Top West Midlands Art & Culture

Follow in the footsteps of ex-convicts during a tour of Shrewsbury Prison, home to over 200 years worth of history. You’ll explore the former jail with a prison office who once managed the wings, for the inside scoop on what used to occur within the walls. You’ll hear tales about capital punishment and see the spots on which executions took place.

Journey back to the Middle Ages with this full-day admission ticket to Warwick Castle. Explore the historic castle, brought to life by actors and interactive displays, and wander across some 64 acres (26 hectares) of parkland. Take in the views from the ramparts, enjoy the spectacular Flight of the Eagles show, and see one of the world’s largest fireball catapults.

Peek behind the scenes of Stratford upon Avon’s only working distillery on this guided afternoon tour of the Shakespeare Distillery. Learn the secrets of gin making, find out how the spirits are influenced by Tudor-period distillery techniques, and discover all the varied ingredients that create the award-winning Stratford Gin.

Appreciating Birmingham’s unique architectural heritage can be tricky on a self-led excursion. Explore Birmingham’s canals and landmarks on a walking tour, and discover the Georgian, Victorian, and modern influences on the cityscape. Gain intimate insight into Brindleyplace, Broad Street, and beyond as you explore with your live guide or audio guide, and gain a comprehensive overview of the history and heritage of the English industrial city.

Experience Birmingham through the eyes of a local during a walking tour that takes you off the beaten path. Ideal for first-time visitors looking to an introduction to the industrial city, this tour includes personal headphones to ensure you hear the guide clearly at all times. Plus, even if you're a local, this tour promises to reveal things that you never knew about Birmingham.

As an official Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Cotswolds are one of southern England’s most popular destinations—but without a car, it can be difficult to explore the region. This small-group, full-day tour from Stratford-upon-Avon makes logistics simple. Following pickup from your hotel, journey into the Cotswolds, to discover highlight villages like Bourton-on-the-Water, Chipping Campden, Stow-on-the-Wold, Bibury, and more. As you go, learn more about the region’s wealth of history from your guide.

Step into the world of 16th-century William Shakespeare with this entry to his former schoolroom and the Guildhall. The interactive experience lets you sit in the very room where Shakespeare studied as a boy, taking part in a Tudor-style lesson. Dress up in period costume for a selfie, and check out the council chamber where a young and aspiring Shakespeare watched actors perform. Fun for all the family, the experience includes a guide to give you the lowdown on the playwright and his history in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Indulge your inner speed demon with a visit to the National Motorcycle Museum and marvel at the world’s largest collection of British motorcycles. With your flexible entry ticket, you’ll have as much time as you like to browse the 1,000 models on display, including rarities like the 1898 Beeston Humber Tricycle, classics like the Triumph ‘Slippery Sam’ and modern Superbikes.

Shrewsbury Prison is the World’s most interactive prison, that inspires people, educating, engaging and immersing visitors through a journey behind bars. Our mission is to preserve, protect and promote the history and heritage of Shrewsbury Prison, by shining a light on prison life from the Georgian era to the modern day. Visitors are given a unique and immersive prison experience combined with first class customer service. Shrewsbury Prison was built in 1793 and closed in 2013, with over 200 years of history behind its walls including the countries last remaining Georgian prison.

Enrich your knowledge of local gin in Stratford-upon-Avon by visiting the award-winning Shakespeare Distillery. Learn about how the Tudor period influenced spirit production and enjoy a guided tour around the distillery. No need to worry about paying for each tasting, as at least three Shakespeare Distillery spirit tastings are included, as well as a gin and tonic to end the experience.

See the landscapes and honey-coloured limestone villages that make the Cotswolds one of the most popular sightseeing destinations in England. Enjoy the historic charm of centuries-old cottages and churches, and find walks and hikes that take advantage of the famous rolling countryside. Spot red deer and birds of prey, and explore the green country lanes in your comfortable tour bus.

Discover an icon of British automotive history—and enjoy a special, behind-the-scenes factory tour—when you visit Jaguar Land Rover Experience Centre in the West Midlands. Choose between morning and afternoon start times, make your own way to the venue, and grab your safety gear; hop aboard Land Rover Defenders to the factory, where you’ll witness its state-of-the-art manufacturing processes and watch as vehicles are produced in real time.

Enjoy a budget-friendly, one-of-a-kind way to explore Birmingham: this self-led smartphone game will bring the city’s spooky history to life. After signing up, download the app and set off at a time that suits you best. You’ll solve clues and discover top landmarks, from the Birmingham Town Hall and the Gas Street Basin to the Hall of Memory. You’ll also hear ghost stories and creepy lore during your tour.

This is a tour that immerses you in the local culture and a chance to understand the city's diverse communities. Handsworth has a bad reputation, but it also has a strong character with diverse people who live in the area from musicians, celebrities and sports. The area has been visited by Prince Charles and many others. They say that to find the real heartbeat of the city you have to visit the gritty areas that most tourists are told to avoid. The BHWN team will safely guide you through this historic area to capture the unique history of the African Caribbean community in the city.

