Places of Interest
Find out about all the interesting places to visit, both on your doorstep and further a field, how to get there, opening hours, admission prices, what's new and more.
Farms And Gardens
Family farm trips are always fun whatever the weather and the following farms are located around the outskirts of Solihull:
Ash End House Childrens Farm Tel: 0121 329 3240 http://www.ashendhouse.fsnet.co.uk/
Broomey Croft Children's Farm Tel: 01827 873844 http://www.broomeycroftfarm.co.uk/
Hatton Country World Tel: 01926 843411 http://www.hattonworld.com/
Old Rectory Farm/Sheldon Park Tel: 0121 742 0226
Visiting gardens can be a delight, an inspiration or a fact-finding mission whatever the time of year.
Brueton Park Nature Area, Brueton Park, Warwick Road. Tel: 0121 704 0768
A place to see nature as nature intended. With 5 acres of wildlife haven in the heart of Solihull. The Parkridge Centre is your gateway into and out of the Nature Area. Please call in for a cup of tea or coffee - and to find out more about the wildlife and history of the area. All paths are wheel-chair friendly
Castle Bromwich Gardens, Chester Road, Castle Bromwich Tel: 0121 749 4100
Discover these delightful 18th Century restored formal walled gardens within 10 acres. Period plants, parterre vegetable garden, holly maze, fruit trees, gift shop, refreshments, plant sales. Guided tours available. www.aboutbritain.com/castlebromwichhallgardens.htm
Also nearby are Birmingham Botanical Gardens http://www.birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk/ whilst further afield is Ryton Organic Garden
Historic Buildings & Stately Homes
Solihull and the Midlands region has a wealth of historical buildings too numerous to fully list. Further details, including in many cases leaflets and approximate travel times can be obtained from the Solihull Tourist Information & Booking Office. Here are just a few more locals attractions:-
Aston Hall Tel 0121 327 0062
Ann Hathaways Cottage - Part of the Shakespeare experience. Tel 01789 292100
http://www.shakespeare.org.uk/
Baddesley Clinton NT Nr Knowle Tel: 01564 783294 Fax:01564 782706 There are many interesting events and activities during the year at both Baddesley Clinton and nearby Packwood House which are both used in recent TV costume dramas as period locations. Admission prices apply to House and Garden and combined entry tickets to both properties are available. Call for opening and prices http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/
Berkswell Windmill , Windmill Lane. Balsall Common. A fine example of a Warwickshire Tower Mill complete with original machinery. Can be seen from the road. It is open by volunteers for full guided tours on the first Saturday of the month from May-October and some Bank Holiday Mondays, from 12 noon - 4.00pm. There is a small entrance fee and refreshments are available.
Chester House High Street, Knowle Tel: 01564 775840 Fine example of an Elizabethan town house, part of which dates to 1400. Now in use as a library. To the rear is a contemporary Knot Garden. Guided Tours organised during the summer or by prior arrangement. Free admission.Open: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Call for opening times Closed: Wednesday
Knowle Locks They are very pleasant to walk and are teaming with wild flowers and animals, but remember that ducks and swans expect to be fed ! You can also take bikes with you to use the towpaths and local bye-ways to explore the countryside around the canals.
Mary Ardens House/Shakespeare Countryside Museum Tel 01789 293445
http://www.shakespeare.org.uk/
Packwood House NT Nr Lapworth Tel: 01564 783294 16th Century house, whose interiors were redesigned during the 1920's in an idealised Tudor style. Contains a wealth of fine furniture and tapestries. The grounds include a Carolean Formal Garden and a Yew Garden, said to represent the Sermon on the Mount and setting of recent TV costume dramas. There are many interesting events and activities during the year at both Packwood House and nearby Baddesley Clinton. Admission prices apply to House and Garden, and combined entry tickets to both properties are available. Call for opening details and prices. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/
St Alphege Church The Square, Solihull. The church is open daily for visitors and private prayer.
