Interesting places around Birmingham that are easy to drive into.

[WhatDoRacoonsSay]

I'm looking for somewhere to stay for 1-3 nights in September that's either interesting in it's own right, or has easy public transport into Birmingham.
It's part of a longer trip-Glasgow to Bristol and back, and I hate driving in big cities.
Just me, no kids, limited budget, enjoy museums, interesting towns, local food.

Stratford? Warwick?

Lichfield is wonderful and an easy train ride from New Street. Earning a real name for itself as a foodie destination with 2 Michelin starred restaurants and plenty other offerings. Beautiful cathedral, some museums including one relating to their famous son Samuel Johnson.

Black Country Museum.

Black Country Living Museum is where I always recommend.

Lichfield is lovely, and it’s easily and quickly reachable by train from New St.

Oh that could work.
I should have also said that I don't want to veer too far from the M5, and I'm actually quite keen to go to Birmingham, just do not want to drive in.
I'm staying in Wolverhampton on the way down to vist a friend, so could perhaps do Bham from there.

Not sure my budget stretches to Michelin star, I was thinking more orange chips and a good Balti!

Another vote for Lichfield. Vibrant indie city centre, Samuel Johnson museum plus Erasmus Darwin House and garden. Cathedral is gorgeous, Wall roman site just outside, Cannock Chase 20 minutes away for a dose of outdoors. 40 minutes into Birmingham, 30 minutes off the M5.

A third vote for Lichfield. Plenty of food choices to suit budgets!

Plenty of good price eateries too. Poquito for tapas, Mangia Mangia for amazing Italian deli and drinks, Bistro 1709 for French style deals. City is full of great places to eat. Fair few craft breweries too.

Well that was easier than I thought, thank you, you're all great, Lichfield it is.

So far it's Glasgow, Blackpool, Wolverhampton, Bristol, Lichfield, Chester, Glasgow.
Will be including trips to Birmingham and Liverpool.

I’m going to recommend a fabulous coffee shop called Melbourne, the coffee is very good and they sell the most delicious home bakes, both sweet and savoury.

During the pandemic our weekly sanity saving treat was to get a coffee and cake from there and walk across to Beacon Park to sit and enjoy it all.

I don't actually like coffee, but I do drink tea, so I'll note it down, thank you.
Any food/drink recommendations for the above places would be good too, I'm more looking for wee local places rather than great restaurants, because budget!
I would like a great balti though, and orange chips.

I really like Street food places, Food trucks, and even local specialities that Greggs sell!

Ooh Chester! If you do ‘The Rows’ and the main pedestrian walkway of Watergate Street, there’s a cracking cheese shop up a side pedestrian walkway called The Cheese Wedge and they have free samples of every single cheese they do (50+). We bought 5 ‘wedges’ of different cheeses just recently for £14. Worked out cheaper that a couple of large packs of Cathedral Cheddar!

If you’re staying in Wolvo then the Black Country living museum is an absolute no brainer.

Oh and the ‘market’ has loads of different street food vendors as well!

Whitwick manor in Wolverhampton is lovely. As is Mosley old hall. Both national trust.

Cheese 🧀 is my favourite food, the stinkier the better.

I've just googled it and it looks brilliant, similar to Beamish, it's a definite on my list, thank you.

I mean you can get those too - I just mentioned them as part of how it's becoming a real foodie destination.

It's appreciated, I just can't afford it atm.

What are orange chips 🤔

Battered chips - black country delicacy 😀

Lichfield is lovely but other side of Brum to Wolves. Definitely go into Birmingham though.

Bridgnorth might be worth considering..v pretty. Near to Wolves. Steam train down the Severn valley. The funicular railway is cute too. Steam train museum is a stop off at Highley and there's an excellent pub on the river.

Kenilworth Castle is a nice National Trust property southeast of Birmingham