Kayleigh Watson

As literally every Mancunian is happy to tell you for hours, if not days on end, Manchester is a great place. It has loads of things to do, great places to eat and a huge range of hotels if you're staying over.But just because you never want to leave Manchester, doesn’t mean you can’t pop out for a bit, and with some of the best road and rail links in the country, Manchester is a terrific place for getting out into the countryside and other surrounds without the need of a car. Surrounded by interesting places to visit, from picturesque towns to bracing beaches, here are nine day trips that are all within an hour or so of the city.

Birmingham may be renowned for its Balti Triangle – an area on the outskirts of the city centre home to a clutch of award-winning, family-run restaurants – but there’s more to England’s second city than the Anglicised curry. A wealth of excellent establishments have popped up in recent years, from opulent new restaurants to casual street food outkelts and homey haunts that go back for decades. Whether your pilgrimage is for Indian food, a stacked, dirty burger or a dive into the city's blossoming East Asian cuisine, there is something to tickle all manner of tastebuds. Here’s our pick of the best restaurants in Birmingham right now. Eaten somewhere on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutEatList. You can find out more about how Time Out makes recommendations and reviews restaurants here.

While Birmingham loves a good, old-fashioned pub, it’s also a thriving location for an array of incredible bars. From laidback establishments to those who take a novel theme to the extreme, there’s never been a better time to grab a small-batch artisanal gin, top-notch glass of wine, or showstopping cocktail in the second city. Fancy supping a whisky whilst getting a fresh trim? Looking for an obscure craft beer to enjoy while you play pinball? Well, lucky you, as you're about to hit the jackpot. Prepare to discover hidden speakeasies, restaurant drinking dens, neon-decked establishments plus a bunch of new and exciting bars opening their doors; Birmingham has it all - and then some.   Drank somewhere on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDrinkList. You can also find out more about how Time Out makes recommendations and reviews bars.

Whilst it is undeniably one for the history buffs, there is plenty for all in Stratford-upon-Avon. The market town in England was the birthplace of Shakespeare, which is why our list of best things to do naturally includes plenty of attractions related to its most famous inhabitant. Catch a show by the eminent Royal Shakespeare Company at one of its theatres or visit some of the well-preserved buildings whose very walls tell the story of the Bard’s life and death. There are also plenty of non-Shakespearean delights to round off a stay in this quaint Tudor town, like modern museums, peaceful boat trips along the Avon, and even a gin distillery (that does, admittedly, take inspiration from the Bard). So, what to see, and what not to see? That is the question…  

Nestled in the Shropshire Hills, the historic market town of Ludlow seems to have it all within its cosy reaches: a huge ruined castle, hundreds of listed buildings, cobbled streets and world-class restaurants. It's also the ideal base for country strolls that end in pints of ale in snug, old pubs or - alternately - newly established breweries. Switching off is guaranteed, as Ludlow’s streets are rarely crowded. That is, unless you visit (along with 20,000 others) for its annual food festival.  RECOMMENDED: Discover Cheltenham, Cardiff and Snowdonia. 

This East Midlands city is a great foodie destination, with quaint cobbled streets and medieval buildings housing the best restaurants in Lincoln. Uphill, find the Cathedral Quarter and all the major tourist sites, while downhill sits the city centre. The narrow, pedestrianised Steep Hill, which connects the two, and the elegant Brayford Wharf waterfront at the bottom of the town is where you'll find plenty of eateries. Visitors can rest assured they won't go hungry here, considering the town is famous for its pork sausages, Poacher cheese, plum loaf and beers - but that doesn't mean Lincoln is short on variety either. Whether it's a sturdy steak, refined al a carte or something more adventurous, there are options aplenty. Which means that eating a whole lot of food is one of the very best things to do in Lincoln. Ready to taste your way through the local delicacies?

Once largely known for Walkers Crisps and Gary Lineker, Leicester flew very much under the cultural radar until the 2010s. But with the discovery of King Richard III in a city car park in 2012 and the legendary 2016 Premier League win, the East Midlands city is on the map—and with a cultural regeneration, renovated city centre, and tons of great places to go, it’s a legitimate destination. Whether it's the budding independent arts community, rich historical heritage, the city's thriving bar and food scene, or greenery for the nature lovers, there is something for all preferences. Here are the best places to check out if you’re heading to the area. Done something on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDoList and tag @TimeOutEverywhere. Find out more about how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world.

From Bombay-style street food and sweet centres to Gujarati vegetarian cafés and progressive Indian fine dining, Birmingham has it all when it comes to Indian cuisine. Long before any Michelin stars came to town, it was Birmingham’s Indian restaurants that lit up the gastronomic scene. Immigrants had brought curries of all sorts from the Indian subcontinent. Then, in the 1970s, a Pakistani genius from Sparkbrook invented the humble balti – a type of curry cooked in a pan known as a karahi – that many now consider the city’s trademark dish. The rest? History. Fast-forward to the present, and there's a new generation of chefs taking the established tastes of the previous generation and putting a twenty-first-century twist on proceedings. So, if you’re already planning your next meal out in anticipation, here’s our round-up of the best Indian restaurants in Birmingham.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in Birmingham

Give it a fair chance and you’ll find Birmingham to be a city of irresistible cultural force packed full of diversity. Whether it’s fine art, street art or immersive VR, impeccable dining or lip-smacking street food, mould-breaking bars, lively independent music venues or a whole lot of sport, there is no shortage of choice. From duelling piano bars and a ‘Peaky Blinders’ tour to the glorious greenery of Edgbaston, there will always be something that floats your canal boat. Here’s our round-up of the best things to do in Birmingham. Done something on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDoList and tag @TimeOutEverywhere. You can also find out more about how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

Whether you're looking for small haunts or grand establishments, Birmingham has plenty of creative institutions that can rival pretty much any in the UK; the city’s displays of elegantly fine and classical art are at home alongside its vibrant contemporary scene. Some of the best galleries in Birmingham are even located in buildings stunning enough to be attractions themselves. So, if you’re headed to storied beasts like Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, or seeking niche tucked-away spots like Grand Union or the sleepy Ikon Gallery, visitors can rest assured that their artistic sensibilities will be well rewarded. Why not visit Birmingham’s beautiful museums while you’re in town, too? RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Birmingham

Britain’s second city isn’t short on silver screens, but these ones are extra-special. How so, we hear you cry? Well, between them, they cover a whole lot of history, a dash of romance, epic grandeur, and a bit of fun - nevermind some incredible food and drink.  Whether you’re searching for a slick arthouse outing, a cute date-night setting, endeavour to support your independent venue, or are instead on a quest for something a little bit different, Birmingham delivers in ticking many a box.  Plus, if you fancy heading elsewhere afterwards, you’d do well to check out one of these first-class Birmingham bars – or even start working your way through the best pubs in Birmingham. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Birmingham

As a nation of cafficionados, Britain has long graduated from its strong and stable love of tea to a passion for the coffee bean. But where to from here? From artisan roasters and chichi coffee shops to terribly twee teahouses and old-school cafés, Birmingham has pretty much everything you need for your next caffeine kick. Even the city's pubs, bars and restaurants are getting in on the act and serving coffee and tea every bit as good as their food and booze, and that’s before you take into account the venues with a bit of a twist - think vinyl shop bars and board game institutions getting in on the action! We’ve put together a list of the coffee shops and cafés we think are best in Birmingham, so have a gander and get stuck in. Beautiful beans, lovely leaves and all manner of sweet things await. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in Birmingham