A paid collaboration with National Express West Midlands.
Another year is here and living in the West Midlands has never been better. A wealth of attractions, places to visit and events that people will travel far and wide to see; including Birmingham Commonwealth Games and Coventry City of Culture events.
There is going to be something for everyone (from free days out, to those that you might need to save a bit for) and we thought we would help you to make 2022 a year to remember by putting some of our top picks in this post and what’s even better is we are making the choices places that are accessible by National Express West Midlands, so everyone, regardless of if you drive or not, can access them.
Gone are the days where you had to have change for the bus (although you can still pay this way if you prefer), now you can pay by contactless debit card for a day saver or single fare or you can download their https://nxbus.co.uk/west-midlands/mticket app on your mobile that enables you to purchase other ticket types at bargain prices including a group day saver which for up to 6 people, costs less than 2 people getting a day saver each. Pretty amazing, I think.
National Express West Midlands have a great way to work out your journeys by using their Journey Planner (https://nxbus.co.uk/west-midlands/plan-your-journey) . Enter your start address and where you would like to go to and a list of buses and times will be shown. So easy to use.
So, where do we recommend visiting in 2022?
In and around the Birmingham area;
Birmingham Commonwealth Games Dates: 28th July to 8th August 2022
What to expect: 11 days of swimming and diving, 8 days of cricket, 8 days of gymnastics and 7 days of athletics including the marathon. Summer 2022 is sure to be one to remember. With a total of 286 sessions across 19 different sports and 8 different locations, there is plenty to book on to.
Prices: Various depending on event and seat choices.
More details here: https://www.birmingham2022.com/
Bus Routes; Alexander Stadium (x51 or 51), Arena Birmingham (23 Platinum), Cannock Chase Forest (x51 from Birmingham to Cannock Bus Station, then a Chaserider bus, number 23), Coventry Stadium and Arena (X1 Platinum to Coventry and then a Number 3 National Express Coventry), Edgbaston Stadium (45), The NEC (X1 Platinum) and Sandwell Aquatics Centre (89)
Winterbourne House and Gardens,
What to expect: Experience an Edwardian historic house and garden nestled in a leafy corner of Birmingham. Stunning grounds, bridges to walk over, wooden paths to follow, stepping stones in frog filled water to jump over (or in?), a lake to sit peacefully and look out on and a number of greenhouses to look in. The cacti house was a firm favourite of mine.
Finish your visit with a look in the gift shop or the large second-hand book shop with plenty for all tastes. They also have a Café on the terrace serving delicious looking (and tasting) cakes and drinks. You can also look around the house and find out the history that surrounds it.
More details here: https://www.winterbourne.org.uk/
Bus route: X21 from Birmingham City Centre
Aston Hall
What to expect: “Arrive Amazed, Leave Astonished” is Aston Halls Motto and it is correct.
Such a stunning building with a wealth of history. “Aston Hall is a magnificent seventeenth century red-brick mansion and is one of the last great houses built in the Jacobean style. A home that received royalty, was besieged during the English Civil War and inspired an author”. It may well be the most beautiful building in Birmingham. Visit the Café and shop or take a picnic to enjoy in the extensive grounds.
More details here: https://www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/aston
Bus route: 7 from Birmingham City Centre
Cannon Hill Park
What to expect: Labelled Birmingham’s best day out, Cannon Hill Park has something for everyone. Ride the land train, play on the Golden Putter (mini golf), how many rides can you manage at the Fun Park? Ride a swan boat across the picturesque lake and take a walk around the impressive grounds, full of colour, whatever the season. With two outdoor play areas for children, Midlands Arts Centre with their cinema, theatre and café and Birmingham Wildlife Centre located next door, your day out here will be one to remember.
More details here: http://www.cannonhillpark.co.uk/
Bus route: 45 from Birmingham City Centre
Thinktank Science Museum
What to expect: Full of science, technology, history and a brilliant place for an educational trip where children (and adults) can learn whilst having fun. Play with robots in a section where you can learn all about the future. Explore Mini Brum (a superb indoor role play area for under 8’s). Discover how the body works with a fun interactive section. Delve into Birmingham’s thriving manufacturing industry and find out why it was named ‘Workshop of the World’. Look out for the spitfire and become a mechanic as you help assemble a Mini. Watch the world’s oldest steam engine ‘ the Smethwick Engine’ in action. Marvel at the Triceratops and find out about our changing planet. Explore the lockdown exhibition, new for 2022 and visit the Planetarium.
