Birmingham, England - day trips via train

London I have been to several times, and I don't feel inclined to be among crowds for a day.

Perhaps a train to the Cotswold District, but it appears to be a 2.5 hour ride, one way - so that's five hours on the train, and it might work for me if Moreton-in-Marsh (where the train ends) is a great place to be for a day.

So, I'm actually pretty open. Maybe, a better way to ask my question would be "What would you do if you had a day, but needed to Birmingham in the morning and return at night?"

Moreton in the Marsh is generally two hours each way from Birmingham New Street, not 2.5, including a change at Oxford. But it’s really just a gateway to the Cotswolds and you’d probably want to get a bus or car once there to explore further. Moreton itself would be quite an unsatisfactory day trip.

Birmingham is the probably the second-best connected train city in the U.K. after London so there’s lots of choice but you need to be aware that generally trains go to towns rather than the countryside.

From Birmingham, if you want traditional picture-book England, I’d look at Oxford itself (just over an hour from Birmingham New Street) or Stratford-upon-Avon (50 minutes from Birmingham Snow Hill.

Or if you want a vibrant exciting hip city, then look at Bristol, Manchester or Liverpool, three of the finest cities in England: each about 90 minutes or so from Birmingham New Street.

Those are great ideas, Jane. Thank you so much!

Stratford-upon-Avon, and Warwick with its medieval centre, castle and views of the castle from the river, river bridges, and a lovely riverside garden. Warwick is not far from Stratford-upon-Avon.

Or you could leave the train at Lapworth and after a short rural walk from the station walk along the canal footpath and watch the narrowboats traversing the locks. If you've never seen it you are missing something. Especially if you like rural landscapes and birds.

Take a train to Kidderminster and ride on the best preserved railway in the country, 16 miles through beautiful riverside on the Severn River to Bridgnorth with its funicular railway and slighted castle.

and many more

Now, I'm thinking I need to spend an extra day, or two, or three, or ..... thanks so much for these good ideas, Nigel.

I enjoyed Oxford a lot; picturesque architecture + museums is a great combo to me. Other possibilities are Chester (handsome half-timbered buildings and wall you can walk on) at about 1-1/2 hours and Bletchley Park (WW II code-breaking center) at just over 1 hour. I've read that Shrewsbury is picturesque, somewhat in the Chester mold, but have not been there.

One thing to keep in mind is that spur-of-the-moment trips in England can be very costly in terms of rail fares. For example, if you wanted to travel to Oxford tomorrow, it would set you back 68 GBP round-trip. I'd suggest checking the last-minute fares to any place you are considering so you have an idea of what will be viable if for some reason you are not able to buy your ticket well in advance. I don't think Chester or Bletchley Park would be as painfully expensive as Oxford.

Thanks acraven. Good advice regarding rail tix.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a nice town to visit, even if you're not into the Shakespeare thing.

On the other hand - regarding train tickets to Oxford - if I were to get a walk-up fare for travel after 9:30 M-F or anytime on a weekend or bank holiday I could get am Off-Peak Return for £38, much cheaper.

You're right, Nigel. That's not too bad. And the off-peak timing works well for me since I am not an early riser. For someone trying to cram Oxford into a day-trip, it's perhaps not ideal.

I second Nigel's excellent advice. If you like walking and wish to avoid crowds, then there are two good options:
1. Get a train from Birmingham Moor Street to Lapworth and walk the towpath of the Stratford Canal to Straford-upon-Avon. You can then get the train back to Birmingham.
2. Walk along part of the River Severn footpath. You could use the Severn Valley Railway as a starting and stopping point, eg start from the lovely riverside town of Bewdley and walk along the river to Upper Arley. Both have stations on the line. You can reach the Severn Valley Railway by getting a train from Birmingham Moor Street (or Snow Hill) to Kidderminster, and then walking to the nearby SVR station.

Thanks so much - these are great ideas.

The Secret Cottage tours in the Cotswolds depart from Moreton-in-Marsh train station. Here's what I posted about this day trip last fall:

"This day in the Cotswolds far exceeded my expectations! Our guide, Scotty, was readily identified at the train station in Moreton-in-Marsh (a direct trip from London Paddington), and we started our tour at Becky's cottage with pastries and coffee or tea, a look around part of the cottage that included her welcoming kitchen with its fantastic AGA, and then off to villages and cottages that one wouldn't have a hope of locating on one's own. Scotty was full of information -- and interesting, not like a snoozy university lecture; you'll be very lucky indeed if he is your guide for the day. We had some rain, but it didn't dilute our experience in the least -- although I would recommend wearing shoes that allow for some uneven terrain and will wipe clean easily. (Scotty had umbrellas available if anyone needed.) Our lunch back at the cottage was beyond plentiful and so delicious, with Becky and her daughter urging us to replenish our plates -- an experience that was duplicated when we returned for cream tea at the end of the day. (3 notes: Keep some pounds in your pocket if you leave your bag on the bus; there is an opportunity to buy post cards at one of the stops. Also, the mini-van is spacious enough that tall people will not be cramped for space. Finally, do not mistake any other tours in the area for this one!)

I've been taking days out of London for 27 years. This was definitely one of my very best experiences. You won't be disappointed!"

Best travels for you, wherever you go!

Thank you, Alisono. That does sound like a great experience.

Cheltenham and Gloucester are close by (c.45mins) Gloucester has a great Cathedral and Cheltenham is very Regency and attractive. There's also a steam railway line from Cheltenham racecourse.