UK town full of charm and ‘buzzing’ high street used to be England’s capital
Steeped in more than 1,000 years of history, this under appreciated market town is filled with natural beauty and stellar attractions. Conveniently located just 14 miles away from Birmingham, Tamworth is a great base for exploring Staffordshire – and needs to be on your bucket list (if it isn’t already).
Now featuring a bustling high street, manicured nature reserves, and an acclaimed theme park – Tamworth was once the capital of one of England’s most powerful kingdoms, Mercia. Its Anglo-Saxon routes still stand tall, with Tamworth castle, a Grade I listed building, overlooking the mouth of the River Anker.
“Travel back in time to ancient battlefields at Tamworth Castle, where you can try old armour and weaponry on for size and hear tales of knights, princesses and dragons,” said Visit Staffordshire, the region’s official tourist board. “One of England’s oldest intact motte and bailey castles, the building has been home to Saxons, Normans, Tudors and Victorians.”
If you’re not a history buff, soak up the urban green spaces around the borough by visiting one of seven local nature reserves. Similarly, the Tamworth Castle Pleasure Grounds are a great place to admire the stunning floral terraces that lead down to the river bank. On a sunny day, this is a great place to have a picnic.
“Tamworth Assembly Rooms is a magnificent town centre theatre, which despite its Victorian façade, boasts state-of-the-art facilities thanks to a recent £5 million Heritage Lottery funded refurbishment!” added Visit Staffordshire. “If you need some retail therapy, Tamworth won’t disappoint in addition to the independent town centre shops, Ankerside Shopping Centre and Tamworth Market; Ventura Park features some of the biggest names in retail.”
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For adrenaline seekers and kids, a trip to Tamworth isn’t complete without a visit to Drayton Manor Resort – which is often touted as one of the best UK family attractions. Featuring more than 50 thrilling rides and attractions, including Europe’s only Thomas the Tank Engine land, the theme park has entertained little ones for 75 years. The park fully reopens later this month (Saturday, March 29) – with tickets starting at just £24.90.
Driving from London to Tamworth takes just under three hours, but direct trains mean you can arrive in style in just over one hour. If you book in advance, you can get one-way fares for as little as £13 (based on Trainline prices at the time of writing).
What’s your favourite staycation destination? Let us know in the comments section below
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