From modern-day leisure activities, including a multiplex cinema, snow sports centre, and theme parks, to the historic castle, heritage trail, and castle pleasure grounds, it’s no wonder Tamworth is a town known as Staffordshire’s ‘leisure central’!
Green and walkable, with major attractions in easy reach, Tamworth is also a vibrant shopping destination and offers an intriguing blend of history and state-of-the-art entertainment.
Plenty to fill your time in Tamworth
With a focus on leisure and entertainment running through all attractions, Tamworth’s long history is reflected by a visit to Tamworth Castle, taking visitors on an immersive journey through Tamworth’s past covering 1,000 years.
Tamworth Assembly Rooms offers the very best in theatre experiences from plays, music gigs, tea dances, panto and so much more, Xmas parties are a must.
Tamworth’s landmark SnowDome has more than enough white stuff for those with a yen for winter sports, offering a variety of skiing, snowboarding and skating all year round, as well as the chance to experience some apres-ski atmosphere, sipping hot chocolate in the Alpine Bar. There is also the very latest, state of the art, gym, swimming pools and spa just a short walk on the edge of the town centre.
For indoor fun, check out NAMCO Funscape Tamworth with an arcade, ten pin bowling, and soft play fun as well as an indoor-outdoor adventure golf course, there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained and fed at Clyde’s Bar. Odeon Tamworth with its 10 luxury screens including a state-of-the-art iSense screen, the perfect place to catch up with the latest movies, and maybe a drink from Oscar’s Bar or even your favourite coffee from Costa.
Things to do in Tamworth with your family
There are lots of family-friendly activities on offer, many with a retro vibe, such as Statfold Country Park, where steam train enthusiasts can explore the private collection, enjoy a woodland walk, get their skates on in the retro roller disco, or embrace all the fun of the fair at the National Fairground Museum.
Drayton Manor is a thrill-seekers dream with adrenaline pumping fun and exhilaration at every turn. Daytona Tamworth go-karting track is an ideal day out for visitors who love an outdoor activity with a competitive edge. More outdoor adventures are to be had at NPF Bassetts Pole Adventure Park, where a huge array of activities are on offer from paintballing and airsoft to shock tag, inflatables and survival bushcraft. If bouncing around is your thing, then JumpXtreme will keep you flying high. How about unleashing your inner lumber jack with some axe throwing at LumberJaxs.
Get active in Tamworth’s outdoor spaces
If you want more, then there is always horse riding, golf, fishing and of course plenty of outdoor space to explore any number of Tamworth’s parks and green spaces, an excellent option for outdoor enjoyment without the adrenaline rush. With acres of parkland, beautifully tended gardens and fantastic play areas, Tamworth Castle Pleasure Grounds are intersected by the Rivers Tame and Anker, offering waterside walks, open space for games and picnics, or just a leisurely stroll between the town’s many attractions.
There are several nature reserves in the borough of Tamworth, where families can explore meadows and waterways, and take part in activities including bat walks and bird surveys.
Visitors can also enjoy a variety of nature walks around the town and its surrounds, with island-dotted lakes, meadows, and dappled woodland all waiting to be discovered.
Tamworth Heritage places to visit
As the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Mercia, Tamworth’s heritage goes back to the Saxon era, when Anglo-Saxons and Vikings were the locals. The famous Staffordshire Hoard can be seen on display at Tamworth Castle and find out more about Æthelflæd, The Lady of the Mercians, who ruled the kingdom from 870 and is immortalised in a stunning stained-glass window at St Editha’s Church.
The church is one of many notable locations included on the Tamworth Heritage Trail, a leisurely, easily accessible self-guided tour, just download the Tamworth AR Trails app, which offers an augmented reality experience, bringing historical characters and events to life right in front of you.
Alongside its rich history, impressive leisure facilities, and array of activities, Tamworth has become a major destination due to the wide range of shopping and markets.
Where to go shopping around Tamworth
Tamworth town centre boasts independent shops and businesses at its heart, supported by a twice weekly regular market on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
A little further afield, visitors can pick up tasty treats at the various farm shops and find unexpected treasures at the borough’s plentiful garden centres.
A key draw for the serious shopper is Tamworth’s retail parks. The Ventura, Jolly Sailor, and Cardinal Point retail parks are a short walk from the town centre and nearby attractions.
Across the three parks, shoppers can find major fashion brands, large supermarkets, homewares, and lifestyle brands, as well as a variety of places to eat and drink.
With so much to see, do, and discover, a visit to Tamworth is really packed with adventure.
