This is a spectacular ruin with lovely gardens. Once owned by the Earls of Dudley and more than one…read moreoccasion hosted royal visits. The original Jacobean house still exists but well hidden within the additions of latter centuries. The fountains in the gardens are huge. If particular interest is the adjoining baroque church with a crypt where the lead coffins can be viewed.

I didn't expect discovering Rock of Gibraltar is owned by the British Peeps! Who knew? I surely…read moredidn't know this fact . . . I was also surprised learning that Spain wants the Rock returned to them, too. Visiting here was astonishing because Spain is right outside, but peeps living on the Rock-everyone uses British currency. Everyone in McDonald's spoke with a British accent! http://gibraltar.costasur.com/ http://www.gibnet.com/tourist/basics.htm http://www.gibnet.com/tourist/general.htm http://www.andalucia.com/gibraltar/home.htm

The rock of Gibraltar is indeed something very, very special. Just the thought of all sailors that…read morefor thousands of years that have shared this grand view is breathtaking. Lord Nelson, Marco Polo, Vasco da Gama are just a few that have passed this mighty rock. The view from the top of the Rock is just as breathtaking as its history. If possible - wait for clear skies before going to the top. It is worth it. Clear days it is possible to see far along the Spanish coast and across the sea to Africa. And - beware of the apes. No kidding. Already when docking at the top they may enter the cabin in search for food. According to the guards they are calmer and nicer in the morning than in the hot afternoon.

The castle is lovely and grounds are absolutely stunning. Although the structure and landscaping…read moreare lovely, our tour guide felt the need to weave her strong political views into most topics. Examples would be regarding a pitcher/jug that is displayed in one of the glass cases. She said the pitcher "should not be here" and if she had her way "it would be returned" because it was "stolen from a masque." She also said when referring to Dr. Edward Jenner being the first to develop a successful vaccination for small pox that "it really is a question if he were the first." She said he barely beat Africa and Turkey in this world altering vaccine. To which doctors to whom was she referring to in Africa or Turkey? She made a comment of, " My grandfather always said, 'Whatever horrible acts done have been done have been done by the English first.' and I firmly believe this." She was also railing against the decisions of the monarchs before the addition of the parliament. Then she went on to say she wished she could get rid of the current government. A guide should concentrate on the facts and remove biases. It is quite distracting and unnecessary.

What can you say about one of the oldest inhabited castles in the world which is still owned by the…read moresame family from 900 years ago. You have to go. Its where Edward II was murdered with a red hot poker up his fundament .

Founded in the 13th century by King John, the ruins of Halesowen Abbey are a pleasing reminder of…read morethe area's medieval history. The ruins are now under the stewardship of English Heritage and can be visited on foot free of charge (there is no on-site parking, so it best to ark on a nearby housing estate or on the Black Horse pub car park). They sit in the middle of a large field just off the Halesowen bypass/Manor Way. Not much of the abbey remains, though there is a relatively intact gothic archway to admire. Many of the buildings have been incorporated in the nearby farm. It isn't exactly a "must visit" site, but the abbey is probably worth a gander if you are curious and passing by. As Dr Johnson once declared: "It is worth seeing but not worth going to see."

A hidden treasure. I have been there on a few occasions, but went on May Bank holiday. It was a…read more lovely and enjoyable day for the family. There were people dressed and you could take photos, music played on instruments from the past. You could go on a tour of the house. Well delivered by the guides. Just go and take a look. Well worth a visit

Choose a day and visit Harvington Hall, it's not very big but it's worth to take a look. A very…read morenarrow lane, twisting past beautiful cottages brings you to this Elizabethan building. There are free parking spaces on site. You can take a historic tour through the mansion which is impressive. A walk around the building along the moat overhung by trees is beautiful on a sunny day. The scones & tea in the antiquarian tearoom definitely have to be enjoyed afterwards!

