With Birmingham joining Manchester, Yorkshire and Nottingham amongst others in tier 3 this December, any exciting post-lockdown plans we may have had will have to be shelved a little while longer.
And even with a vaccine on the way, life isn’t exactly going to go back to normal right away. But there is hope for a better year on the horizon, one which will allow us to reconnect with one another, explore the world and most excitingly, to go outside… you remember outside? It’s out there somewhere.
In that spirit, here are a few tentative suggestions for Birmingham families this New Year – enjoy!
1. Day trip
Everyone loves a day trip – a nice, low-maintenance way to get out and about that can be done fairly cheaply if you know what you’re doing!
Zoos and theme parks are a great way to spend a day with family, and discount code sites like Groupon can be used to scour fantastic deals on tickets. Alternatively, sites like TopCashBack can give back an extra few quid off any expenditures.
If your family feels like they’ve done every day trip under the sun and need a change, sites of historical interest can be cracking fun – for instance Stratford Upon Avon, the resting place of the bard himself Mr William Shakespeare, is only a forty-five minute drive from the centre of Birmingham.
2. Holiday
Day trips are all well and good, but if you’re dreaming of a proper adventure under the sun, 2021 might finally be the time to spread your metaphorical wings, and (literally) fly!
For travellers from Birmingham International Airport, Portugal is a highly popular destination with regular flights from BHX to Faro airport.
Boasting a fabulous climate, stunning scenery and plenty to do, this continental hotspot has fast become the rising star of the travel industry over the last decade or so. And with countless stunning properties lining its streets and a booming Airbnb trade, the country has also become a popular location in recent years for Brits seeking holiday homes – you’ll find a few stunning examples through Property Lisbon.
Wherever you decide, let’s hope that long-awaited summer holiday comes sooner rather than later!
3. Stay at home!
We’ve all done enough staying at home to last us a lifetime this year.
But there’s no need to travel too far with what Birmingham has to offer. From major attractions such as Cadbury World and the National Sea Life Centre to heritage highlights such as Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and the Black Country museum, even residents underestimate the treasures of this underrated city.
For TV fans, there’s also the Peaky Blinders tour, which explores the incredible history behind the hit BBC series. And of course, the Bullring is, as every Brummie knows, the best shopping centre in the Midlands – perfect for a spot of retail therapy.
Whatever your 2021 plans are, we wish you health and happiness for the New Year!