to ask what on earth there is to do tomorrow (Saturday) daytime with 20 year old DD in Birmingham

[catshavefeelings]

That's it really - we're in need of inspiration. Have transport so can travel a little way.

[priscilla101]

^^abbie!

[abbierhodes]

Startail, you're welcome not to come!!
Birmingham has 3 cathedrals and a LOT of history. There are plenty of swimming pools, ice rinks, parks, cinemas, theatres etc. I'm not going to add to the already long list of suggestions here but I can assure you I've never been bored! Wonder where you live that's so exciting?

[catshavefeelings]

Still waiting for DD to get up, so we haven't gone anywhere yet

[sarahtigh]

the city art gallery has the best collection of paintings from Pre-Raphaelite brotherhood in the country if that is your thing

[PlaygroundPolitics]

Oops. Wrong thread.

[PlaygroundPolitics]

Yabu

[Southeastdweller]

Yep, agree there's nothing to do in the centre apart from shop and even that takes a certain amount of nerve wth the Saturday crowds, especially this weekend. I second the Ikon gallery and cafe.

[sarahtigh]

botanic gardens out at edgbaston think No. 21 BUS but check it has been years since I was there

[alistron1]

In bournville, as well as Cadbury world there are also 2 Tudor houses to visit (selly manor and minworth greaves) If you're a Tolkein fan there's all sorts of Tolkeiny stuff to visit/look at.

There's the whole of the jewellery quarter - well worth a visit. Personally, I always think the Soho road is worth a visit too. Incredible independent shops and beautiful sari/jewellery displays plus the incredible temple.

[alistron1]

No history? The bullring has been around since the Middle Ages (obvs not as a shopping centre!) and we have a rich industrial heritage. There is loads to do/see. There are museums, a fabulous art gallery, places like the custard factory, the electric cinema, the MAC, symphony hall etc...

Nothing to do except shopping? No history? I'm focking outraged!!!

[BillyBollyBrandy]

There are some great places to eat around St Paul's Square, including Lasan which won the Gordon Ramsey Best Restaurant thingy on the tv.

Think Tank is amazing with the planetarium, as is the art gallery. The Stafforshire Hoard (or part of it) is there, and there is an exhibition on Government Art amongst othes.

There is quite a bit to do apart from shopping...

[Silverlace]

Go to the Jewellery Quarter. It is a short bus ride or train/tram from Snowhill station. Lots of independent jewellers who make the jewellery on the premises as well as antique dealers and other retail. The independents are the best. Go to Crest on Vyse St. He is brilliant. There is also a very good museum showing the history of the Jewellery Quarter and how jewellery used to be made. It also has a nice cafe.

Thanks for reminding me of Oasis. Has brought back memories of shopping with first bf for him to buy some black pvc trousers, mid 80s. He was 6 ft, thin and looked gorgeous in them. Mmmmmm.

[ComposHat]

ooops sorry that post was a bit ranty, I get kind of evangelical about Birmingham!

[ComposHat]

Being a modern city there isn't even any history

Cobblers. It has a rich a history as any city in the UK, more than most in fact.

Birmingham was the first industrialised city in England. The early 19th century saw the formation of the 'Lunar Society of Birmingham' where eminent scientists, writers and philosophers met to discuss the development of modern society. Where Watt and Boulton developed the first practical steam engines. (You can visit SoHO house where it all happened)

This history is written large across the grandiose town hall, council chambers and the livid red brick Victorian buildings that weren't demolished by the Luftwaffe or misguided town planners in the 1960s. You can also see the human cost of rapid industrialisation by visiting the Back to Back houses run by the national trust.

In the 20th century it became the hub of the UK car manufacturing industry which made it a target for the Luftwaffe and after the war became home to people from across the Commonwealth and beyond, who all shaped city life with new clothes, customs and food, hence the amazing Balti Belt.

The history of industrial revolution, empire, decline and post colonisation is inscribed on the very fabric of the city, free for anyone with a set of eyes and a bit of curiosity.

It also has a fantastic City Art Gallery and the oldest operated cinema in England (The Electric, which is an ace Arts cinema).

[Startail]

I'm not convinced it was incense the rag market smelt of

[Startail]

Birmingham, really is dreadful if you don't want to shop.

It's a very cheap train ride, but there is no decent swimming pool, no ice rink in the centre any more and no large London style museums.

Being a modern city there isn't even any history.
Nothing like York and the pitiful cathedral is outshone by Gloucester, Hereford and Worcester. Hereford even manages a swimming pool with a slide.

I have no idea what parents who live in Brum do once their DVs have been to Cadbury world, the think tank and the stupidly overpriced aquarium.

[ComposHat]

I was a child of the Britpop/tail end of grunge era. The rag market did always reek of Incense! I had completely forgotten that.

I did occasionally go to a metal/goth club by 5 ways roundabout with some goth/metal mates.

One (male) friend used to walk from the train station to the club dressed as Frank N Furter from Rocky Horror show. Cars of lads would see him from behind in basque, stockings and high heels, peep horns/wolf whistle only to be confronted by a burly 6ft ginger bloke when he span round.

[IvantaOuiOui]

always went to the rag market for weird old dresses, leather jackets and incense from the hippies who looked like John and Yoko.

[IvantaOuiOui]

I saved up to buy tasselled skirts from Anna Bee. . I thought it was the best place in the world when I was 14. Now I take my daughter to Afflecks for her goth clothes.

[ComposHat]

IvataOuiOUi ahh me too, getting all misty eyed. I remember trying to desperately trying to find a pair of cord flares in Oasis to go with my zip up adidas top from the rag market to wear in Snobs

[IvantaOuiOui]

Am jealous, I miss Brum. I could still spend all day pottering around Oasis and I'm old enough to remember it as it used to be.

[SassySask]

There's an aquarium near the canal, it is beautiful along there!
See if there is an afternoon showing at the theatre or ballet?
Shopping?
Long lunch?

[catshavefeelings]

Thanks for the posts. The Custard Factory sounds a real possibility. And afternoon tea at Hotel du Vin would be fun. And maybe the Cadbury Factory too.

[MathsCat]

You can get the train to Bournville for Cadbury world Viva, every 10 mins from New St (heading to Longbridge or Redditch), takes about 15 mins, then a shortish walk. Even if you don't want to pay to go round the factory they have a good shop. There are some nice restaurants at the back of the mailbox, by the canal, I was pleasantly surprised to find the ones I like have 'normal' restaurant prices, given their location!

[Cerealqueen]

art gallery, shopping, is the christmas market still on?