Built atop a meadow where the Anker and Tamer rivers meet, Tamworth is an atmospheric market town north-east of Birmingham. The area has been inhabited since Roman times and was later settled by the Anglo-Saxons, eventually becoming a centre of power for the Kingdom of Mercia.
Things to do in Tamworth
Dominating the townscape is the Tamworth Castle, a Grade I-listed Norman fortification that once served as a residence for the Mercian kings. Learn about the castle’s 900-year history as you wander through its hallways, chambers and more than 15 fully furnished rooms. See weaponry and jewellery from the Staffordshire Hoard before soaking up the 360-degree views across Tamworth.
Tamworth is home to the first full-size indoor ski slope in the United Kingdom, the Snowdome, where you can practise your skiing or snowboarding skills. In addition to a learner slope for beginners, there is an ice rink and an ice track. If you’re after a warmer experience, you can splash around in the Snowdome’s swimming pool or challenge yourself on the climbing wall.
Tamworth is an ideal base for visiting the Drayton Manor Resort, a family-friendly theme park on the site of a 13th-century estate. It’s home to adrenaline-pumping roller coasters and Viking-themed rides, as well as an area dedicated to Thomas the Tank Engine. In the on-site zoo, you can get up close to red pandas, Sumatran tigers and Eurasian lynx.
Getting around Tamworth
Tamworth is around 30 minutes’ drive from the centre of Birmingham and 25 minutes from Birmingham Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular trains connect to the Tamworth railway station and buses travel throughout the town. The centre of Tamworth is compact enough to explore on foot.