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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Days Out in or near Birmingham

30 replies

CointreauVersial · 20/03/2013 13:30

Despite having grown up a mere 20 miles away, Birmingham isn't a place I really visited as a child, so I don't know much about it.

We have a couple of days staying with relatives nearby over Easter, and I would really love to do the "tourist" thing with the family and get to know a new city. We have a car, or can train it. We have been to Cadbury World, but that's about it, and I have vague memories of a museum about canals/industry. There are three demanding DCs to entertain - DS (13), DD1 (nearly 12) and DD2 (9).

Sooo.....can anyone recommend any fun/interesting places to visit in and around Birmingham?

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WhatAGoat · 20/03/2013 13:36

There is loads of things to do depending on what the kids are in to.

Drayton manor just by tamworth theme park cheap tickets if you buy online has Thomas land for the little ones.

Science museum at millennium point in the city centre

Hatton country world loads of outdoor things with animals parks and other farm related stuff

Black Country museum loads of history and interactive stuff

Sea life centre I think it's boring but my partner loves it you can get 2 for 1 tickets

Because of the age I would say Drayton manor, science museum and Black Country museum. Even the bullring would be fun to visit if you haven't been before.

I love Birmingham Grin

onefewernow · 20/03/2013 14:56

West Midlands Safari Park, and fair.

Original poster
CointreauVersial · 20/03/2013 22:35

Sorry, abandoned my own thread....Blush

Thanks for that! I have been to Hatton, as that is near my parents, and I think it is a rip-off, but the Science Museum sounds good.

I'm guessing the Black Country Museum might be the one I went to as a child, but I can hardly remember. Also sounds interesting.

Drayton Manor we wouldn't bother with, as we live on the doorstep of Chessington.

Is the Safari Park in Bewdley? Still going?! I went there for my 8th birthday trip (30-ahem-ahem years ago).

Shopping in the new Bullring - well, I'd love that. Last time I drove through the city the Rotunda was still there.

Anything within walking distance of the city centre?

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WhatAGoat · 21/03/2013 09:19

The science museum is in the middle of town so is the sea life centre. There is also a free museum by the library which is ok if you have a spare hour

Original poster
CointreauVersial · 21/03/2013 19:57

Bumping for the evening crowd.....

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EduCated · 21/03/2013 20:01

The rotunda is still there Wink I love the Black Countey Museum, but it is open air so may want a plan for very bad weather (I would still go in drizzly rain).

ThinkTank is now the new science museum over at Millennium Point.

FaceLikeAPickledOnion · 21/03/2013 20:05

I live 1 minute down the road from safari park, It's great but very expensive. Although you do get a free return pass to use again before November.

Think tank is excellent.

Severn valley railway, also very, very close to me, is excellent.

sassytheFIRST · 21/03/2013 20:29

Pickled onion - you and I are neighbours!

FaceLikeAPickledOnion · 21/03/2013 20:41

Woohoo < hi 5's sassy> do you live in kiddy too?

sassytheFIRST · 21/03/2013 20:46

Bewdley tho in Kidd at the mo as temporarily bunking with inlaws while our house is renovated

FaceLikeAPickledOnion · 21/03/2013 20:50

I love Bewdley! That's where Dh is from. House prices a bit too high there for us, so will have to make do here and just visit. But our aim is to move to Bewdley.

Sorry for thread hijack Op.

Original poster
CointreauVersial · 21/03/2013 22:51

Thread hijack permitted....!

I think I went on Severn Valley Railway as a child. DS would have gone nuts for it a few years ago, but he's now too cool for school at 13.

I heard somewhere that there's a Canal area in central Birmingham which is nice to walk around - anyone know what's to see there (apart from canals, obv)?

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NewFerry · 21/03/2013 23:05

We did a lovely walking tour last Easter. Started at the library walked past the shiny debenhams, through the bullring, out by the post box (?), ended up by the canals at a cafe rouge for a late lunch.
We went with relatives so I think they just took us on a tour they devised, but I'm sure you must be able to get walking tour suggestions. It was great and we're hoping to do the same next week when we go up again.
Possibly not much use with children, but we stopped for a drink at a pub with a tiny theatre upstairs. Called something like the old exchange? Confused

NewFerry · 21/03/2013 23:07

Correction, the old joint stock.
(Just looked it up on google)

Original poster
CointreauVersial · 22/03/2013 16:58

Sounds interesting, Newferry.

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ChocsAwayInMyGob · 22/03/2013 17:02

I'm not sure how far away this would be, but Dudley Zoo was lovely when we went.They had "proper" animals like Tigers, Giraffes and Lions. It was beautifully landscaped too. I think they've just reopened the chair lift.

EduCated · 23/03/2013 10:53

The Mailbox, Newferry Wink

Brindley Place is where all the restaurants are by the canal, also where the Sea Life centre is. You can walk down from there to the Mailbox, which is by New St, which is a nice walk.

NewFerry · 25/03/2013 09:46

Thanks for helping out with the name.
It was very snowy and icy round there yesterday!

MelArt · 26/03/2013 14:39

blog.hotel-latour.co.uk/visiting-birmingham/easter-in-birmingham/ some ideas here for Easter :-) The Easter Funday at the Botanical Gardens sounds nice and family friendly.

Pollaidh · 26/03/2013 17:36

Black Country Museum (reconstructed houses, people in costume, vaguely educational, canal trips where you get to leg through tunnels, mines) great for children, mainly outside so wrap warmly (also drips from canal tunnels stain clothes, so don't wear your best coat).

Bewdley Safari Park still going and has a small amusement park too.

Ironbridge Gorge Museum, a bit like Black Country Museum, try old fashioned food and drinks in pubs, change money for old money, go to school. Really very good.

Severn Valley Railway is brilliant. Runs from Bewdley to Bridgnorth. Maybe present it as a 'Harry Potter' experience? Bridgnorth is pretty and old (more for parents), plenty of tea rooms, a steep inland fenicular railway is fun to go on.

For some countryside and hills (not sure about the weather!) try Cardingmill Valley, in the Shropshire Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Original poster
CointreauVersial · 27/03/2013 22:58

Thanks all for your input! We've planned our itinerary:

Monday - Black Country Museum (weather forecast OK)
Tuesday - central Birmingham, mooch around shops/canals, maybe Science Museum if I can be dragged oit of Selfridges there's time.
Wednesday - (DS won this one) - Gadget Show Live at the NEC Hmm

Looking forward to it....Smile

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Willdoitinaminute · 27/03/2013 23:06

I love the city Art Gallery. They usually have something on for children and you can go and have a look at the new library. If you are National Trust members there are lots of interesting properties around Brum. They often have Easter Egg hunts and activities.

Willdoitinaminute · 27/03/2013 23:11

NB hint for parking. If you park at the NIA it is half the price of anywhere else. And you can walk alongside the canal to the Mailbox then into the central shopping area.

FaceLikeAPickledOnion · 28/03/2013 21:37

We spent a whole day at think tank, and could of spent longer. Have fun :)

Original poster
CointreauVersial · 28/03/2013 22:53

Hot tip on the parking, Willdoit, thanks. I printed off a load of maps today so I'm all set.Smile

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