Do something unique tonight. When the sun sets the ancient horrors of this town's past wake from their slumber. Let our guides show you through 2000 years of this town's darkest secrets, shine a torch on the darker side of humanity and regale you in tales of murder, torture, terror, and plague. Scratch the surface of this beautiful town and perhaps you'll never look in a mirror again.

Feast your eyes and fill your camera roll with postcard-perfect English countryside on this private tour of the Cotswolds’ most adorable villages. There’s no need to stress about left-side driving or worry about parking, which can be challenging, especially in high season. Simply meet your private driver/guide at the pickup point of your choice and soak up delights such as Bourton on the Water, Chipping Campden and Stow-on-the-Wold.

Take a day trip out of London and explore Stratford-upon-Avon. Discover the secrets of this charming medieval town and the history of William Shakespeare with this immersive guide!  Guided by an expert literature historian on this self-guided tour, we’ll visit the most famous historic buildings and beautiful architecture. We’ll hear the secret stories about Shakespeareʼs life, learning about the tales, mysteries and family drama that live on in this quaint market town.  Experience iconic key attractions, such as the popular Shakespeare's Tudor-era house, Shakespeare's Birthplace & Schoolroom, the Guildhall and the Holy Trinity Church where you’ll find Shakespeare’s grave. Finish the tour by visiting the Swan Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company to cap off this cultural adventure in this must-see picturesque town.  Note: This is a self-guided audio walking tour and does not include entrance tickets

Get an intimate glimpse into Birmingham’s vibrant city center on a walking tour that reveals aspect of the city’s culture and history that you might otherwise miss. Get the inside scoop on city life from your guide, and discover hidden gems and backstreets that even some locals don’t know about.

Explore the Cotswolds on your own terms with this self-guided, private tour pack. You'll get a fold-out map with two different trails, each one designed to be tackled in one day. The maps are full of useful information and details, along with a variety of clues and questions to help you learn more about this celebrated region.

Join us for a walking tour like no other, celebrating the history of the diverse and vibrant Stratford Road. The Stratford Road, once described as ‘the gateway of Birmingham’ has seen many migrants settle along it, due to its unique location and affordable housing. From the Irish to the Somalian community; the memories of the people who lived here will be brought to life by our friendly walk leaders who will talk through the road's changing scene: Visit the temple that was once a cinema. Try samples of delicious food from around the world within a mile radius. See the once thriving pubs that have now been abandoned. Meet the larger-than-life shop owners who dress Birmingham’s Asian population. Please note that if you wish to bring a stroller we ask that you contact the team. Service animals are allowed but please let us know if you are bringing one. Please note that pets are not allowed on this walking tour.

Take a city break from London and discover Warwick and Stratford-Upon-Avon in a new way, with these 2 self-guided audio walking tours around Warwickshire! Our first audio tour will give you an introduction to the dynamic streets of Warwick, exploring from the Castle Bridge to St Mary's Church and Warwick Castle. These are the perfect key attractions for anyone interested in Celtic Settlements, Saxon Invasion, Medieval Warfare and the legacy of traditional towns in modern Britain.  The next tour will guide you along with Stratford-Upon-Avon, and the popular Shakespeare's Tudor-era house, Shakespeare's Birthplace & Schoolroom, the Guildhall and the Holy Trinity Church where you’ll find Shakespeare’s grave. We’ll hear the secret stories about Shakespeareʼs life, learning about the tales, mysteries and family drama that live on in this quaint market town. Note: This is a self-guided audio walking tour and does not include entrance tickets

Every tour is guided by an individual local to the area in a personal, bespoke fashion. Our guides are receptive to the interests and knowledge of the private group and accordingly adapt the tour’s material to their audience. Moreover, our guides are able to highlight the overlooked and forgotten parts of Warwick’s history because of their local knowledge. We do not simply focus on the most eye-catching attractions, but explain and bring to light the hidden treasures of the town in order to provide a more comprehensive historical picture.

We are the first offering bike tours in Hereford and its the best way to discover our beautiful city and its surroundings.

See where Shakespeare lived, hangout and found so much inspiration on this affordable self-guided walking tour of Stratford-Upon-Avon. • Take in the places connected to Shakespeare’s life including the church where he was baptised and is buried today, and hear about the curse he planted on his own tomb • Hear from producer Oz Harris who’s been guiding private tours around England for over 10 years • Do it all in 30 minutes or linger at stops along the way with complete control over when you start and finish • Get unlimited use before your booking date and after it • Use the virtual tour option at home Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive a ticket with instructions and a unique code listed under “Before You Go”. Then simply install the VoiceMap app and enter your code. The app displays directions to the starting point, and when you’re in the right place, just pop in your headphones and tap start. VoiceMap has automatic GPS playback, with turn-by-turn directions. It also works offline.