Proudly proclaiming the fact that it is "Europe's largest", the Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm affords a peaceful retreat away from all things Shakespearean. Hundreds of butterflies can be viewed at close quarters, many of the species sporting spectacular colors. For those interested in less attractive, more frightening creatures, other insect displays are available, including stick insects, leaf-eating ants and the world's largest spider.
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust owns and operates the five Shakespeare Houses in and around Stratford. Three of these, Shakespeare's Birthplace, Hall's Croft and Nash's House & New Place, are in Stratford itself. The other two, Anne Hathaway's Cottage and Mary Arden's House, are set in the outlying villages of Shottery and Wilmcote respectively. Each of these beautifully preserved Shakespeare Houses gives you the chance to fully imagine the world inhabited by the most famous playwright and poet in history.
As the only surviving example of the once prevalent Back to Backs of Birmingham, these historic buildings are a rare treasure. During the 19th Century, a number of buildings were built back to back around a common courtyard to meet the demands of the rapidly growing population of the city as a result of industrialization. These houses were inhabited by the working class who managed to survive in these cramped quarters. Each of the four Back to Backs around the courtyard has been restored and refurnished as a representation of four different time periods, giving visitors an extremely rare opportunity to take a peek into the lives of the ordinary working men and women of the 1840s, 1870s, 1930s and 1970s. Only a few slots are available each day and prior reservations are a must if you wish to visit these homes.
Warwick es conocido como el castillo medieval más importante de Inglaterra. Se encuentra a 30 minutos en coche de Birmingham, y consta de más de 1000 años de historia inglesa. Aquí hay murallas, torres, e aun una cámara de prisión y tortura: todo absolutamente auténtico y en excelentes condiciones. Las exhibiciones incluyen una de armamento medieval y una de obras de cera de alrededor de 1898. Los terrenos, entre ellos los jardines Peacock y Rose, son especialmente populares. Aquí se realizan numerosos eventos por año, como por ejemplo el festival Medieval, Flight of the Eagle y Meet the Castle Craftsmen. Los horarios y precios de las entradas varían, por lo que se recomienda visitar el sitio web para más detalles. Llamar al +44 871 265 2000 para más información.
Estos jardines finos abrieron sus puertas en 1832 y fueron diseñados por John Claudius Loudon, un importante paisajista y periodista hortícola. Los jardines brindan la oportunidad de ver una de las zonas verdes más bellas del mundo, junto con unos impresionantes invernaderos. Algunas atracciones además de plantas son un aviario cubierto, un restaurante con una vista fantástica de los jardines, un parque de juegos para niños, una tienda de regalos y plantas, y una galería que muestra obras de artistas locales.
El Mundo de Cadbury tiene todo para los niños y adultos quienes son amantes del chocolate. Quienes visiten el lugar podrán disfrutar de las distintas atracciones, recorridas por la fábrica, demostraciones de fabricación de chocolate y, lo más importante, rebajas en la tienda del lugar. También podrán aprender más sobre la historia del chocolate y de la familia Cadbury gracias a las exposiciones interactivas. Una recomendación: el recorrido Cadbury es muy popular, por lo que sería bueno hacer su reserva con anticipación. Los horarios de la fábrica varían, así que visiten el sitio web o llamen al +44 844 880 7667 antes de la visita.
There are numerous free brochures as well as more in-depth guides for sale here. You can also buy tickets for theater productions and other events. Don't worry if your English isn't great as the staff are multilingual. Birmingham Visitor Information Center is situated in the heart of the city center, about five minutes' walk from New Street station.
The Birmingham Eco Park is a center for environmental education managed by the Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black County. It is also the site for the PAWS society (People and Services for Wildlife) which is the practical conservation facility of the Wildlife trust. The park offers a wide range of educational activities on environment and wildlife such as natural arts and crafts, animal spotting, pond dipping and sessions on how to grow trees and vegetables. It also has a number of interesting demonstration features on renewable energy such as wind turbines, solar panels and a water treatment plant. The variety of natural habitats located in the park make it a rich and diverse ground for woodlands, grasslands, orchards and wildflower meadows which are sure to delight any nature enthusiast. The park may not always be open to public, so it is advisable to check with the concerned authorities before visiting. Activities for large groups in training and education are charged and not free.
The Singers hill Synagogue also known as the Birmingham also known as the Birmingham Hebrew Congregation is the largest and oldest Victorian synagogue in the country, dating back to the mid nineteenth century. It is a Grade II listed heritage building featuring Neo-classical, Romanesque and Italian architecture with a Norman wheel window in the front brick facade which also makes it a popular tourist attraction in the area. It has a large and diverse congregation of Jews from the area who use the synagogue as community and social center as well as a place of worship. A wide variety of service and clubs fro all age groups are available for members. Every year, the synagogue opens its doors for a Heritage Open Day where the public can tour the building with an information guide and also see a Jewish concert by the Kol Kinor choir. Apart from open days, it welcomes schools, colleges and other educational and social organisations to tour its premises provided that advance booking is done. Through these programs, the congregation wishes to give the public an insight into Jewish culture and build strong relations with other religious communities to strive towards a tolerant and friendly society.
Visit the Falcon Center in West Hagley, Stourbridge featuring a great selection of birds from all over the world. The tours offer bird handling and flying experiences for the visitors; it means you can participate in handling different species of birds and seeing them taking a flight. Hawks, eagles, vultures, owls are few birds of prey in the center. It is an entertaining attraction for family visits, school picnics, corporate trips and private events where you can keep the birds on an informative display or entertain guests by seeing them fly.
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway was built in the 19th century and once provided links from Birmingham to Cheltenham. A team of enthusiastic volunteers has been working on the line since the early 1980s and while it runs on a limited line at the moment, there are plans to extend it further. However, it does run through some beautiful Vale of Evesham countryside and the Malvern Hills. There are various special excursions and there are courses for those who have always had a hankering to be an engine driver.