The West Midlands is one of England's most underrated regions for short breaks — and Himley Country Hotel sits right at its heart. Within a twenty-minute drive you'll find stately homes, living museums, country parks and market towns, each with its own character and charm.

Himley Hall & Park

Less than a mile from the hotel, Himley Hall is a Grade II listed mansion set in 180 acres of landscaped parkland. The grounds are free to enter year-round, making them perfect for a morning walk before breakfast or a lazy afternoon picnic. During summer, the park hosts outdoor cinema screenings, craft fairs and food festivals — check local listings before your visit.

Himley Hall viewed from across the Great Pool
Himley Hall and its grounds — just minutes from the hotel

The Black Country Living Museum

A ten-minute drive takes you to one of the UK's most celebrated open-air museums. Walk through a recreated 1900s village, ride a narrowboat into a limestone cavern, and taste a bag of chips fried in beef dripping. It's a genuine full-day attraction — families, couples and history buffs all rate it highly.

The Black Country Living Museum brings over 300 years of industrial heritage to life in a way no textbook ever could.

Dudley Zoo & Castle

Perched on a hilltop inside the ruins of an 11th-century castle, Dudley Zoo is home to over 1,300 animals across 100 species. The site also features twelve Grade II listed Tecton buildings — rare examples of modernist architecture by Berthold Lubetkin.

Country Walks & Canal Towpaths

The Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal runs close to the hotel, offering flat, scenic towpath walks suitable for all abilities. Follow the canal north towards Wombourne or south towards Kinver — both routes pass through peaceful countryside and end at welcoming village pubs.

Market Towns Worth Visiting

Stourbridge is known for its independent shops and glassmaking heritage — the Red House Glass Cone is a striking landmark and free to visit. Bridgnorth, a little further afield, rewards the extra drive with a cliff railway, riverside walks and a beautifully preserved High Town.

Whether you have a single afternoon or an entire long weekend, there is genuinely more to see, do and eat around Himley than most visitors expect. The hardest part is choosing where to start.