With the summer fast approaching, and our travel options still severely limited, many of us will be gearing up for a staycation. To keep you entertained over the summer, in this week’s blog we round up some of our favourite local hidden gems for you to explore.
Halfpenny Green Wine Estate & Airport
Yes, we make wine in the West Midlands, and it’s actually rather good! But Halfpenny Green is much more than a winery, with a well-stocked farm shop, enormous wine loft with a huge selection of spirits and wines, and a lovely balcony with far ranging views to sip them on. There is a well-regarded restaurant, and a shopping village with a whole range of shops with an emphasis on artisan crafts. Right at the bottom of the shopping village there is even a zoo. Yes, a proper zoo! You can spend a happy couple of hours at Wild if you time it right, as they offer animal handling and talks, as well as lemur and wallaby walk-throughs, alongside the more traditional zoo exhibits.
When you’re done with the wine estate, a short hop down the road is the airport which you can drive straight into and park right next to the runway for free! You can visit the café and sit on the grass to watch the planes and helicopters take off, or just watch from the comfort of your own car. In short, Halfpenny Green really does have something for everyone!
Walton Hill
Part of the Clent Hills range, Walton Hill is one of the quieter spots for walkers to enjoy, probably because the car park doesn’t have all the facilities that the one at the more touristy end has! A short, steep walk from the car park brings you up to a flat ridge with breathtaking views. Ideal for a picnic, there is plenty of space for children to run around, and even a few good climbing trees. Adults will marvel at the logistics that must have been involved to build a house on top of the hill, and the walk down the cobbled lane past the house has an atmospheric fairytale-like feel that everyone will enjoy.
Lichfield
Ok, ok, Lichfield isn’t really ‘hidden’ but within this tiny city are many treasures waiting to be discovered. You could start your day with a stroll round Stowe Pool, and then head through the cathedral close (dropping in to the cathedral if that’s your thing), before either heading off to the shops or, if you have children heading across the road to Beacon Park which has what is arguably the best children’s play facilities in the West Midlands, including a full on, lifesize pirate ship! For rainier days, or just to keep the kids entertained, Erasmus Darwin’s House and the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum both have excellent children’s trails, historic toys and games, and dressing up facilities. You haven’t lived until you’ve seen a toddler wearing a Georgian wig. For food options head to Mediterranean restaurant Ego overlooking Minster Pool, or gastropub The Hedgehog a little further out of town. If you’re heading back towards Birmingham at the end of your day, a stop at Heart of the Country Shopping Village is a must with many bargains to be had at retail outlets such as Seasalt and Osprey, and even a creperie for an afternoon snack.
Stratford Greenway
We like to think of Stratford in the West Midlands as ‘the best’ Stratford (apparently there is another Stratford in London which hosted some kind of sporting tournament a few years ago?) A former railway line, Stratford Greenway is now a multi-use trail and part of the National Cycle Route network. You can take your bike, or hire one at the start of the 5.5 mile route, or simply choose to stroll along instead. Two cafes housed in old railway carriages along the route will keep you going – try their breakfast options if you want a really hearty meal!
Lord Leycester Hospital
Situated in the heart of Warwick, the Lord Leycester Hospital will be familiar to fans of Shakespeare and Hathaway as one of the filming locations for the hit BBC drama. But this building is worth a visit in its own right, with a fascinating history and lots of architectural interest, as well as a beautiful garden. The Brethren’s Kitchen café has been awarded the Good Food Award Gold Seal, and does a particularly smashing afternoon tea.
Brinton Park Splash Pad & Droitwich Lido
If you’re hankering after the seaside, there are two great places in the West Midlands to get your splash on. The splash pad at Brinton Park in Kidderminster is great for the kids, with slides, water guns, and a whole host of other watery features – but be prepared for just how wet you will get if you get too close. There are plenty of picnic tables for adults to observe from a safe distance, but not much shade, so pack the suncream or take a brolly!
Droitwich Lido is a slightly more relaxed option for water-based fun, with an onsite café, and a pool with a lifeguard in which it is possible to actually properly swim, as well as a mini splash pad at one end. Not just a good day out for swimmers, the lido is part of the region’s heritage, and is one of the last remaining inland open-air salt-water swimming pools.
Rowheath Park
Tucked away at the back of Bournville is a park beloved of local parents for its excellent café, wide open spaces for running around, duck-feeding opportunities, and an epic adventure playground, as well as a very good under-5’s play area. There are even toilet facilities meaning you can stay all day!