Sarehole Mill Cole Bank Road, Hall Green Tel: 0121 777 6612 18th Century water-powered mill, restored to working order. Displays illustrating various aspects of rural life. Inspiration for Tolkein's Mill in 'Lord of the Rings'. Open: Tuesday - Sunday 1.00pm - 4.00pm from April to October
Selly Manor Maple Road, Bournville Tel:0121 472 0199 A Tudor Manor House with authentic herb garden. Events and tutors all year round. Available for wedding ceremonies.Open: Mid-January - mid-December, Tuesday - Friday 10.00am - 5.00pm Also open: Saturday/Sunday & Bank Holiday Mondays 2.00pm - 5.00pm from April - September www.bvt.org.uk/sellymanor
Shakespeares Birthplace Tel 01789 204016 http://www.shakespeare.org.uk/
Castles
Dudley Castle and Zoo http://www.dudleyzoo.org.uk/
Kenilworth Castle http://www.kenilworthweb.com/
Tamworth Castle http://www.tamworthcastle.freeserve.co.uk/opening.htm
Warwick Castle. Tickets are on sale at Solihull Tourist Information & Booking Office. http://www.warwick-castle.co.uk/
Cathedrals
Birmingham Cathedral is located in St Philips Square just off Colmore Row in the City Centre Tel 0121 262 1840 http://www.birminghamcathedral.com/
Coventry Cathedral, has a wealth of history and celebrated architecture Tel: 02476 227597 http://www.coventrycathedral.org.uk/
Museums & Galleries
There are three intimate gallery spaces within Solihull Arts Complex in the Central Library & Arts Complex in Touchwood. They provide year round exhibitions in the Main Gallery, Community Gallery and Local History Gallery, always worth a visit whilst taking a quiet break from town centre shopping and dining.
Further afield the collection at the Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery represents every era of art, history, science and nature, from the geology of millions of years ago to the products of human creativity and enterprise. Their main building houses one of the world's finest collections of Pre-Raphaelite art, but across six other sites in the city they display work based on specific communities (e.g. the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter), temporary exhibitions in The Gas Hall, and modern art in The Waterhall.
The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, at the University of Birmingham, was named Art Gallery of the Year by the Good Britain Guide in 2004. It houses a gem-like collection of Old Master, Impressionist and 20th-century art, including major works by Rubens, Gainsborough, Turner, Rossetti, Monet, Renoir, Degas, van Gogh and Magritte, and also hosts regular exhibitions.
The Ikon Gallery, which is based in a refurbished neo-gothic school building with a continuously changing programme of artworks across many media - including sound, video, photography, painting, sculpture and installation.
Other museums include:
Berkswell Museum, a few miles out of town they hold a record of small village life in days gone by call 01676 534982. www.baisley.u-net.com/museum.htm
Birmingham & Midlands Museum of Transport, approximately 10 minute drive with a wealth of transport history, notably buses call 01564 826471 http://www.bammot.org.uk/
Birmingham Railway Museum, see the displays, workshops, restoration and memorobilia or even take a train ride call 0121 707 4696 www.vintagetrains.co.uk/brm.htm
Black Country Living Museum, a fascinating trip back to a bygone age with craft and industry demonstrations call 0121 557 9643 www.bclm.co.uk/
Coventry Transport Museum Tel 024 7683 2425 http://www.transport-museum.com/
National Motorcycle Museum, located on 5 minutes from town centre near the NEC call 01675 443311 www.nationalmotorcyclemuseum.co.uk/
Severn Valley Railway - Further afield but well worth a visit for steam buffs call 01299 403816 www.svr.co.uk/
Snibson Discovery Park - Call 01530 278444 www.leics.gov.uk/index/community/museums/snibston.htm
The Think Tank/IMAX Theatre, a wealth of fun science and technology approx 5 miles from Solihull call 0121 202 2222 www.thinktank.ac/
Nature Centres And Zoos
Birmingham Nature Centre Tel: 0121 472 7775
Drayton Manor Zoo Tel 01827 287979 www.draytonmanor.co.uk/
Earlswood Lakes and Craft Centre. 20+ Craft units, walks around the 3 lakes at Earlswood, 3 pubs, Blue Bell woods and lots more www.earlswoodlakescraftcentre.co.uk/
Tickets are on sale at Solihull Tourist Information & Booking Office
National Sealife Centre Tel: 0121 633 4700
Stratford upon Avon Butterfly Farm Tel 01789 299288 www.butterflyfarm.co.uk/attraction/index.php
Twycross Zoo Tel 01827 880250 www.twycrosszoo.com/
West Midlands Safari Park Tel 01299 402114 http://www.wmsp.co.uk/ Tickets are on sale at Solihull Tourist Information & Booking Office
Theme Parks
For those who enjoy wild rides and day long entertainment, tickets to these popular theme parks are available from Solihull Tourist Information & Booking Office
Alton Towers Tel 0870 5204060 http://www.altontowers.com/
Drayton Manor Theme ParkTel 01827 287979 www.draytonmanor.co.uk/
Contact Details
Tourist Information
telephone: Tourism - 0121 704 6130, Tickets - 0121 704 6962
fax: 0121 704 8224
email: tourism@solihull.gov.uk