We would very much like to locate the best restaurants or eateries in the Midlands area for you and your children.
We would really like to know if you have been to any unusual and sophisticated places that have allowed you excellent
dining facilities with your children. If you have any recommendations please click here.
Take a look at what is happening at the Birmingham museums over the next few weeks here.
Details of the top ten attractions for kids here.
The Lickey Hills Country Park lies 11 miles south west of Birmingham city centre
and covers an area of 524 acres. The hills are covered by a mosaic of mixed deciduous woodland, conifer plantations and heathland.
All are rich in a variety of wildlife. The park has achieved The Green Flag Award for its facilities and management for the
last two years.
Facilities available at the Visitor Centre include information, cafe, toilets, picnic area, adventure
playground, souvenirs, and wheelchair pathway with viewing gallery. On the park: bowls, tennis, putting, 18-hole golf course,
cafe, permanent orienteering course, nature trail, and toposcope.
Lickey Hills Country Park
Umberslade Children's Farm - Try a natural day out with the kids to Umberslade and use the opportunity
to visit their excellent farm shop for one of the best pies we have tasted. THE FARM SHOP IS OPEN EVERY DAY FROM 9.00
am UNTIL 5.00pm for traditional farm produce and home cooking. Theyproduce quality beef, pork, lamb, chicken, dry cure bacon,
sausages, burgers, dry cure ham, turkeys and geese (for Christmas), hard and soft goats' cheese, goats' milk and free range
hen and duck eggs.
Children's Birthday Parties are available at weekends, during Half terms and throughout the school
holidays. There are four 'time slots' each day. The first one is from 10.30 until 1.00. The second one is from 11.30 until
2.00. The third one is from 1.30 until 4.00 and the fourth one is from 2.30 until 5.00.
For any further information, please
telephone 01564 742251.
Umberslade Farm, Butts Lane, Tanworth-in-Arden, Warwickshire. Just 3 miles south of the M42
(Junc 3 or 4). Follow the signs to Tanworth and the Childrens Farm.
CLICK HERE FOR THE WEBLINK
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
If you’re hunting for somewhere to spend a summer’s day in the West Midlands, that both
you and the kids will enjoy, look no further than Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
Opened back in 1832, this was originally
a place for the gentile folk of Edgbaston to soak up the sun and see some green places during a time when both industrial
and family housing seemed to be taking over what was once a lush area. According to staff at the Botanical Gardens, it’s
pretty much the same in 2006 as it was then. The proprietors of the nineteenth century gardens made it their life long work
to source as many exotic and semi-exotic plants as possible, leaving us 170 odd years later with a glorious historical collection
of ‘New World’ species; many of which date back to the 1500’s.
The gardens are spread over 15 acres,
this seems like a huge area to visit and expect to see everything but it’s possible. Different areas are clearly signed,
with any special displays or exhibitions being well promoted both outside and within the gardens. Also the paths through the
grounds are laid out in such a way that you’re gently shepherded through the gardens to ensure you see as much as you
want to see.
Stepping through the front entrance you’ve overcome with a sense of peace. Sounds twee I know, but
there’s a busy road which more or less circles the Botanical Gardens yet from the first glimpse of all the green lushness
you can forget the noise of modern Birmingham. The place is just peaceful and such a change from the Whacky Warehouse approach
of kids' entertainment.
Most of the plants are kept and displayed in huge glasshouses, which are all temperature and
humidity regulated to the collections requirements. Every single one of these glass houses is a work of art. My 7 year old
son went for his school trip and loved it. To find out more visit their website.
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We would also like to know of any good family events that are taking place over the coming months. Once again email
here.
Check out the Birmingham 08 website, giving you information on everything that is going on in the City over the forthcoming months.
Saturday 17 to Saturday 31 May 2008
Young Readers Birmingham is an
annual festival featuring the best
children’s authors, illustrators,
storytellers and poets at libraries and other venues around
the city.
Join the Young Readers mailing list | |
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Look out for our local Family Fun Days happening at lots of libraries across the city
during half term week. Plus storytelling at Birmingham Nature Centre and Soho House and a special Young Readers Birthday celebration
at Central Library including a treasure hunt, face painting, disco dancing and the chance to meet Winnie the Witch! Find out
about half term events across the city and the special half term events at Sutton Libraries festival. |
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Meet two of the UK's top authors. Darren Shan, famous for his vampire tales will be talking about his new title in The
Demonata Series ( Library Theatre, 28 May) and Melvin Burgess will introduce his thriller Sarah's Face ( Centre for the Child and Sutton Library, both 30 May ). The events are free, but you need tickets for the Darren Shan event - book by telephone on 0121 303 2323
and your tickets will be sent out to you or call in to the Box Office in Central Libray to pick up tickets in person (online booking is not available for free events). Find out more about these events and other half term activities. |
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This year, we have a FANTASTIC theatre event to close the Young Readers festival, taking
place in the Library Theatre, just round the corner from Central Library.
Saturday 31 May 2 showings at 1pm-2.05pm
and 4pm-5.05pm
Potted Potter - The Unauthorised Harry Experience - A Parody by Dan and Jeff takes you through
all the Harry Potter books in 60 minutes!
Tickets are £2.50 each or £10 for a family
ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children). Book online now at Birmingham Box Office. Find out more about this show and other events during half term. | |
Family Holidays
Have you been to a good family destination. If so let us know and we will feature the destination of the week.
Just Click.
Ashridge Farm is a traditional bed and breakfast, located in the parish of Sandford and close
to historic Crediton. The 190-acre organic farm, which is described as a “working nature reserve”, has
a wide range of farm animals, including sheep, cattle, chickens and pigs. Owners Richard and Jill Burston are very
environmentally minded, which is reflected in the fact that they have been awarded the Ottery Trophy for Conservation. Guests
are encouraged to get involved with everyday farm life, making Ashridge a great place for families with children to spend
a weekend away and experience life down on a real farm. Richard and Jill encourage people to join in with farming
activities, including feeding the animals, haymaking and lambing. There are also many walks available to guests on the farm,
who are free to roam and explore the surrounding countryside. Because the farm is in such a central location, guests
also have easy access to Dartmoor, Exmoor and the rest of Devon’s beautiful countryside. Richard said: “I
am sure that the people of Exeter would really enjoy coming out to us and spending a few days in quiet, relaxed surroundings.” Earlier
this year, the family converted some old farm buildings into very comfortable en-suite accommodation. This includes a family
room, a twin room with full disabled facilities, including a wet room, and a single room. There is also a functions
room perfect for business events and meetings. The conversion was carried out in a very environmentally friendly way.
The walls have been insulated with wool, while only natural paints and wood preservatives were used in the restoration work.
The central heating system is also powered by wooden pellets, so is carbon neutral. And after a good night’s
sleep, guests at Ashridge Farm can look forward to home-cooked food, often made from Richard and Jill’s own garden or
farm produce. Details on staying at the farm can be found on the website http://www.ashridgefarm.co.uk/
Ecocabin provides the ideal setting for your enviromentally friendly self-catering
Shropshire holiday in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Ecocabin nestles in a peaceful, secluded valley
in the South Shropshire Hills, and offers stunning glimpses of the landscapes beyond. Ecocabin supports the local economy
and environment. Ecocabin's self catering Shropshire holiday accommodation was purpose-built following ecological design
and building principles. A 'buy local' shopping service is available and local artists' work is on display in the cabin.
For further details please check this link.
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