One of the best things about living in Birmingham is being so close to some of the most beautiful and picturesque places in the country. There are five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) within a two-hour drive from the city centre, each offering great walks and breathtaking views.
These make for great adventures with kids, great locations for photo shoots, romantic walks, and inspiration for art. Cannock Chase, the Cotswolds, Malvern Hills, Shropshire Hills and Wye Valley are all within driving distance of Birmingham.
Whether you want to take a day trip from the city, visit some special sights or stop by a cozy pub for Sunday lunch, we’ve got you covered. We’ve highlighted some of his great days here, including his must-see AONB.
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Here, we will look at the characteristics of each. First, this photo gallery will give you some truly amazing snapshots of these amazing regions.
cannock chase
Boasting a wealth of woodland walks, orienteering trails and cycle paths, Cannock Chase is just 45 minutes’ drive from Birmingham city centre, making it the perfect choice for a great day out from Birmingham. This former medieval hunting ground has it all, with a play area for the kids, an activity trail for dogs, and a high ropes course for the brave souls.
There are 46 National Landscapes in the UK, and these spaces are marked as being of national importance. Cannock Chase is the smallest, at just 26 square miles, but it still has plenty of places worth shouting about.
The heathland here is a designated Special Protection Area and is home to endangered wildlife such as nightjars, bracken, common spotted crickets and bushbush crickets. It also includes Cannock Chase Berry! Keep an eye out for wild deer and a 400-year-old oak tree.
cotswolds
At 790 square miles, the Cotswolds offers plenty of variety and fun to explore. From cute little villages to charming towns, forest walks and ancient monuments.
If walking is your thing, explore the 3,000 miles of public footpaths surrounding the area, including the 162-mile Cotswold Way National Trail. Enjoy Roman ruins, historic battlefields, river valleys, and more.
Stop by some truly magical little hamlets such as Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, Chipping Campden and Castle Combe. The Cotswold lands have been worked and farmed for 6,000 years, so the local produce is amazing. Enjoy cozy pubs and restaurants like The Old Butchers in Stow-on-the-Wold and Charlbury, home of The Bell and The Bull.
malvern hills
Great for walking, the Malvern Hills can be challenging to reach the highest points, but the rewards are rich. You’ll see wildflower meadows, parks, ancient forests, and orchards unfolding before you.
Malvern is perfect for wildlife fans, as it has a variety of plants that attract fritillary butterflies, and you can also find other endangered and rare species such as reddock and white-clawed crayfish.
This often overlooked village is also famous for its beautiful winter walks and ‘celebrity’ schools. Learn more about.
shropshire hills
Seen from high up, the landscape of the Shropshire Hills looks like a patchwork quilt of undulating greenery spread over the countryside. Most of it is grazing land, but each part of the blanket has its own characteristics.
The Long Mind is truly spectacular, the rocky Stiperstone offers an adventurous walk and the Wrekin is a challenge in itself for walkers looking for a sense of accomplishment before descending for Sunday lunch.
Clan Forest offers more relaxing walks, and Wenlock Edge continues all the way to Ironbridge, where you can see the stunning cast iron arch over the River Severn. A road trip through the Shropshire Hills, which takes in historic breweries and castles, is featured in a new issue of Lonely Planet, with the scenery hailed as “movie-like”. Click here for more information about “Little Switzerland”.
Wye Valley
Whatever the weather, the Wye Valley is truly spectacular. Check out this amazing photo of what looks like a landscape in the Scottish Highlands.
Straddling the Welsh border, the Wye Valley has some truly dramatic limestone scenery, with river flows, gorges and rapids rushing around tree-covered limestone cliffs. Simmons Yat Rock is amazing. Below, the Saracens Head Pub Bed and Breakfast is known for its award-winning food.
For a bit of history, visit the ruins of Tintern Abbey, a romantic spot mentioned in Wordsworth’s poem ‘A Line Made Over Tintern Abbey’. Goodrich Castle, located above the river, is also worth a visit.