*AD: In collaboration with Visit Birmingham & West Midlands Railway

Sian Victoria © - Pond, Jephson Gardens, Royal Leamington Spa

Best Day Trips From Birmingham By Train

Any free time I have I love to organise day trips from Birmingham to enjoy with friends and family, to explore historic towns and places in the West Midlands, eat plenty of food and shop.

Especially at this time of year, to spend quality time with loved ones in the run-up to Christmas. Since there are so many fantastic places to visit in Birmingham and the surrounding West Midlands area.

So, last weekend I invited my fellow Birmingham blogger to go to Leamington Spa with me in collaboration with Visit Birmingham and West Midlands Railway.

We were both looking forward to the trip as it’s a place neither of us had ever visited before, which is crazy since it's one of the many popular places to go out near me with plenty of things to do.

So, continue reading to see everything we got up to, from exploring Leamington Spa, eating brunch, and then catching the train back to Birmingham to experience the Christmas markets and a delicious seven course tasteing menu at an award winning restaurant in the city.

Train to Leamington Spa from Birmingham

Sian Victoria © - Boarding West Midlands Railway train, Leamington Spa

To get to Leamington Spa from Birmingham we travelled with West Midlands Railway, with a return ticket costing approximately £10.30 depending on what time you choose to go.

Trains leave regularly, and the journey takes around 30 minutes, so we were in Leamington Spa in no time.

West Midlands Railway has some great off-peak and group fare tickets available, meaning you can save some cash to put towards shopping, food and fun attractions in Birmingham. They also have routes all over the West Midlands, making travelling via train super convenient.

Brunch at Bill’s - Leamington Spa

Sian Victoria © - Bill's, Vegetarian Breakfast Brunch, Leamington Spa

Sian Victoria © - Bill's restaurant, Hot chocolate, Latte & Smoothie, Leamington Spa

Ordering some food and drink was the first thing on our agenda as we arrived in Leamington Spa.

To get there we had a short stroll from the station and picked Bill’s restaurant to eat, it is one of the most popular places to go for brunch in Birmingham - so we knew we were in for a tasty treat.

On a Saturday at 11:30 am Bill’s was a popular choice for many in Leamington Spa too, so I recommend booking a table in advance to avoid disappointment.

We were shown to our table promptly and handed a brunch menu. Firstly, we ordered a round of drinks, so that we had something to both warm us up and sweeten us up. I went for a hot chocolate (£2.95) which came with a Cadburys flake and a watermelon, peach and raspberry juice (£3.25). Whereas my friend had a Cappuccino (£2.70) and an orange juice (£3.25).

Sian Victoria © - Bill's restaurant, Vegan brunch, Leamington Spa

Sian Victoria © - Bill's restaurant, Leamington Spa

Sian Victoria © - Bill's restaurant, Garden Breakfast, Leamington Spa

For food, I picked the Bill’s Vegetarian Breakfast (£8.95) it comes with roasted plum tomatoes, mushrooms, tomato hummus, smashed avocado, sweet chilli sauce, basil, toast and poached free-range eggs.

However, I swapped the eggs for crispy rosti. The brunch was just what I needed to start the day off, it was delicious, and I especially loved it soaked in the sweet & tangy chilli sauce.

My friend Nadine opted for the Bill’s Garden Breakfast (£9.95) with poached eggs, halloumi, roasted plum tomatoes, charred red peppers, smashed avocado, hollandaise sauce, pea shoots, mixed seeds and toast which she also thoroughly enjoyed.

Exploring Jephson Gardens

Sian Victoria © - Memorial for Dr Henry Jephson, Gardens, Leamington Spa

Sian Victoria © - Pond near River Leam, Jephson Gardens, Leamington Spa

After our healthy vegetarian brunch, we crossed the road to have a little stroll around the beautiful Jephson Gardens. These grassed gardens in the centre of town was once a place for wealthy locals to be seen, which seems fitting since The Royal Baths and Pump Room is located opposite the entrance to the park.

The garden is named in honour of Dr Henry Jephson who set up a medical practice in Leamington Spa in 1828. He believed that the local mineral springs had health-giving properties and so had many wealthy patients including the Royal family. This interesting local history is similar to that of Bath in Somerset, which of course is also known for it's rich springs.

