There is so much to discover in the cities around the UK and Birmingham, our second city, has loads for all of the family, with museums, places of interest, hundreds of eateries and a huge array of shops, not to mention the amazing curry houses in Ladypool Road.

Here’s some of the FREE places that you could visit:

Birmingham Natural History Museum (https://www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/bmag) is a firm favourite in my family, with its ever changing exhibitions as well as all of my old favourites including the Egyptians and Children’s toys, there is something for every age group to discover and when you need a rest you can head into the Victorian tea room to sample their delights.

Cannon Hill Park and the MAC centre is a great place to run around, row across the lakes or if you have some pennies to spare try out the crazy golf courses…they are harder than they look. The MAC centre has a huge range of child centred activities throughout the year, checkout their website for up to date information https://macbirmingham.co.uk/ and opening times for the café.

The Jewellery Quarter is great for a wander, a place where you can dream of the diamond you might like or just admire the craftmanship, pop into the https://penmuseum.org.uk/ which currently costs £7 for an adult (correct at July 2022) or investigate all things ghostly at Warstones Lane Cemetery.

The Ikon Gallery is a must for art enthusiasts and doesn’t cost a penny.  Their website will keep you updated on their current exhibits https://www.ikon-gallery.org/exhibition/yhonnie-scarce-salote-tawale-and-osman-yousefzada

Lord of the Rings fan? Why not retrace Tolkien’s steps and discover the inspiration behind his writing with this great trail around the city and further afield. It covers Sarehole Mill, Moseley Bog, King’s Heath, Edgbaston Waterworks Tower and the Oratory. Find out more about his life and his childhood memories and how Birmingham shaped his imagination to create Middle Earth in his ever-popular books. Download the map form here file:///C:/Users/squig/Downloads/Birmingham%20Tolkien%20Trail%20(1).pdf

https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/visit-us/birmingham based in Sutton Park provides a wonderful home to Donkeys in need, if you go please make sure to wave at my adopted donkey Oscar.

Gas Street Basin was once the unloved centre of the city with its canal network unusable and filled to the brim with rubbish, although it didn’t stop Sir Cliff Richards filming a little known movie called Take Me High in 1973.

Today the waters are clear and used by hundreds, lined with trendy bars and restaurants it makes for an ideal walk…especially good on a Sunday afternoon when the Jazz gets going.

If you have a few quid to spare, £7.50 for adults and £3.75 for kids (correct at July 2022) then don’t miss out on https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/conservationpark one of my all time favourite places to go in the city with a lovely collection of animals including the cutest of red pandas.

Failing all else then just take to the streets and keep your eyes upwards to take in the wonderful buildings such as the Town Hall, Victoria Square and the Cathedral and not forgetting Bully who takes pride of place in the Bullring Shopping Centre.