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South of Birmingham, the Malvern Hills AONB has long been known as a source for spring water—in fact, its home to the world’s oldest mineral water bottling operation. While it’s worth popping by just to fill up your bottles, you’ll likely be tempted to linger. Fortunately, there are solid options for staying the night, whether you’re the camping type or prefer the luxury of a glamping tent.
An hour’s drive east of Birmingham, on the border of Wales, the Shropshire Hills AONB offers beautiful, hilly scenery and ample opportunity for cycling, walking, or just driving around and taking in the scenery. While there are loads of spots to camp in the area, glamping reigns supreme—expect to find options ranging from tipis to treehouses.
The best time to visit Birmingham is between late spring and early autumn, when the weather is at its finest (and driest), but prime camping weather is in July and August. Summer is chock-full of festivities, including the biannual Birmingham International Dance Festival in June and the Birmingham, Sandwell & Westside Jazz Festival in July. While August usually has particularly lovely weather, things can get crowded due to school holidays.