Staffordshire is a historic and culturally rich county in the West Midlands known for its pottery heritage, scenic countryside, castles, and family-friendly attractions.
White Ladies Priory is a historic ruin of a 12th-century Augustinian priory near Brewood, Shropshire, known for its medieval church remains, Romanesque architecture, and its role in the escape of King Charles II. It offers outdoor exploration of the priory ruins and the surrounding historic landscape, with year-round public access.
Boscobel House is a historically significant Grade II* listed building in Shropshire, known for its role in protecting Charles II after the Battle of Worcester in 1651. Visitors can explore timber-framed house interiors with original and Victorian exhibits, extensive formal gardens, and the famous Royal Oak tree on the grounds.
Peak Wildlife Park is a large 75-acre zoo in Staffordshire, England, featuring a diverse range of birds, mammals, and reptiles, including polar bears. It focuses on conservation and education and offers a family-friendly outdoor experience with amenities like a café and gift shop.
The Bull Ring in Birmingham is a major shopping area featuring both traditional open-air markets and a large modern indoor shopping centre known for its unique architecture and historic market roots. It houses many shops and restaurants, including a landmark Selfridges store, and offers attractions and dining options suitable for families and visitors of all ages.
The Roundhouse in Birmingham is a rare Victorian industrial heritage site featuring a crescent-shaped former depot and stables, now hosting tours including kayaking, cycling, and walking on the adjacent canal, along with business enterprise spaces.
Sudbury Hall is a historic Restoration-era English country house in Derbyshire with a renowned Great Staircase and fine art collection, featuring a National Trust Museum of Childhood that offers interactive and child-friendly exhibits within its restored interiors and surrounding grounds.
9–12 Oct, 16 Oct–2 Nov
Follow a trail inspired by The Very Hungry Caterpillar, spotting fruits and snacks and discovering facts about the caterpillar-to-butterfly transformation. The trail includes games and activities around the stable-yard and gardens.
Grand Central is a large indoor shopping centre located above Birmingham New Street Station, featuring over 60 stores and a modern atrium roof, connected to the Bullring shopping centre forming the UK's largest city centre shopping complex.
Coopers Square is an indoor shopping centre in Burton upon Trent featuring 70 stores including major anchors Primark and Marks & Spencer, with a cafe and ample parking facilities.
Burton upon Trent is a historic market town in Staffordshire, England famed for its brewing industry, rich history, and vibrant cultural scene, offering visitors markets, theatres, breweries and riverside landmarks.
Telford Centre is a large indoor shopping centre in Shropshire, England, featuring over 175 stores, a ten-screen cinema, and family-friendly attractions like the Telford Time Machine clock. It is well accessible by car and public transport, with substantial parking and step-free access throughout.
10 Oct, 4 Nov…
A full-day embroidery workshop with Amanda Carter at Sunnycroft, where participants learn or practise needlework techniques and create an embroidery piece. Materials, tuition, lunch and an opportunity to view Sunnycroft’s embroidery collection are included.
Telford is a planned new town in Shropshire, England, known for its strong industrial heritage and proximity to the Ironbridge Gorge UNESCO World Heritage Site. It features a bustling town centre with shopping, cultural amenities, and extensive parkland, surrounded by historic towns and scenic landscapes.
Merry Hill is a large indoor shopping centre in Brierley Hill, England, offering over 200 shops, a cinema, and a food court. It features a marina area with bars and restaurants and extensive free parking. The centre is family-friendly with a variety of food options and entertainment facilities.
Dudley is a historic market town in the West Midlands known for its castle ruins, zoo, industrial heritage, and vibrant cultural scene. It features museums, theatres, and walking-friendly canals.
Little Moreton Hall is a historic 16th-century half-timbered moated manor house near Congleton, Cheshire. It features well-preserved Tudor architecture, extensive gardens, and a famous Long Gallery. Visitors can explore the restored house interiors, enjoy the gardens, and dine in the on-site restaurant, making it a comprehensive historic and outdoor experience.
7–11 Oct, 14–18 Oct…
A free spotter activity at Little Moreton Hall invites visitors to look for the wolf on the Moreton family crest and find wolves hidden around the hall and courtyard.
Mailbox Birmingham is a mixed-use development in Birmingham city centre featuring luxury shopping, BBC studios with an accessible public area, restaurants by the canal, office spaces, hotels, and a cinema, offering a modern indoor urban experience.
The Mander Centre is a prominent indoor shopping centre located in Wolverhampton City Centre, featuring a wide variety of stores including major department anchors, dining options, and entertainment facilities suitable for families and children.
16 Oct (next Friday)
A photography workshop at Wightwick Manor and Gardens for learners and intermediate photographers, with guidance and support to develop their photography skills. Participants should bring their own camera.
Kinver Edge is a historic heath and woodland escarpment on the Staffordshire-Worcestershire border, featuring England's last inhabited rock houses open for tours, Iron Age hillforts, and scenic walking and biking trails through diverse natural habitats.
Ilam Park is a 158-acre National Trust country park in Staffordshire featuring the historic Ilam Hall, a Gothic Revival style Grade II* listed building now used as a youth hostel, set amid ancient woodland and scenic river walks.
Wightwick Manor is a Victorian era Arts and Crafts house near Wolverhampton, showcasing original William Morris designs and a significant Pre-Raphaelite art collection, set in 17 acres of gardens and woodland with an additional De Morgan Gallery in the adjoining Old Manor. It is owned by the National Trust and open to the public with a café and shops onsite.
Moseley Old Hall is a historic house and museum in Staffordshire, notable as a hiding place of Charles II during his escape in 1651. Visitors can explore the restored early 17th-century hall with period furniture and an enclosed 17th-century-style garden, all managed by the National Trust.
7 Oct–8 Nov (another 30 days)
An exhibition at Wightwick Manor explores the artistic and literary legacy of the Rossetti family and their circle, featuring new acquisitions, rediscovered drawings and rarely seen works. It examines the family’s relationships, upbringing and creative work.
Potteries Shopping Centre is a large indoor shopping mall in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, featuring over 90 stores, a historic market hall, and an adjacent outdoor leisure complex with restaurants and a cinema. It offers a comprehensive retail and leisure experience for visitors.
Shugborough Hall is a Grade I listed historic stately home and museum in Staffordshire, England, featuring opulent 18th-century interiors, a working model farm, rare farm animals, and notable follies with classical and Chinese themes in extensive grounds.
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
An exhibition of recently conserved watercolours explores Thomas Anson’s vision for Shugborough Estate, including paintings of its monuments by Nicholas Dall, Moses Griffith and Edward Jones.
Martineau Place is a central Birmingham shopping centre offering diverse shops, restaurants, and bars within an indoor setting alongside a pedestrian route. The venue includes a hotel and is conveniently located near public transport.