Housing one of the world's finest collections of Pre-Raphaelite art, with works by Rossetti, Ford Madox Brown and Holman Hunt, Birmingham's principal museum and gallery is located in a stunning Victorian building. The museum displays works by British and European artists, along with collections of ceramics, sculpture, silver and stained glass. You can also find archaeological, ethnographic and local history exhibits, including Egyptian mummies.
The Black Country is a large industrial area to the north-west of Birmingham and this museum is a reminder of how things used to be here 100 years ago. It comprises many historic buildings, taken down from elsewhere and re-erected to make an authentic town of a century ago. Highlights include an old-fashioned funfair, a narrowboat ride and a trip down a coal mine, light is deliberately kept to the levels that would have been experienced by the miners. All children and adults can take a lesson in an 1840s school and tour round a Victorian sweetshop, chemist's, nail-making shop and stables, among many other exhibits.
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.
The jewelry industry developed in the city from the mid-19th Century. At its peak in the early part of the 20th Century, it employed nearly 20,000 workers. Today, the Jewellery Quarter is a bustling area that produces over a third of the UK's jewelry, and you can find tons of bargains in its many small shops. It's also home to the award-winning Museum of the Jewellery Quarter and some good restaurants.
Established in 2001, the Thinktank (Birmingham Science Museum) is located with the Millennium point complex. A hands-on museum is an exciting place for children and adults alike. Within the fours storied building, each floor symbolizes a theme. There are scientific demonstrations, future exhibitions that talk about technology and inventions including the study of robotics, that are path-breaking and thus have drawn large crowds. With over 200 scientific displays, the museum draws curious science addicts from all over. A visit to this museum calls for a fun and educational outing.
Le National Sea Life Centre est une des attractions les plus célébrées de la ville ! Un tunnel transparent vous permet d’observer les mystères de l’océan (des requins, par exemple) pendant qu’ils vous encerclent. L’aquarium offre 55 expositions sur la vie aquatique : une exposition sur les d’hippocampes, par exemple, ou sur le crabe araignée de Japon et d’autres crustacés effroyables. Téléphoner pour plus d’information.
Firs Gardens, a triangular-shaped garden, bound by Evesham Place and Grove Road, is named after Grove House that stood nearby. Despite the hum of passing traffic, Firs Gardens retains an air of peace and tranquility. What is more, as they are a little way away from the town center, they are rarely crowded. If you find yourself meandering here, look out for the rose bed which is dedicated to the memory of the "Red Beret" airborne divisions.
The Welcombe Hills is a delightful area. Not far from Stratford-upon-Avon town center, it is best approached on foot from the parking area in Ingon Lane just off the Warwick Road. From here it takes about ten minutes to reach the obelisk (erected in the 1870s in memory of a former owner of the Welcombe estate) where you will be rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The hills cover about 72 acres of land, providing habitat for an abundance of flora and fauna. Picnic tables and a viewing point have been provided for the additional enjoyment of visitors. Although not visible from here, the road that now forms the driveway to the Menzies Welcombe Hotel & Golf Course was once a track used by the Romans for transporting salt across the Welcombe Hills. A further point of local historical interest is that Shakespeare once purchased a share in the local tithes here, and was subsequently involved in a dispute concerning the enclosure of common land.
This parkland covers over 400 acres and contains the historic ruins of the medieval Cistercian Coombe Abbey. The park also contains a large bird hide and boasts course fishing and regular events. These include craft displays, nature studies and car rallies. This is a most relaxing place to visit (even if you bring the children) and the surrounding countryside and country pubs are also worth investigation. Check website for their varying open hours.
Housing one of the world's finest collections of Pre-Raphaelite art, with works by Rossetti, Ford Madox Brown and Holman Hunt, Birmingham's principal museum and gallery is located in a stunning Victorian building. The museum displays works by British and European artists, along with collections of ceramics, sculpture, silver and stained glass. You can also find archaeological, ethnographic and local history exhibits, including Egyptian mummies.
The Black Country is a large industrial area to the north-west of Birmingham and this museum is a reminder of how things used to be here 100 years ago. It comprises many historic buildings, taken down from elsewhere and re-erected to make an authentic town of a century ago. Highlights include an old-fashioned funfair, a narrowboat ride and a trip down a coal mine, light is deliberately kept to the levels that would have been experienced by the miners. All children and adults can take a lesson in an 1840s school and tour round a Victorian sweetshop, chemist's, nail-making shop and stables, among many other exhibits.
The name makes it sound more like a Chinese restaurant than a gambling den, but the Rainbow Casino Limited does indeed offer the usual diversions in what the management calls 'Birmingham's friendliest casino'. Roulette, blackjack, stud poker and a poker room all present a means of increasing your wealth, or having your home re-mortgaged, and there is also a lounge bar with TV and à la carte restaurant. Application forms available from reception, and smart casual dress is a minimum requirement.