Are you driving down (or up) and looking for the best places between Manchester and London for a quick stop?
We’ve got you covered!
Driving from Manchester to London is an amazing thing to do and if you want do stop somewhere halfway through, there are a few options for you.
In this article, we tell you everything you need to know about the best places halfway between London and Manchester.
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Birmingham
Birmingham is a great place to stop if you’re driving from Manchester to London. It’s the second-largest city in England and is known for its cultural diversity.
The quicker drive from Manchester to London is 200 miles long and goes through Birmingham (not the city centre but you can get off the motorway to reach it if you want).
Birmingham is located 85 miles from Manchester with is not exactly halfway in terms of mileage but it is in terms of time spent on the road.
Usually you would go around the city on the motorway but if you want to stop for a few hours and visit a city, that’s a good place to do so.
The city has plenty of attractions, including the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham town hall, St. Philip’s Cathedral, St. Martin in the Bull Ring, and other interesting places such as Cadbury World.
If you fancy a walk, head to Brindleyplace and the canal quarter. It’s lovely to walk along the canals and there are loads of bars and restaurants in this area.
The Jewellery Quarter is also a unique neighbourhood worth checking out.
If you want to discover the best of Birmingham in a couple of hours, you can join the local walking tour.
It’s the best way to discover a city in a short amount of time and you will see all the famous landmarks in Birmingham.
Coventry
Coventry is located 100 miles from Manchester which means that it is the exactly halfway point between Manchester and London.
It is smaller than Birmingham but such a great place to visit.
Also, traffic is not as hectic in Coventry which means it will be easier for you to stop here and you won’t be wasting time in the car.
This is a great place to stop for people who like history. Coventry was bombed during WWII and there is a lot to learn here.
You can visit the Coventry Cathedral which is a beautiful place and has some of the most amazing stained glass windows.
The ruins of Coventry’s old cathedral are also worth checking out, especially if you want to learn more about what happened during World War II.
Coventry also have other attractions such as The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, the Transport Museum, and the Coventry Music Museum
Rugby
If you are looking for a small town halfway between Manchester and London, Rugby is a great option.
It is located just after Coventry (117 miles from Manchester). It’s a small and charming town with plenty of attractions for visitors.
Rugby School is one of the most famous places in Rugby. It’s one of the seven original public schools in England and can be visited on saturdays!
You can also go to the Rugby Art Gallery and Museum or, if you are a sports fan, to the 3. Webb Ellis Rugby Football Museum.
Here you will learn everything about the history of one of England’s favourite sports.
Leicester
The quickest way to go from Manchester to London is via Birmingham but there is also another route through Derby and Leicester.
It only takes 10 minutes more and if there is a lot of traffic around Birmingham, it can end up be quicker.
As a general thing, we recommend taking this route if you were to get to Birmingham around rush hours (since that’s when it could end up be much longer).
So, if you are taking this alternative route, Leicester would become the point that is halfway between Manchester and London.
It’s located 105 miles from Manchester and the total length of the drive is 203 miles.
Leicester is a historical city in the East Midlands that would make for a great stop on your way to London (or Manchester).
Here you can visit the Leicester Cathedral, explore the National Space Centre, Leicester museum and art gallery, or visit Abbey Park.
Another spot worth visiting is the King Richard III Visitor Centre where you can learn plenty about this king.
Now that you know the best places halfway between Manchester and London, you can plan your next roadtrip and make sure to include one of these stops for a well deserved break! Have fun and drive safely.
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