Activities in Tamworth

In the heart of the town overlooking the River Anker and the River Tame, Tamworth Castle is a Norman motte-and-bailey fortress with regular re-enactments, events and reconstructions that bring the Medieval castle to life. Built in the 1080s, the castle is one of the best-preserved of its kind in the UK, with visitors able to discover 15 of the rooms and take in the panoramic views from the castle tower. The Tamworth Story neatly sums up the history of the area, including a range of real and replica items, while the grounds include a large play park, crazy golf course, skate park, bowling green and outdoor gym.

It would almost be quicker to list the activities that you can’t do at Kingsbury Water Park, so action-packed is the 600-acre park. With 15 boating and fishing lakes, bike and walking trails, bird-watching hides, donkey rides, a children’s farm, bike hire, picnic areas, playgrounds, stables, orienteering course, several cafés and so much more, the park is a must-visit for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors. And it’s just a 10-minute drive down the M42 from our Tamworth South hotel.

Part of the Drayton Manor Park complex, Drayton Manor Zoo is home to over 100 species of animals including several endangered species which are protected under a range of conservation programmes. One ticket will get you entry to the theme park and the 15-acre zoo where you can discover a wide range of exotic animals including the Sumatran tiger, the South American tapir and the Cuban boa. As well as the dedicated zones for mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, the zoo has a museum, farm, several cafés and restaurants, play areas, picnic tables and you can even book ahead and become a zoo-keeper for the day, where you get to feed the animals and find out more about the conservation work they do at the zoo.

If channelling your inner-Lewis Hamilton on a 1km go-kart track with up to 29 other drivers around 11 corners, hairpins and pedal-to-the-metal straights is your idea of fun, you’ll love Daytona Tamworth. A mile east of the town centre, and a five-minute dash from our Tamworth South hotel, the go-kart track is open daily from 9am-9pm Monday to Saturday and 10am-6pm on Sunday including arrive and drive sessions and longer Grand Prix-style racing with qualifying. With a range of tracks to tackle, several grades of go-karts and races available for children aged eight and over, there’s a wide range of options to choose from.

With acres of countryside, a stunning nature reserve and a historic hall that dates back to the 11th century, Middleton Hall is the perfect place to unwind from it all. A short drive south of Tamworth past Drayton Manor Park, Middleton Hall is made up of several different elements. History buffs will love exploring the hall itself, a historic Medieval manor house that dates as far back as the Domesday book, while the courtyard is home to 12 independent outlets and cafés. There’s also a majestic garden to discover as well as the Middleton Lakes nature reserve run by the RSPB, which is home to a variety of wetlands, woodlands and meadows alive with grey herons, kingfishers and lapwings.

Aimed at younger children, Ash End House Children’s Farm is an adventure-packed farm park where children can collect eggs, ride a pony, jump on a tractor or explore the large indoor and outdoor play areas. There is also a birds of prey centre, a dedicated stables and a creepy critter barn with snakes, spiders and insects. The farm is just a short drive south from our Tamworth Central hotel and is open year round, apart from a few days after Christmas.