//
Region of England
Photo: JimmyGuano, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The West Midlands is the western part of central England in the United Kingdom. This central area borders North West England, the East Midlands, South East England, the West Country and all three parts of Wales (south, central and north). It is the only region of Britain and Ireland to lack access to the sea. While being heavily populated and industrialised, it retains much natural beauty in the rural areas surrounding the cities. Its main city, Birmingham, is the second largest in the UK.
By car
Many of the UK's major roads converge on Birmingham.
By train
Birmingham New Street sends out trains to all parts of the country and many major intercity lines pass through the region.
The road network is extensive, if convoluted. There are also good bus and rail networks, as well as national cycle-routes and a large canal network for narrowboats.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Birmingham, West Midlands · International · BHX
Loading places around the airport…
Alton Towers, the largest theme park in the United Kingdom, is in Staffordshire, England. It is generally considered by rollercoaster enthusiasts to hold its own with any such park in the world.
rolling countryside and chocolate box villages make one of England's most iconic areas of outstanding natural beauty. The Midlands portion covers parts of Warwickshire and Worcestershire, and the region also extends into the South East and West Country.
Articles and travel topics about West Midlands (region) and United Kingdom.
Travel tipsComplete 2026 guide to the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Check eligibility, the £20 fee, application steps, and transit rules.
7 min read
Travel tipsComplete 2026 guide to global tourist taxes and access fees. Compare entry fees in Venice, Bali, Bhutan, Kyoto, and Edinburgh, and learn how to pay them.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
Travel tipsA complete guide to taking the Eurostar from London to Paris. Learn about check-in times, border controls, baggage limits, ticket tiers, and booking tips.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.