Major city · United Kingdom
Tamworth
Give Tamworth one night, or a half-day between trains: castle, church and canal walk are all inside a 15-minute walk of the station.
Tamworth is a small Staffordshire town with a Norman castle on the site of the Mercian royal stronghold, a 14th-century parish church and a canal towpath, all within walking distance of a station on two main lines. Most travellers pass through on the West Coast or Cross Country route; the town works as one night, or as a stop of three to four hours if you are changing trains anyway. Drayton Manor and the Belfry sit just outside, which is what pulls families and golfers to stay longer.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, wet, short days)
- Airports
- BHX · EMA · MAN
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Tamworth999 ▾
- Emergency (police, fire, ambulance)999
- Emergency from any phone112
- NHS non-urgent advice111
- Police non-urgent101
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Tamworth, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyA low-crime small town; the real risks are a dark canal towpath after rain, Friday-night drinkers around Market St…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 emergency (police, fire, ambulance) · 112 emergency from any phone · 111 NHS non-urgent advice
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBHX Birmingham Airport (About 17 miles south; train to Birmingham New Street, then Cross Country to Tamworth, roughly 1 h 15 min door to door.).
- Getting aroundThe centre is small and flat: castle, church, market street and canal are all within about 15 minutes on foot from Tamworth station.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea in a café£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealPub main course£10–16 (≈ US$14–25)
- BeerPint of draught beerHigher in the town-centre bars on a Saturday.£4–6 (≈ US$6–8)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi, 2 miles£6–9 (≈ US$8–12)
- Metro or bus rideLocal bus single in town£2–3 (≈ US$3–4)
- Museum or sight ticketCastle or museum entry£7.50–10 (≈ US$10–14) adult
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per room£100 (≈ US$140)
- Mid-range bedChain or pub double room, a night, per room£100 (≈ US$140)
- High-end bedChain or pub double room, a night, per room£150 (≈ US$200)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £45 (≈ US$60) · Mid £85 (≈ US$120) · High £160 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BHX Birmingham Airport (About 17 miles south; train to Birmingham New Street, then Cross Country to Tamworth, roughly 1 h 15 min door to door.) · EMA East Midlands Airport (About 27 miles northeast; road via A42 and M42 to junction 10, roughly 40 min by car.) · MAN Manchester Airport (Train to Manchester Piccadilly, then south via Crewe and Stafford; longer and usually not worth it unless the fare is much cheaper.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jun
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jul
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Sep
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jun (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tamworth: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
12 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
10 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
11 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
May
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
Jun
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Aug
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
10 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
12 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
12 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is small and flat: castle, church, market street and canal are all within about 15 minutes on foot from Tamworth station. Local buses run along Corporation St and Victoria Rd rather than from a bus station. Taxis are cheap for short hops; there is no tram, metro or useful local rail within town.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Lichfield
goDoor to door: About 30–40 min
Train from Tamworth, about 10–15 min, or bus X65 about 20 min
Cathedral and the Samuel Johnson birthplace; easy half-day.
Drayton Manor Theme Park
goDoor to door: About 20–30 min
Car or taxi from the centre, about 10 min; no direct train
Check the calendar: the park runs limited off-season days.
Door to door: About 40 min
Cross Country train, four an hour, about 20 min
Best big-city day or evening out from Tamworth.
Stoke-on-Trent
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Train north via Stafford or Crewe, change as needed
Doable but a long half-day; check connections.
Cannock
cautionDoor to door: About 40 min
Road via A5 northwest, about 30 min by car
Awkward without a car; the chase is the draw, not the town.
Uttoxeter
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Train via Derby or road via A50
Racecourse days only, unless you are passing through.
Stafford
goDoor to door: About 50 min
West Coast line train north, about 30–40 min
Useful if you are heading to Crewe, Manchester or the northwest.
Leek
skipDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Road via A50 and A53, about 1 h by car
Too far for a comfortable return day without a car.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre (Bolebridge St, Lichfield St, Aldergate)
Walk to the castle, church, pubs and the station in 5–15 min. Best for a one-night stop without a car.
Ventura Retail Park / Jolly Sailor roundabout
Chain hotels with parking, 20–25 min walk from the centre; good if you are driving to Drayton Manor or the M42.
Wilnecote and M42 junction 10
Motorway-side and south-side hotels; convenient for drivers, poor for a car-free evening in town.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £45–70 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- £70–120 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- £120 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Chain or pub double room1 × 1 night × £100 | £100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £85 | £170 |
| Tamworth Castle adult ticket2 × £10 | £20 |
| Bus Birmingham → Tamworth (Arriva 110)2 × £6 | £12 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £8 | £16 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £32 |
| Trip total≈ £175 per person per day, bed included | £350≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in pounds; intercity rail and theme-park tickets excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea in a café | £3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub main course | £10–16 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Pint of draught beerHigher in the town-centre bars on a Saturday. | £4–6 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Fish and chips | £9–14 (≈ US$12–19) |
| Local bus single in town | £2–3 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Taxi, 2 miles | £6–9 (≈ US$8–12) |
| Castle or museum entry | £7.50–10 (≈ US$10–14) adult |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Tamworth station has two levels on different lines: check which platform your train uses before you commit to a coffee.
- Step-free access and the platform 3 lift have been out of action at times: check before travelling with heavy bags or a wheelchair.
- Long-distance coaches do not serve Tamworth; you change in Birmingham for the local bus.
- Castle and church opening hours are limited and can change for events: check the day before.
- Match days at The Lamb Ground and Drayton Manor school holidays fill the town-centre hotels: book ahead.
Emergency numbers
- Emergency (police, fire, ambulance)
- 999
- Emergency from any phone
- 112
- NHS non-urgent advice
- 111
- Police non-urgent
- 101
Pocket card
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TamworthTamworth
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Emergency999
- Emergency (any phone)112
- NHS non-urgent111
- Police non-urgent101
Embassy
No embassies in Tamworth; the US Embassy is in London, with a consulate in Birmingham. Most other countries: London, some with consulates in Birmingham or Manchester.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Tamworth → Birmingham, Cross Country: about £6–9 (≈ US$8–12), 20 min
- Tamworth → London Euston, hourly: about £30–70 (≈ US$40–95) advance, 90 min
- Bus Birmingham → Tamworth, Arriva 110: about £6 (≈ US$8), 70 min
Say or show
- Single / return ticket, please — Single / return ticket, please
- Is this seat taken? — Is this seat taken?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the platform for Birmingham? — Where is the platform for Birmingham?
- The bill, please — The bill, please
- No service charge, thanks — No service charge, thanks
Tipping: 10–12.5% in restaurants if no service charge is added; not expected in pubs.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Tamworth. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, wet, short days) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 8 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for BHX and EMA: last trains, taxi fallback and the overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: castle and church, market street and Ankerside, canal and leisure island, station and Ventura.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Tamworth Castle, Church of St Editha, SnowDome, Drayton Manor) and eat pages with last orders.
- Match-day and school-holiday fixtures so the town-centre bed supply can go green.
Sources
- officialTamworth Borough Council
- officialTamworth Castle
- officialChurch of St Editha, Tamworth
- officialSnowDome
- officialDrayton Manor Theme Park
- officialBirmingham Airport
- officialEast Midlands Airport
- officialKingsbury Water Park
- secondaryWikivoyage: Tamworth (England), revision 5322401 (CC BY-SA 4.0)