespeare's plays.

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What people are saying about West Midlands

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 2,690 reviews

What an absolutely amazing, enjoyable experience. My tour guide, Valentina and driver Paul were so warm and welcoming and extremely knowledgeable! Enough time was allowed to enjoy each location as well as freshen up and grab a coffee or lunch. We enjoyed every minute of our trip in their luxury mini bus and were so sad when it ended! Highly recommended.

Our guide, Rosie, was phenomenal! She even made the two hour bus ride fun. Also, our driver was very safe. I was in awe of the beautiful towns we saw. The only thing that would improve the trip was a little more time in Stratford and Oxford.

Go Cotswolds was professional and insightful and provided an all round wonderful experience. Mark was especially a very kind and knowledgeable tour guide. A definite 10/10!!

Our driver Dawn and Guide Katya were fantastic. Katya was very friendly and extremely knowledgeable. We had an amazing time.

we loved everything about the trip. the experience, the history, the places,the people