Loughborough to Birmingham drive: Distance, time & best stops
The best road trip stops on the Loughborough to Birmingham drive are Conkers, Twycross Zoo and Tamworth. The distance from Loughborough to Birmingham by car is 41 miles, with a 55m driving time.
Finding things to do between Loughborough and Birmingham
The Loughborough to Birmingham drive takes you from an East Midlands university town to the biggest city in the West Midlands.
University town Loughborough isn’t overblessed with attractions, but vintage train fans will enjoy the Great Central Railway. It proudly boasts that it is the country’s only double track mainline heritage railway.
The trains run to Leicester, and it’s one of the easiest opportunities to ride a steam train in England. There’s also an opportunity to drive one of the steam trains, with the Great Central Railway’s Drive A Loco package.
Top Birmingham experiences include historic gangs walking tours that lean heavily on Peaky Blinders, public art tours, learning new skills at the Bear Grylls Adventure and exploring the Jewellery Quarter.
Loughborough to Birmingham distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Loughborough to Birmingham is 41 miles. That’s going the along the quickest route via the A512, A42 and M42. The Loughborough to Birmingham drive takes around 55 minutes. The best stops on the Loughborough to Birmingham drive are Conkers, Twycross Zoo and Tamworth.
Loughborough to Birmingham drive: Conkers
Conkers near Ashby-de-la-Zouch is part of the National Forest, and is a great favourite of outdoorsy kids. Along with the adventure play areas, there’s a fairy labyrinth, an activity trail, a splash park and a barefoot walk. The latter is all about getting the feel for different surfaces, whether mud, rocks, grass or soil. There’s also a ropes course with zipline.
Things to do between Loughborough and Birmingham: Twycross Zoo
Twycross Zoo in Leicestershire is famous for the chimps that starred in the PG Tips adverts, but there’s more to see than just the primates.
The zoo also runs several special animal encounters. You can try a close encounter with a giraffe, amur leopard or penguins, or take part in the Keeper For A Day programme.
Loughborough to Birmingham drive attractions: Tamworth
In Fazeley, just south of Tamworth, the Drayton Manor Resort is a theme park and zoo. The zoo section plays home to more than 500 animals, including a Sumatran tiger and red panda. The strength is in the child-oriented rides, however – especially in the Thomas the Tank Engine-themed section.
Just off the M42 south of Tamworth, you’ll also find the Cliff Lakes aquapark. On the lake, there are five different sections of inflatable slides, trampolines and climbing walls to conquer. You get 80 minutes to complete as much of the obstacle courses as you can.
Alternatively, you can just go for a swim or try your hand at stand-up paddleboarding.
More Birmingham road trips
Chesterfield to Birmingham | Coventry to Birmingham | Derby to Birmingham | Doncaster to Birmingham | Milton Keynes to Birmingham | Northampton to Birmingham | Nottingham to Birmingham | Birmingham to Oxford | Rugby to Birmingham | Sheffield to Birmingham | Birmingham to Shrewsbury | Tamworth to Birmingham | Worcester to Birmingham | Birmingham to York.