Excellent 'living museum' with streets as they were in the height of the industrial Victorian era. A must see for canal boat fans - has many historic narrowboats moored in the basin here - including an old 'steamer' - 'President'
A great family day out - don't miss the trip into the limestone caverns by electric boat at the rear - unique experience - including chance for the kids to 'leg' the boat through a tunnel.

www.bclm.co.uk/
dudleycanaltrust.org.uk/
Tipton Road Dudley, DY1 4SQ
+44(0)121 557 9643
Google map: bit.ly/fz6aoQ

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Historic 1713 Grade 1-listed building in the heart of Birmingham's business district. Burne-Jones windows are a must-see. Open for free 7 days a week with regular services and concerts. Tea / coffee available with small shop during the day.

Colmore Row B3 2QB www.birminghamcathedral.com 0121 262 1840 Nearest station: Snow Hill or New Street
Google map: tinyurl.com/39kfdwo

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Tucked in the corner of the city's main family park, the Midlands Arts Centre is a cultural oasis providing art-house films, intimate theatre productions and various creative courses. But by far its quirkiest and most imaginative space is the compact open-air Arena, a miniature concrete mock-up of a classical amphitheatre. Lying dormant for much of the year, it fills to its 470 capacity for the Sounds in the Round summer music festival.

Cannon Hill Park, Edgbaston - visit www.macarts.co.uk or call 0121 440 3838 for more details.

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These six acres of neatly trimmed Edwardian gardens are a green and fragrant haven worlds apart from the concrete jungle.

Surrounded by magnolias and alone with your thoughts on the Stream Lawn you'll soon recharge your batteries, or for a real treat venture into the Japanese rock garden, complete with teahouse and ornamental bridge.

Weekend and evening events range from open-air theatre to candlelight jazz.

Part of the University of Birmingham, situated off Edgbaston Park Road - visit www.botanic.bham.ac.uk or call 0121 414 3832 for more details

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"They do say the trees can actually move, and can surround strangers and hem them in," a hobbit once said. Enclosed by twitching moss and ancient blackened mounds as you duck through the moist undergrowth, it's easy to see how Tolkien drew inspiration from this place.

Lamenting Birmingham's relentless expansion, he found here an oasis that civilisation passed by, and relaxing quietly beneath a leafy bower, a gnarled trunk twisting above and clasping twigs with its neighbour, you're liable to forget that city life is but a few hundred metres away.

Tucked out of the way between Yardley Wood Road and Wake Green Road, Moseley B13. Hall Green station is closest.

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