More details here: https://www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/thinktank
Bus Route: 23 from Birmingham City Centre or walk
Digbeth
What to expect: Think amazing street art, talented local creators, cute independent stores. With the Mockingbird Cinema showing classics, tasty food from the likes of BaHa Vegan, Virtual Reality games at Inaboxinaboxinabox and every child’s favourite superhero or cartoon character to be found on the walls of Digbeth, this is a great choice for a casual day out. Don’t forget to stop off at Redbrick Market too for some local goodies.
More details here: https://digbeth.com/
Bus Route: 97 from Birmingham City Centre
Bear Grylls
What to expect: Where else in Birmingham can you swim with sharks? Bear Grylls Adventure has a variety of exciting things to do, whether you like your feet firmly on the group and would prefer archery, shooting or the escape room or maybe you are a climber and would enjoy the high ropes course complete with zip line or an assault course. Are you a fan of the water and would like to snorkel or swim with sharks? Or do you fancy your chance at flying in the Midlands only i-fly? Whatever you choose, you will be going home with lots to tell your friends and family.
More details here: https://www.beargryllsadventure.com/
Bus Route: X1 platinum from Birmingham City Centre
Ackers Adventure
What to expect: A plethora of fun and exciting activities for you to enjoy from ages 2 upwards. The school holiday sessions here are amazing and it would be the perfect venue for a Birthday Party too. With activities such as; Archery, Bellboating, Bushcraft, Canoeing and Kayaking, Climbing and Abseiling, Disc Golf, Orienteering, Skiing, Snowboarding, Tobogganing and Tubing, Tower drop and Zipwire. As it is run by a charity, all of the prices are really affordable and they have something for every budget.
More details here: https://www.ackers-adventure.co.uk/
Bus Route: 4a from Birmingham City Centre
In and around the Dudley area;
Leasowes Park
What to expect: A diverse landscape of wooded valleys, open grasslands, lakes and streams created by Shenstone that makes the site so important for wildlife. The site has been managed with nature in mind since the mid-18th Century and as such provides a wealth of different habitats for birds, mammals, invertebrates and locally uncommon plant species. You’ll find a play area for children, waterfalls, streams, bridges and plenty of natural play. Perfect to visit any time of year but especially in the summer.
More details here: https://www.dudley.gov.uk/things-to-do/nature-reserves/the-leasowes/
Bus Route: X10 from Birmingham
Saltwells Nature Reserve
What to expect: One of the UK’s largest urban nature reserves with the biggest woodland in the borough, carpeted with bluebells in spring and home to probably the largest sculpture park in the West Midlands. With trees to climb, the sculptures to find and an array of wildlife this makes the perfect winter family walk.
More details here: https://www.dudley.gov.uk/things-to-do/nature-reserves/saltwells-national-nature-reserve/
Bus Route: Number 7 from Dudley Town Centre
Wrens Nest
What to expect: Do you have a little one who loves collecting things? Then I’d recommend visiting Wrens Nest a geological site of special interest in Dudley (one of the most important geological sites in the UK). A National Nature Reserve and scheduled Ancient Monument, this is a great place to come for a walk and explore – home to a number of species of birds and locally rare flora such as Scabiosa columbaria (small scabious), milkwort and quaking grass. The caverns are also a nationally important hibernation site for seven different species of bat.
It is said it is easy to find part of fossils here as they have so many and thankfully they were right as both my girls managed to find some to bring home. You’re allowed to take them from the site but asked not to take too many.
It’s a great place for a walk and explore with a free car park too, it makes a great free family trip out. Pushchairs could get to the rocks but I’d advise not to do the Nature Reserve walk with one as its full of steps. There are no toilet facilities.
More details here: https://www.dudley.gov.uk/things-to-do/nature-reserves/wrens-nest-national-nature-reserve/
Bus Route: X8 from Dudley Town Centre
Sycamore Adventure
What to expect: An amazing outdoor and indoor adventure playground offering a wide range of play structures, play equipment, sensory room, soft play and a café. A brilliant choice for a safe, family day out, where children can run around freely.
