There’s tons to see and do in Birmingham (see our Visit Birmingham by Train page). But if you fancy venturing a bit further afield, here is our pick of destinations that you can get to by train from Birmingham for a short day trip.

From scenic countryside to historic buildings, culture, restaurants and shopping, you’re bound to find something to enjoy.

You can plan your train journey here, and don’t forget if you have a Railcard you can get 1/3 off your rail fares. If you require additional support when travelling, the Passenger Assist service can help you.

Day trips from Birmingham in 1 to 2 hours

Manchester

The city is jam packed with museums, art galleries, theatres and shops. Visit the impressive Manchester Art Gallery(external link, opens in a new tab), which has been standing in the centre of the city for nearly 200 years and has nearly 13,000 works of art, or drop into the vibrant HOME(external link, opens in a new tab) arts centre, cinema and theatre complex.

For something a bit different, there’s Ordsall Hall(external link, opens in a new tab), the oldest building in Salford, which is now a free-to-visit historic house with a Great Hall and 2 resident ghosts.

• Read more about Manchester on our Visit Manchester by Train page.

Nearest stations: Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Victoria, Manchester Oxford Road, Manchester Deansgate

Sheffield

Once world famous for its steel production, this vibrant South Yorkshire city has plenty of things to do and see. Visit Sheffield Botanical Gardens(external link, opens in a new tab), which has 18 different gardens linked by twisting pathways or paddleboard on the city’s waterways with DC Outdoors(external link, opens in a new tab).

You can explore the city’s history either at the Cholera Monument(external link, opens in a new tab) – visible across the city, it is a memorial to the people who died during the 1832 cholera outbreak – or at the Kelham Island Museum(external link, opens in a new tab) which shows what it was like to live and work in Sheffield during the Industrial Revolution.

• Read more about Sheffield on our Visit Sheffield by Train page.

Nearest station: Sheffield

Leicester

One of the oldest cities in England and once the second richest in Europe, Leicester sits on the River Soar and offers visitors a flourishing art scene, plenty of restaurants and bars and a very famous king.

In 2012, Richard III’s remains were discovered in a car park in Leicester and you can now visit the King Richard III Visitor Centre(external link, opens in a new tab) to learn about his re-discovery or Leicester Cathedral(external link, opens in a new tab), where he is buried.

For those who prefer to look up at the stars, the National Space Centre(external link, opens in a new tab) is home to the UK’s largest full dome planetarium.

Nearest station: Leicester

Leeds

Located in the heart of the UK, Leeds is a dynamic city packed full of culture and with plentiful restaurants, cafes and shops, all easily accessible on foot.

Regarded as the unofficial capital of Yorkshire, it has a world class music venue, First Direct Arena(external link, opens in a new tab), the wonderful Roundhay Park(external link, opens in a new tab), 3 miles north of the city centre, and Hyde Park Picture House(external link, opens in a new tab), one of the oldest cinemas in the UK.

Nearest station: Leeds

Matlock and Matlock Bath

The neighbouring towns of Matlock and Matlock Bath both sit in a limestone valley and offer stunning views of the Peak District and Derbyshire.

Walk around the imposing Riber Castle(external link, opens in a new tab) in Matlock, built by the industrialist John Smedley as his rather large private home in 1862 (his name was later used as the namesake of the luxury clothing brand) or visit Hall Leys Park(external link, opens in a new tab) with its boating lake and skateboard park.

Matlock Bath, meanwhile, was one of England’s first tourist destinations, nicknamed ‘Little Switzerland’ by Lord Byron. Today it’s packed with independent shops as well as riverside walks and the Heights of Abraham(external link, opens in a new tab) cable car.

Nearest station: Matlock