However, he treated the poor free of charge. For this reason, a memorial for Jephson was erected in 1849 and his statue was carved by Birmingham sculptor, Peter Hollins.

Sian Victoria © - River Leam, Botanical, Jephson Gardens, Leamington Spa

Sian Victoria © - The Glasshouse, Botanical, Jephson Gardens, Leamington Spa

It was lovely to see families together walking around Jepson Gardens admiring the River Leam which runs through it. Besides from the abundance of trees, flowers and walkways, there is also a Sensory Park, plenty of historical statues, a café and The Glasshouse which is free to enter.

The Glasshouse is home to a range of tropical plants, an observation beehive and a goldfish pond. So, is a great place to visit and one of the best things to do in Leamington Spa if you love all things nature.

Around the corner you’ll also find The Aviary Café which has inside and outside seating, it’s a lovely spot to take a break, grab some food and enjoy a hot drink while alfresco dining in the beautiful Jephson Gardens.

Shopping at The Royal Priors

Sian Victoria © - The Royal Priors Shopping Centre at Christmas, Leamington Spa

Sian Victoria © - Queen Victoria statue, Historical landmark in Leamington Spa

Sian Victoria © - All Saints C Of E Church, Leamington Spa

Sian Victoria © - River Leam, Parade, Leamington Spa

Sian Victoria © - Parade, Leamington Spa

Within an approximate 10-minute walk of the Jephson Gardens, you’ll find The Royal Priors shopping centre - home to one of the many places to go shopping in the West Midlands with plenty of well-known brands to choose from.

For shopping, there’s Marks and Spencers, New Look, Topshop, Topman, Waterstones, The Perfume Shop, The Entertainer and Sports Direct. So, you’re sure to be able to tick off that Christmas shopping list.

Plus, for when you are all shopped out there’s plenty of coffee shops including Patisserie Valerie - a delicious French cafe I enjoy visiting whenever I'm at Resorts World Birmingham.

Outside The Royal Priors, there are many more shops and dining options to pick from on Royal Leamington Spa high street as well as plenty of historical buildings with stunning architecture to admire.

Bullring & Grand Central Shopping

Sian Victoria © - Bullring Shopping Centre at Christmas, Birmingham

Sian Victoria © - Grand Central at Christmas, New Street Station, Birmingham

After a lovely day out in Leamington Spa, we effortlessly caught the next West Midlands Railway train home to Birmingham. When I’m visiting new places especially towns, I always prefer travelling via train, so I can relax more and not have to pay for overpriced parking (that’s if you even manage to find a space) or worry about being back in time so I don’t get a ticket.

When we arrived in Birmingham, we headed straight to the new Arket store which is a Scandinavian home & fashion brand with an in-store café selling delicious sandwiches including vegan wraps! There’s only a handful of Arket stores in England, they are mostly in London so it’s great to see a Scandi homeware brand move into the Bullring & Grand Central. I can see myself shopping there often, as you may know, I’m obsessed with Nordic interior design.

Also new to Birmingham is Morphe, an internationally well-known makeup brand. They’ve just opened a store in the Bullring and it’s the only store outside of London. So, if you are looking for a new makeup style this party season, Morphe is the place to visit for inspiration and tutorials.

With the addition of the new stores, Bullring & Grand Central has a fantastic range of shops to suit everyone’s budget. From everyday affordable brands to premium designer brands. There’s also many independent shops and foodie places to go to on Link Street which connects Bullring & Grand Central together. Birmingham is also home to Selfridges and a flagship John Lewis store.

Independents at Great Western Arcade Birmingham

Sian Victoria © - Great Western Arcade, Historical Landmark, Birmingham

Sian Victoria © - Great Western Arcade, Historical Landmark, Colmore Row, Birmingham

Sian Victoria © - Great Western Arcade, Birmingham

Among all the chain stores across the city, there are so many unique independent retailers and food places in Birmingham that should be supported too.

One of my favourite places to find indie stores is the Great Western Arcade with entrances on Colmore Row and Temple Row. The gorgeous Victorian Grade II listed building has a charming and unique appeal with an interesting history dating back to 1875.

