Loading...

Free things to do in the West Midlands

Free family activities and attractions in Birmingham and the West Midlands

Birmingham is the second largest city in the United Kingdom, the hub of the West Midlands region. Birmingham and the West Midlands have multiple amazing attractions for a day out such as Dudley Zoo & Castle, National Sea Life Centre Birmingham and more.

However, if you’d like to spend the day with your family but don’t wish to spend money on an entry ticket, there are a surprising number of fun, interesting and inspiring places to go and explore, from museums and art galleries to farms and parks. The West Midlands and Birmingham area is full of family-friendly activities with no ticket price or admission charge.

Free science attractions

Located within the Grade II listed Aston Webb Building, which retains the original Edwardian features, the Lapworth Museum of Geology dates back to 1880, and is one of the oldest specialist geological museums in the UK. Marvel at its state-of-the-art galleries and a range of innovative and interactive exhibits from dinosaurs to rocks and fossils, volcanoes and earthquakes.

Although there is an entry fee to Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum, the Science Garden, located on Level O, directly in front of Thinktank, is free to enter every day from 3pm, with varying closing times. It has over 30 hands-on exhibits including a giant human-sized hamster wheel.

front view of dinosaur skeleton Free things to do in the West Midlands

Visit the Dudley Museum at the Archives to discover their wide range of displays including geology, fossils, dinosaurs, finds from Dudley Castle, local heroes and glass and art work.

Free things to do in the West Midlands

Free museums and art galleries

In the city centre, the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is free, and has regular pop-up exhibitions for families to visit. The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in Coventry is an ideal place to take children who are interested in fine arts and archaeology.

exterior of museum and gallery Free things to do in the West Midlands

The Ikon Gallery is free to enter too and is an internationally acclaimed contemporary art venue that has temporary exhibitions of work by artists from around the world in many different mediums. Be sure to check opening hours ahead of travelling, as it’s usually closed on Mondays.

exterior of Ikon Gallery

The Barber Institute of Fine Arts houses many iconic pieces of artwork, which are free of charge to view. Gaze on the work of Botticelli, Gainsborough, Van Gogh for free.

Free parks and open spaces

Birmingham and its surrounds have many wonderful parks, in fact Birmingham City Council looks after nearly 600 parks and public open spaces, plus over 200 play areas so there’s got to be one to tempt you on a family picnic or to see spring bursting into life.

Spend the day exploring Walsall Arboretum for some free water-related fun! An ideal way for your little ones to cool off this summer. With 170 acres of green spaces, gardens and play areas, this day out will keep the family endlessly entertained.

flower beds in front of building

There’s Cannon Hill Park with its large lake, you can climb Beacon Hill at Lickey Hills Country Park and follow the nature trail at Bantock House Museum & Park, all free of charge.

band stand in park

Find Tolkien inspirations

Some trivia not many people know about is that many parts of Birmingham are connected to Tolkien, author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, who grew up in the city. Parts of it inspired the imaginary people and places in his epic fantasy tales. Go and take a look at Sarehole Mill; the grounds including the Woodland Realm and Mill Pond are free to visit, though there is an admission charge to get inside the mill house.

mill house opposite the lake Free things to do in the West Midlands

Free animals and nature reserves

Take the family for a breath of fresh air by spending the day at one of the many outside free places in Birmingham and its surrounding areas. RSPB Sandwell Valley Nature Reserve is an ideal place to visit the local wildlife with the children. Discover the vast range of birds, insects and wildflowers that thrive in your local area. Remember to take some binoculars to see the wildlife in its natural habitat.

Free things to do in the West Midlands

If you’d like more activities, visit Sheldon Country Park and Old Rectory Farm to explore the different nature habitats in the 300-acre park, meet farm animals and poultry, watch aeroplanes at Birmingham International Airport from the designated viewing area.

Free things to do in the West Midlands

If you’re up for travel…

If you don’t mind a little bit of a drive to the wider West Midland areas, have a read of some more of our top picks for free family-friendly days out.

Visit the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire to admire 150 acres with over 400 memorials to discover amongst 25,000 trees, wildlife, children’s play areas and picnic areas.

aerial view of memorial Free things to do in the West Midlands

If your family are interested in planes, helicopters and everything that flies, take a trip to The Royal Air Force Museum Midlands in Shropshire to gaze at historic aircraft and enjoy the aviation-themed playground and a hands-on interactive gallery. The attraction won the ‘Large Visitor Attraction of the Year’ in the West Midland Tourism Awards 2022.

Free things to do in the West Midlands

Discover the animals that live at Redwings Oxhill Visitor Centre in Warwickshire with your little ones. Being one of the visitor centres for the UK’s largest horse sanctuary and home to 80 rescued horses, there are plenty of four-legged friends to meet and interact with.

Mare at Redwings Oxhill Visitor Centre Free things to do in the West Midlands

Looking for something packed with history? Visit Tudor House Museum Worcester and enjoy the dressing up, games, activity packs in school holidays and visits by re-enactment groups. To participate in activities, there is a small fee – but there is plenty to do here free of charge.

exhibit

If you’re still looking for more fun attractions or events taking place in the West Midland area, take a look at our carousel at the bottom of the page to see what else the West Midlands have to offer.


Sign up to our e-newsletter for all this information to be delivered safely to your inbox.

Signup



Stay updated with Let’s Go with the Children’s social media!

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram