Free museum in Birmingham city centre focusing on contemporary art. It's in a very grand building,…read moreso I thought the museum would be big too, but it wasn't. Well there is a lot of empty space, and not that much to see. Few different rotating exhibitions, I saw some on the rave scene in the 80s and also racial violence from the 60-90s. On the way out I accidentally insulted one of the artists, but he just brushed it off.

We visited this museum yesterday and we really liked it. Both the exterior and interior of the…read morebuilding are beautiful. The museum has a terrific selection of paintings from the 15th, 16th & 17th centuries and a particularly good selection of Pre-Raphaelites. There's a *gorgeous*/large Edwardian tea room and also a separate café (the latter is small and attractive). The gift shop isn't very large, but it had some nice items. Also, I had a wonderful conversation with one of the guards; she was very friendly and kind-hearted.

I got some good and bad news about Soho House Museum. The good one is: this is one of the most…read moreinteresting landmarks of Birmingham itself! The bad one is that it's are closed for redevelopment and will just reopen end of June. Well, it's not that bad, actually. I'm a bit suspicious to talk about this fabulous house that it's also my favourite heritage museum in Birmingham. Soho House Museum was residence of Matthew Bolton and don't get confused, it's not about Michael Bolton's house!!! He was a brummie entrepreneur, inventor and founder of The Lunar Society, a group of thinkers that usually met at his house to discuss arts, science, philosophy and other important issues in the 18th century. The whole history about Matthew Bolton, its fascinating life and the importance of The Lunar Society for the history of Industry Revolution in Midlands can be understood better visiting the Soho House. This lovely experience includes seeing this gorgeous Georgian house itself , the garden and a visitor centre. The average adult admission is £ 4 and the visitors centre and garden are for free. They have other options of tour guided during this year so it's better to check the website for more information. As it's difficult to find a favourite part of Soho House, but I would pick the dinning room, where the Lunar Society meeting were placed, and its quite spooky cellar as the highlights of the visiting. All rooms of Soho House are perfectly conserved and there is also a huge collection of coins and his works to be seen there. The shop is also wonderful and the staff is very friendly. I already visited Soho House loads of times and I can't get tired of it. As soon as it is reopen I will be there again, for sure. There is always something new to learn about Matthew Bolton and his house.

Hooray.. Soho House should be open again by the time you read this review!…read more It's been closed recently for redevelopment but fear not as they won't be changing the key characteristics that make this place so interesting. Personally I think there's something extraordinary at being able to walk back through time and experience peoples homes from many years before we existed. This particular house was owned by Matthew Boulton (whose fortune funded the college in the city centre) way back in 1766. It will be interesting to see what development work takes place as they will be keen not to change any of the key foundations. I particularly like the dining room as I can imagine big banquets and jugs of fine wine being enjoyed. Opening its doors this month of the 30th June, there is a community day which is free entry so definitely worth popping down to see what they've done with the place.

I love the location of Oak House. I remember the first time I visited and truly marvelling that as…read moreI passed through the terraced streets of West Bromwich, tucked away is this half timbered Yeoman's house that was built between 1590-1630. With a small walled garden it is a free museum that often has activity days and public events to get you involved with everything from how to wash your clothes with your own pee to the daily life of a Yeoman. I've had the honour of being allowed in the closed off areas and i really wish that they would let you up as there are even more gems to see from a hidden taxidermy collection to stacks of mayoral chairs from when the Black Country local councils became one Sandwell council. It's worth popping by just to see how random it looks in the middle of a housing estate. Fingers crossed they will get the super ancient barn restored and their great plans to make this an even better museum and visitor centre.

this is a small house set in victorian times great to see a bit of historyread more

As I'm sure a large majority of people, I have regularly wandered past this building, never really…read morehaving any intention to go in, despite my curiosity. Last week though I decided to head on in for the first ever time. Being a History student at University, the hall of memory immediately appealed to me. In honour of those who have lost their lives fighting for this country in past wars, the hall offers a humbling atmosphere, for people like myself to silently pay their respects. The haven for this fantastic opportunity is beautiful building, one definitely worthy of its interior and significance. If you do make a visit, be sure to sign the visitors book and note down anything in particular you feel necessary after your look around.

I'd always walked past this stone dome on Centenary Square without much of a clue about what was…read moreinside it. My curiosity finally won out and I went inside for the first time last year. It is a humbling place to visit and very peaceful. There is a large marble shrine in the centre, which holds a glass case containing the books of remembrance for the first and second World Wars. The name of every known Birmingham citizen who died fighting in those wars is listed in these books. There is also a Roll of Honour for those who have died in wars since. It is terribly sad. This beautiful building, with its stained glass, marble and bronze statues makes a fitting tribute.

PART I, SUDBURY HALL: Actually, the 17th century Sudbury Hall and its (much later) enclosed Museum…read moreof Childhood are one item - but you can visit them separately, and pay separately. Of course, it makes much more "sightseeing sense", if such a thing exists, to combine the two - price-wise, it does too. You will still end up with a UKP 18.30 bill, which is quite hefty, and the reason I cannot award this attraction the full 5 stars. Adults will find Sudbury Hall to be the far more significant one: A very fine stately mansion, owned and inhabited by the family who had it built in 1680-80 until the year 1969, when it was donated to the National Trust. Most of what's inside, in terms of furniture at least, actually comes from late 19th, early 20th century. But still splendid to look at. The main attraction is the astonishing 40 metres long Great Hall, which simply looks stunning and is filled with 2nd tier portraits of family members and (other) notables from the 17th to 19th century. The furniture you'll find in some rooms is a bit on the bland side, but there many interesting objects strewn around. There are very few art objects and paintings inside you'd recognize as outstanding; but then the Vernons didn't belong to the highest of nobility either. I've visited many mansions in England and Scotland over the past 10 years, and Sudbury Hall certainly sits on the lower middle end, three rungs below the most wonderful such place I ever visited, Castle Howard in Yorkshire. But maybe because it's not quite as refined as some others, it allows you an even more interesting glimpse into the everyday lives of the lower nobility. The café is rather nice indeed, though usually as crowded and loud as the attached Museum of Childhood, as those will both be full of industrious little terrorists (i.e. children). If you're in the Derby-Burton-Nottingham area and only have time to visit one country mansion, then I suggest you'll make that Kedleston Hall near Derby, which is far more imposing and luxurious. And easier to get to. Sudbury Hall offers a large car park that's a few minutes walk from the house. By bus, use the hourly 401 service between Tutbury and Uttoxeter. PART II: THE MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD: The Museum of Childhood is located on the grounds of Sudbury Hall (in the former stables of that mansion) - and if you're visiting the stately mansion, it certainly makes sense to include the museum in your tour. It covers two floors of various aspects of childhood (and the history thereof), but mostly focuses on toys of the past 200 years. And there are plenty! If you're at all interested in historic toys, you will find hundreds of those: Dolls, doll houses, board games ... anything, really. Some of them are so elaborate and precious you wouldn't let your own, or anyone's, kids play with them. It will probably cost you about an hour to sample the many exhibits, and while the place can feel a tad cramped (especially with that multitude of real-life little critters running about), it's a worthwhile addition to the main attraction, Sudbury Hall. Having said that, the price (even of the combined ticket) is a bit steep (hence, -1 star). I paid UKP 18.30 for an adult ticket to both places. You can unwind at a rather nice attached café, though when the place is busy, that one will be, too. Very helpful and friendly volunteers from National Trust running about. Unless you go there by car, take the hourly 401 bus from nearby Tutbury.

A National Trust owned property that is a great day out for all the family.Sudbury hall is a…read morefantastic house full of highly decorated rooms.Then there is the childhood museum, see toy's from year's ago, for adult's it takes you back to your childhood.For children it is a delight with play area's and fun thing's to do,but also educational.Visit the victorian school, complete with teacher!.

An atmospheric glimpse into the lives of the ordinary people who helped make Birmingham the city it…read moreis today. On a fascinating guided tour, we stepped back in time at Birmingham's last surviving court of back to backs. These houses were built literally back-to-back around a communal courtyard. Moving from the 1840s through to the 1970s, we discovered the lives of some of the former residents who crammed into these small houses to live and work. With fires alight in the grates, and sounds and smells from the past, experience an evocative and intimate insight into life at the Back to Backs I would certainly recommend the guided tour which brings the houses and characters to life. Make yourself at home, warm up by the fire and make sure you visit the adjoining sweet shop for even more nostalgia.

Really facinating!! The tour takes you around these tiny houses and the guide gives you all sorts…read moreof info. You can touch the stuff too, so its not so museum like. The yard has the old toilets and wash house and then there is a little discovery centre type thing inside. There is also an old sweet shop which is open to anyone. There are some steep steps and low ceilings. Very interesting and well worth a visit. There is something available for those who cant do the steps.

Shugborough is a charming estate with a lively house. We came here often in my childhood, and it…read morehas been well kept the grounds house events such as classic car shows and charming sculpture walks. The courtyard host coffee shops and ice cream, and I live the bridges. The passing bridge is still a favourite for pooh sticks even though I'm a fully grown woman. Nice place, great for a picnic too. PS, its a cracking place to collect conkers!

Shugborough Hall is a National Trust Property located in Stafford. The location and the Christmas…read moremarket event they were holding on the weekend made it the perfect place for the annual Jewellery Quarter residents trip (yes, I am of an age that I go on Coach trips). I have vague memories of maybe visiting this place in the depths of time gone by, although with most National Trust properties - they are much of a muchness. Once you've seen one stately home you kinda get the gist. As you would expect, it's pretty impressive. The driveway must be nearly a mile long to get to the property (and is a little dicey, so be prepared to close your eyes if you're an insecure passenger) and the place is surrounded by rolling green fields. I would imagine in the summer you might see deer (or at least cattle) strolling around as you approach the house. The house itself is pretty magnificent. Some of it's buildings are constructed in what I imagine to be sandstone and the main building is bright white and looks very well kept. There is plenty of parking to be had on site and as well as the house there are gorgeous gardens, a tea room a gift shop and all of the facilities you would expect from a National Trust property. The Christmas event is wonderful. As well as numerous market stalls under cover at the front of the building with lots of craft and local produce, there was live music and food being served all through the day. Once we had gotten in to the market, we grabbed a hot food and a warm drink and began to plan our day. The market had a great selection of gifts to be had! Everything from handmade toys, jewellery, clothing and food was on offer for very reasonable prices. We picked up some great presents (and a little something for me, of course) and had a really nice time chatting to the stall holders who explained how everything was made and where ingredients etc were sourced from. The inside of Shugborough had been specially with a "Christmas by candlelight" theme. Only the downstairs was open (apparently the upstairs is open normally) and all of the rooms were decorated with gorgeous bouquets of flowers, candles and decked out with Christmas trinkets. The staff were also wearing the clothing of the era and were on hand to answer any questions about the house, the history or anything in the rooms. Entrance for an adult to get into both the hall and the market was £8 in advance. I felt this was a fair price to have a look around the house, the gardens and the markets. Obviously a lot of effort goes into making everything look just right for the occasion and it felt very festive. I would recommend a visit to Shugborough during the Christmas event or at any point in the year if you're a fan of stately homes. The gardens must look magnificent in the Summer when everything is in bloom, but even in winter we had a lovely wander around admiring them. I would recommend the hall as a nice afternoon out for the family.

Sudbury Hall is National Trust property in the heart of Derbyshire. The car park is a fairly large…read moremarshalled area, on the opposite side of the road to the house, so there is a small walk to the house (disabled parking is to the rear of the house). The car park does fill up quickly though, so to avoid being shepherded onto the overspill field, get there for mid morning. The walk to the Hall snakes through the grounds, which are punctuated with mature trees like sweet chestnut and ash. The hall itself is a very impressive building with an imposing façade, which has been kept in magnificent condition. The path then splits, one side takes you to a church, whilst the other takes you into a courtyard of sorts, which houses the cafe, shops and the Museum of Childhood. There is also a temporary marquee, in which for small fee, you can learn a craft. Beyond this area is sizeable area of gardens and the front of the hall, which made for some great photographs. The grounds are well kept, but be aware that they are adjacent to large lake, frequented by Canada Geese and Swans, so tread carefully to avoid their numerous droppings! The cafe at Sudbury Hall is fairly large with both outdoor and indoor seating, with indoors having two levels. A good range of both hot and cold dishes, as with most National Trust properties, strawberry desserts, soups, casseroles, flapjacks etc. I plumped for what was obviously a homemade cheese scone, looked great, tasted awful, because it was way too salty. I can eat most things, but this was quickly put to one side, just proves looks can be deceptive! I was a bit sceptical about the Museum of Childhood being less than impressive, but I'm glad to report that these fears where unfounded. It was a fascinating insight into the history of toys and childhood, which worked with everybody because being young or old, there were toys here that sparked the memories. In the main room there was also three bedrooms from around the 1940s, 1970s and 1990s, stuck to the ceiling, a great use of space! One thing that struck me as we finished our visit was how well old toys were made in the past, rather than the built in obsolescence of today's counterparts.

National Trust property situated in Sudbury, near Ashbourne, Derbyshire. This beautiful 17th…read morecentury house is well worth a visit. The house itself is beautiful, as is the Museum of Childhood. My favourite though is the gardens which back on to a river. There's a small gift shop and tea room or take a picnic. It's free to park but about £6 for adults to visit the house and garden, or just over a pound for just the garden. National Trust members get in free.