You'll find it tucked away in the bustling heart of Birmingham, the Great Western Arcade is a hidden gem. This place is a delightful blend of old-world charm and modern coolness. The arcade's Victorian architecture is simply stunning, with beautiful ironwork and colorful stained glass that'll make you feel like you've stepped back in time.

Inside, you'll find a collection of independent shops, cute cafes, and speciality stores. It's the perfect spot for those looking for something a little different – you can uncover unique fashion, quirky gifts, and delicious treats. The Great Western Arcade is a true oasis for anyone seeking a touch of class and individuality in the vibrant city of Birmingham.

1847 Vegetarian Restaurant

Sian Victoria © - 1847 Restaurant, Great Western Arcade, Birmingham

One unique food place you certainly need to visit in the Great Western Arcade is the 1847 restaurant which was named the best vegetarian restaurant outside of London last year.

1847 is a sophisticated restaurant with an à la carte menu and five or seven-course tasting menu that contains fresh local produce. There is also an extensive wine list.

To start the evening, we ordered drinks and nibbled on snacks & bread. I went for a pineapple sour mocktail (£6.95) made with Seedlip spice, pineapple and lime whilst Nadine opted for the Chilinero, Merlot red wine (£7.85 – 250ml).

Sian Victoria © - Mushroom rice porridge, 1847 Restaurant, Great Western Arcade, Birmingham

Sian Victoria © - Tofu scallops with buttermilk, 1847 Restaurant, Great Western Arcade

The first of our seven courses was the mushroom rice porridge with braised Shiake, mushroom ketchup and herb oil. Before it came, we weren’t too sure what to expect with it being porridge, but it tasted just like a risotto, we loved how spicy it was and the succulent mushrooms. We both agreed this was our favourite.

Next up was the Tofu scallops with buttermilk, charred leek, kohirabi and chive. Considering I’m not keen on leeks, we both thoroughly enjoyed this dish since it has just the right balance of flavours and textures to complement each other.

Sian Victoria © - Caramelised cauliflower & makhana sauce, 1847 Restaurant, Birmingham

Sian Victoria © - Roasted celeriac & onion veloute, 1847 Restaurant, Birmingham

My least favourite dish was the roasted celeriac with onion velouté, crispy capers and pickled raisin. I just felt like the celeriac needed just a dash of seasoning. However, I did love the juicy sweet flavours bursting from the raisins.

Fourth on the tasting menu is the caramelised cauliflower with makhana sauce, pickled mango and compressed rice. We loved the variety of delicious flavours in this dish, especially how the cauliflower and sweet mango complemented the fluffy rice.

Sian Victoria © - Pressed potato & turnip terrine, 1847 Restaurant, Birmingham

Sian Victoria © - Coconut sago, 1847 Restaurant, Great Western Arcade, Birmingham

The fifth dish of pressed potato & turnip terrine consisted of parsnip, onion puree, cavalo nero and red wine sauce. The rich flavours were beautiful, we agreed we could have easily eaten more of this dish as well as the mushroom porridge.

Despite wanting more of these two dishes, the quantity of all seven dishes were spot on, as we were pleasantly full, not overstuffed like I usually am when I have just three standard courses.

Our sixth dish was a dessert made of coconut sago, blackberry sorbet, pistachio and chia tuile. It was a yummy surprise to find the sweet blackberry sorbet hidden under the coconut sago and the nutty pistachio sprinkling was lovely too.

Although I wasn’t sure on the chia tuile because of it's overly toasted taste, however, Nadine loved it since the crunchy and the creamy textures worked well together.

Sian Victoria © - Dark chocolate delice & carrot, 1847 Restaurant, Birmingham

The seventh and final dish of the night was dark chocolate delice with carrot, stem ginger, chocolate soil and tarragon. Since the dessert was made of chocolate you may not be surprised to hear I loved this rich and flavoursome chocolate dish.

Overall, we had a wonderful time in 1847, the tasting menu was outstanding, full of unique flavours and the service was fantastic too.

The five courses are priced at £35 and seven courses are £45 with drink pairing an additional £22-£30.

