The county of West Midlands is located in the western central region of England, and became a county in 1974. There are seven distinct boroughs within the county, including Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, and Walsall. This landlocked county has a lot of rich history to explore, as well as many fascinating towns and cities. It is sometimes referred to as the birthplace of heavy metal, with bands such as Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin originating from the area. There are many attractions to visit within the county, such as the Black Country Living Museum, the Birmingham Wheel, the Sea Life Centre, and Dudley Zoo.
Aldridge is a town in Walsall in the West Midlands, and was once a part of the county of Staffordshire. The town has a rich history, and was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. The town was once a heavily industrial one with strong links to the coal mining industry. You can get around with ease, and will find plenty to explore in and around the area, as well as entertainment, shopping facilities, and more. An attractive town, Aldridge has many places of interest close by, such as the New Art Gallery, the Wall Roman Site, and the Bilston Craft Gallery.
Considered to be England's second city, Birmingham has a population of close to one million and is a huge, sprawling city with plenty to offer. Birmingham provides excellent shopping opportunities, is host to many concerts and festivities, has a number of well known concert and event venues such as the NEC and NIA, and offers a range of attractions. You will find museums, galleries, hotels, eateries, bars, and exciting nightlife all on your doorstep when you come here. Some attractions to visit when you visit this city include Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, the Botanical Gardens, the Sea Life Centre, and the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter.
Located in the Dudley region of the West Midlands, Brierley Hill is a large town with a population of around nine and a half thousand. Known for its links with glass and steel manufacturing, this town is still heavily industrialised but also boasts a long and rich history. There are a number of places of interest here, and some of these include the Merry Hill Shopping Centre and the Broadfield House Glass Museum.
Coventry is a city in the West Midlands with a population of over three hundred thousand residents. This vibrant and thriving city is the ninth largest in England, and was also the world's first twin city after twinning with Stalingrad in Russia. There are a number of places of interest to explore when you visit Coventry, including Coventry Cathedral, the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, and the Coventry Transport Museum.
The charming and vibrant town of Dudley is located in the West Midlands, and it offers excellent transport links enabling you to get around to other parts of the country, including Birmingham, with ease. There are a number of hotels in the area, and you will find plenty of places to dine out. Some of the major attractions in this 'Black Country' town include the Black Country Living Museum, which gives a fascinating insight into the roots of the area, and Dudley Zoo. The Merry Hill Shopping Centre is also within easy reach.
A small village in Coventry in the West Midlands, Keresley has a small population of fewer than one thousand residents. The village is split into two parts, and one part is in the West Midlands whilst the other is in the county of Warwickshire. It is through that the origins of the village date back to Saxon times, so there is plenty of history to explore. You can get around and explore with ease, so you can make the most of your time in this charming village, and get to know some of the easy going locals.
The village of Meriden is located in the Solihull Borough of the West Midlands. \With a population of fewer than three thousand residents, this is a place where you can soak up small town charm, and you can get to know more about the traditions and culture of the area through chatting with the friendly locals. You will be able to take in the attractive surrounding countryside, which is known as the Meriden Gap, and you can explore the rich history of the village, which claims to be at the very centre of England.
Oldbury is a small but vibrant town in the West Midlands, and has a population of around eleven thousand residents. This town boasts charm and character, combining modern, state of the art buildings, such as the council house, with old, medieval style buildings such as the town church and a number of notable buildings around the high street. The town offers good transport links, has a range of pubs and eateries to choose from, and is within easy reach of the shops, eateries, hotels, and attractions of the nearby Hagley Road. This is a good base for those that want to travel to Birmingham, but prefer to stay somewhere outside of the big city.
A large town of around ninety five thousand residents, Solihull in the West Midlands is a vibrant place with plenty of character. One of the most prosperous towns in the area, the town lies just nine miles from the city of Birmingham and offers good road and transport links. You can enjoy impressive nightlife here, and there are many pubs and eateries to choose from. Enjoy some retail therapy at the Touchwood Shopping Centre, which offers a host of shops, stores, and restaurants. You can also reach the many attractions of Birmingham with ease.
A large industrial town in the West Midlands, Walsall has a population of around one hundred and seventy five thousand residents. Sometimes considered to be part of the industrial Black Country area, this town offers a range of attractions and sights, as well as amenities such as shopping, dining, and accommodation. Although not mentioned in the Domesday Book there is reference to this town dating back to 1002. The town has a rich history, and there are plenty of places of interest to explore, such as Walsall Arboretum, the New Art Gallery Walsall, the Discovery Gallery, and more.
With a population of around one hundred and thirty seven thousand residents, the town of West Bromwich in the West Midlands is a thriving and bustling one, although its popularity as a local retail hub has diminished over recent years due to larger shopping areas such as Merry Hill and Birmingham. The town is part of the Black Country, and offers excellent road and transport links. There is a long history to explore here, and the town was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. You can get around and explore the surrounding areas, with attractions such as the Black Country Museum, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, and much more within easy reach. You can also enjoy a visit to Sandwell Park Farm, just in the town centre.