More details here: https://www.sycamoreadventure.co.uk/
Bus Route: 2 from Dudley Town Centre
Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust
What to expect: Voyage underground and discover 428 million years of history as you explore the museum and ride on a canal boat hearing about the local history.
More details here: https://dudleycanaltrust.org.uk/
Bus Route: X8 Platinum from Birmingham or 11 from Dudley Town Centre
In and around the Solihull area;
Sheldon Country Park
What to expect: 300 acres of greenery including a little farm with pigs, a play area and a place to sit and picnic whilst watching the planes fly over. A great place to visit for any plane enthusiast.
More details here: https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/sheldonpark
Bus Route: 72 from Solihull Town Centre
Shirley Social Sunday 6th March 2022 at Shirley Park, 10am to 6pm
What to expect: Supporting local businesses & traders from the region PLUS local street food vendors, bars & musicians, helping to create the perfect ambience for your Sunday.
More details here: https://visitsolihull.co.uk/event/shirley-social-shirley-park/
Bus Route: 4a from Solihull Town Centre
Solihull Summer Fest 2022, Tudor Grange Park 23rd to 24th July 2022
What to expect: A two-day event running from midday to 10.30pm – offering the people of Solihull the opportunity to experience the fun and excitement of a festival within their own town. Day one is focused on Mainstream Commercial/Pop Acts to create a very fun family orientated event. Day two is 80s band focused with support from local bands
More details here: https://www.facebook.com/Solihullsummerfest/
Bus Route: Walk from Solihull Town Centre
NEC
What to expect: With events such as Crufts (10th-13th March), The Baby Show (13th-15th May), BBC Gardeners World Live and BBC Good Food Show (16th-19th June), and The Big Bang Event (date TBC) the NEC holds a number of fabulous family friendly shows and events to attend.
More details here: https://thenec.co.uk/whats-on/
Bus Route: X2 Platinum from Solihull Town Centre and then X1 Platinum
In and around the Walsall area;
Chasewater Country Park
What to expect: Home to a 90-hectare reservoir, Chasewater is a perfect trip out with the family. With plenty of green open space, a brand new childrens playground, an outdoor gym, mini golf in the summer and picnic benches overlooking the reservoir, you can spend a lovely morning or afternoon here.
The new playground is perfect for children aged 2 to 10. With swings slides and climbing frames. In honour of Chasewater Railway (which you can also access from the country park – keep following the lane and you’ll come to it) they’ve made a toddler toy train for children to sit on.
More details here: https://www.enjoychasewater.co.uk/
Bus Route: 10 from Walsall Town Centre
Aldridge Transport Museum
What to expect: A local hidden treasure where you can spend as little or as long as you like exploring the legacy of road transport in the West Midlands. See an old-fashioned Austin A40 Ice cream truck in the most beautiful pale green colour, a bright red 1960s AEC Routemaster R2RH Bus and the original 1906 Tram from Birmingham Corporation Tramways. There are many modes of transport to see, from bicycles to milk trucks, to buses and coaches. A great place to have a meander and support this local Charity run by the loveliest volunteers. Rumour has it that they may be running one of their events in July where you can ride the buses around the local area as part of your entry fee.
More details here: http://www.amrtm.org/
Bus Route: 7 from Walsall Town Centre
Walsall Arboretum
What to expect: A perfect place to visit whatever season but Summer is a particular favourite of mine here. Bring your swimming costumes and run through the splash pad in the summer months, ride the land train, let the children play on the extensive adventure play area, the skate park, walk around the lakes and enjoy a coffee and cake in the café. With a wealth of wildlife and over 10,000 different species of trees and shrubs, this is a lovely place to spend some time. Look out for the most magnificent spray of poppies in June.
More details here: https://go.walsall.gov.uk/parks_and_green_spaces/visit_our_parks_and_play_areas/walsal_arboretum
Bus Route: Walkable from Walsall Town Centre
Walsall Arena
What to expect: Walsall Arena has a wealth of fantastic shows, events and acts. Coming up in 2022 you can see shows like Dinosaur Adventure Live! (13th April).