Sian Victoria © - Christmas Tree, Birmingham New Street

Our day exploring Leamington Spa and Birmingham was fun, they are both great places to visit in the West Midlands. If you are looking for a weekend break over the festive season then I highly recommended visiting the region since there are so many great reasons to visit, from its many attractions, local history and an abundance of retailers and restaurants to choose from.

Just like Leamington Spa, there are many places for shopping in Birmingham. The city has some great national retailers that can be found in Bullring & Grand Central or amazing independents located in the Great Western Arcade. You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to Christmas shopping in the West Midlands.

Sian Victoria © - Riding West Midlands Railway train

If you are new to Birmingham or don’t visit this amazing city often, you’ll find travelling to the region convenient and affordable via a West Midlands Railway train .

They have many direct and regular routes coming into the city from all over the Midlands throughout the day. Once you’re in the city there are so many great things to do and see in Birmingham making it a worthwhile day trip.

If you plan to make a night of it, you'll find budget hotels in Birmingham as well as many luxury hotels in Birmingham. So, there is a place to stay in the city for all budgets.

Best places to go in Birmingham

Here are just a few of the most popular destinations in Birmingham that you should visit if you are seeking fun things to do in Birmingham:

1. Digbeth

Named the Creative Quarter of Birmingham. This lifestyle destination located a short walk from the iconic Bullring Selfridges landmark offers a great variety of independent retailers, foodie places and entertainment venues.

The Custard Factory in Digbeth is home to some of my favourites; such as the Warehouse Café, Digbeth Dining Club, Mockingbird Cinema, Custard Factory, Cow Vintage and Ghetto Golf.

You may also find my blog post on the independent things to do in Birmingham useful, if Digbeth sounds like a place you would visit.

2. Jewellery Quarter

The Jewellery Quarter is rich in history with stunning Georgian buildings and is known as an industry hub with plenty of museums, independent retailers, eateries and bespoke jewellery makers in Birmingham.

For unique food places to go in the Jewellery Quarter visit Ana Rocha Bar or 1000 Trades.

3. Broad Street

Broad Street is the liveliest of streets in Birmingham, with an array of restaurants, hotels and nightclubs. So, if you love cocktails and dancing till the early hours then Broad Street is for you.

A stay at the Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham followed by a spot of Afternoon tea at Park Regis and a visit to a beauty clinic in Birmingham makes the perfect day, before a wild night out on Broad Street.

4. Westside

In the direction of Broad Street, you will be heading West and come across Five Ways leisure complex, Edgbaston, Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Broadway Plaza. My favourite places to go to Westside are Edgbaston Village and the ODEON Luxe cinema.

If you fancy spending a day in Edgbaston Village, my favourite places to go in this upmarket destination outside the city centre is The High Field Gastropub, they have a lovely beer garden and Laghis Deli - home to an athentic and independent Italian restaurant in Birmingham.

5. Brindleyplace

At Brindleyplace you can choose from a variety of well-known restaurants and bars as well enjoy a trip on a Canal boat, visit the National Sea Life Centre, Ikon Gallery and the ICC & Symphony Hall.

Close by is also The Library of Birmingham. My favourite place to eat at in Brindleyplace is Siamais a Birmingham Thai restaurant.

Fun fact: Birmingham has more canals than Venice, 9 more miles to be exact!

6. Birmingham International

Birmingham International is a short 15-minute journey via a West Midlands Railway train from New Street station. Here you will find the airport, NEC, The Bear Grylls Adventure and Resorts World.

7. Eastside

Among many of the city’s top universities, there is the Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum at Millennium Point.

8. Mailbox

Within the Mailbox is Harvey Nichols, a range of designer retailers, restaurants and the BBC Visitor Centre. Outside overlooking the canal is the iconic Cube building as well as the independent Every Man Cinema and a great variety of cocktail bars and hotels.

Across the road from the Mailbox is my favourite vegan restaurant and live music venue, Natural Bar & Kitchen, it’s a place I highly recommend and visit often. Their vegan tofu ‘fish’ & chips are amazing!

To me, a perfect day out at the Mailbox is checking into Hotel indigo for the night, heading to the 25th floor of the Cube building for afternoon tea at Marco Pierre White restaurant, followed by an evening meal overlooking the canal for some alfresco dining at Cafe Rouge and a night of cocktails at Aluna Bar.

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