Plenty to do come rain or shine in the heart of England
Birmingham's reputation as a rather down-at-heel city no longer holds true since millions of pounds have been spent on regenerating this former star of the industrial revolution. Famed for having more canals than Venice (although this is a bit of a cheat, since Birmingham covers a larger area), it's also said to have more parks than Paris and more hills than Rome. Vibrantly multi-cultural, centrally located, and easily accessed from its surrounding network of motorways, this seemingly eccentric Great Escape makes for a perfect winter break.
The city is pedestrian paradise: its leafy squares are dotted with statues and fine buildings, and the shopping is world-class. The renovated canal system threads its way through the centre and offers a much calmer alternative to the bustling streets. And there are great days out to be had in the rest of the West Midlands, too.