More details here: https://www.walsallarena.com/whats-on/
Bus Route: 32 from Walsall Town Centre
In and around the Wolverhampton area;
Perton Park Golf Club
What to expect: Jurassic golf course featuring 18 specially designed holes. Along the course you get to see a variety of escaped dinosaurs (Spinosaurus, Triceratops, Stegosaurus and an Anchisaurus to name a few) and many dinosaur eggs – let’s hope they do not hatch whilst you are there!
More details here: https://www.wolverhamptonadventuregolf.co.uk/
Bus Route: 10 from Wolverhampton
British Art Show 9
What to expect: 22nd Jan to 10th April, Wolverhampton Art Gallery becomes the home for The British Art Show, a landmark touring exhibition that celebrates the vitality of recent art made in Britain. Organised every five years by Hayward Gallery Touring the exhibition brings the work of artists defining new directions in contemporary art to four cities across the UK.
More details here: https://britishartshow9.co.uk/
Bus Route: Walking distance from Wolverhampton Bus Station
Wolverhampton Grand
What to expect: Admired by performers and audiences alike for its intimate three-tiered Victorian auditorium, the Grand is a real family friendly venue with a variety of shows throughout the year. With shows like Peppa Pig (12th and 13th Feb), David Walliams Gangsta Granny (23rd-26th Feb), Justin Live! (13th Mar), and Disney’s Bedknobs and Broomsticks (5th-9th Apr) they have shows for all ages
More details here: https://www.grandtheatre.co.uk/
Bus Route: Walking distance from Wolverhampton Bus Station
Bantock House Museum
What to expect: Bantock House is a hidden treasure set within 43 acres of parkland and surrounded by delightful formal gardens. With a café and a play area, it is a perfect place for a spring time visit. Keep your eye out for local art events too. The house is well worth a visit for young families: Discover the history of Wolverhampton in the period of the former Bantock family home. Each room caters for little ones with dressing up sections, books, a puppet to move and then there is the old Day Nursery room which is especially for children to play in including; a dolls house, building blocks, wooden Noahs Arc, giant mirror for the dressing up rail and treasure chest of clothes and a number of puppets. My favourite bit was the mural of Victorian Wolverhampton which provided an insight into the lives of less fortunate children, with quirky little doors in the wall to open.
More details here: https://www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk/visit/bantock/
Bus Route: 3 from Wolverhampton
Crafty Kids Café Penn
What to expect: Crafty Kids Café is a great place for parents and young children go to play, craft, relax, meet friends old and new, all in a very child friendly setting.
More details here: https://www.facebook.com/craftkidscafepenn/
Bus Route: 15 from Wolverhampton
In and around the Coventry area;
Coventry City of Culture
What to expect: Coventry is where movement began, from innovation in the transport industry to a history of activism. Coventry has moved people for centuries. Celebrate Coventry by attending the wealth of Coventry City of Culture events, music, dance, theatre, and large-scale spectacles.
More details here: https://coventry2021.co.uk/
Bus Route: Various locations but all accessible by public transport. Please use the journey planner.
Herbert Art Gallery
What to expect: The perfect place to delve into Coventry’s history and engage with art and culture. The permanent galleries range from the Visual Arts to Social and Industrial History, Archaeology and Natural History – there is something for every visitor. As well as the art gallery’s ever-changing displays which are often created in partnership with national museums, the Herbert offers a wide range of detailed talks, fantastic events and inventive workshops for adults and families. The Herbert Art Gallery encourages creativity, exploration and fun.
More details here: https://www.theherbert.org/
Bus Route: Walking distance from Coventry Bus Station
Coventry Transport Museum
What to expect: The Museum’s current collection of vehicles is acknowledged as being one of the finest in the world, and the largest in public ownership. Perfect for families to explore the history of transport with interactive exhibitions.
More details here: https://www.transport-museum.com/
Bus Route: Situated in the centre of Coventry
Belgrade Theatre
What to expect: The Belgrade Theatre is a place to be entertained and inspired. Share your stories and unleash your creativity. Showcasing an eclectic programme of drama, music and entertainment.
More details here: https://www.belgrade.co.uk/
Bus Route: Located in the centre of Coventry
We hope 2022 is full of fun adventures for you. Do remember to come over and follow us on our social media channels and tag us in your posts and visits.
Lots of love,
Small House Big Trips
xx