I have a soft spot for Anthony Gormley's work, so much so I was even one of the lucky ones that…read morestood on the 4th Plinth in London. The statue represents the traditional skills of Birmingham and the Black Country practised during the Industrial Revolution. The controversy of public opinion when it was installed makes me further believe that it really does represent the Brummie and Yam-Yams naysaying nature. I can't really recall why it was so hated back in 1993 when it was given as gift from the Trustee Savings Bank, but when they moved down south there was an outcry that the Iron: Man should be moved with them. I love that it started out as an untitled work until the Iron Man nickname stuck, only for the artist to insist on making his own stamp by insisting on a stupid colon in the middle. Brilliant! Maybe my soft spot for Gormely is because he utilises many local resources to make his large scale iron works with the Iron:Man being cast at Bradley and Fosters Castings (now Firth Rixson Castings) in Willenhall. Whether you love or hate it this 6m tall, leaning man whose feet are sunk in the ground is worth a look.

The most overlooked art in victoria square. I love this art by one of my favourite artist/sculptor.read more

This is one of the country's longest established preserved steam railways, operating along the…read morescenic Severn Valley 16 miles from Kidderminster to the market town of Bridgnorth. Opened in 1862 to link the line from Worcester to Droitwich Spa to Shrewsbury, the line never really fulfilled its early promise, and the section north of Bewdley was closed to passengers in 1963. The short spur from Kidderminster to Bewdley limped on until 1970, when it too was closed. In the meantime, preservationists had decided to reopen the line from the Bridgnorth end, and in 1970 trains began running again from Bridgnorth to Hampton Loade, extending to Bewdley in 1974 and Kidderminster in 1984. The terminus at Kidderminster (known as Kidderminster Town) is adjacent to the main line railway station and, despite its Victorian appearance, is in fact modern, opened in 1984. A number of the stations have yards and sheds for stabling locomotives and carriages; the line is operated mostly by steam trains using former Great Western Railway stock, but there is a good collection of LMS and LNER stock as well. The line also has a growing collection of preserved diesels from the 1950s and 1960s, and operates special diesel galas as well as the regular steam service. The line makes for a great day out, especially for families, and many of the intermediate stations are situated in lovely countryside and are good starting points for walks.

The Severn Valley Railway is a fully working, old fashioned steam railway that runs through the…read morestunning countryside between Bridgnorth & Kidderminster. The trains are divided into Standard seats or First Class comparments, the First Class comparments are ideal for a family trip & wonderful for those with children as it give them the freedom to move about & look out of the windows. The stations along the route are all beautifully maintained in period fashion: it's possible to stop off at the stations & visit the nearby towns as desired or to stay on the train to the end of the route.

'What's so landmark and historic about a small, anonymous residential road on the edge of Oldbury?'…read more I hear you ask. Well in the case Apollo Road, what's so special about it is that it's where Kevin Rowland lived in the late 1970s, around the time he formed Dexys Midnight Runners. When I moved to this part of the world, I knew that he had once lived round here and was chuffed to find that the leader of one of my favourite bands had lived just a few minutes stroll from own doorstep. However, anyone expecting blue plaques, guided tours or people dancing round in dungarees will be sorely disappointed. Despite it's significance in local music history, Apollo Road does still remain a small, anonymous residential road on the edge of Oldbury. Only really worth a look if you're a big Dexys fan and want to walk down the road trying to work out which house he lived in, whilst humming 'Geno'. That's what I did anyway, and it made me feel good.

Bibury is a charming, typically Cotswold. It's easy to see why William Morris called Bibury 'The…read moremost beautiful village in England' - wonderful stone buildings strung out along the banks of the River Coln. Arlington Row, owned by the National Trust, is one of England's most iconic and photographed sites - it even appears on the inside cover of UK passports! Originally built in the 14th century as a monastic wool store, it was converted in the 17th century into a row of weavers' cottages. The River Coln flows through Bibury sandwiched between the main village street and an expanse of boggy water meadow known as Rack Isle, so called because wool was once hung out to dry there on racks after it had been washed in Arlington Row. You can even see some trout in the river, which the trout farm owners told us they are the escape artists! With Arlington Row as a backdrop, it makes one of the most picturesque scenes you will find in the Cotswolds. Other attractions in Bibury include: Bibury Trout Farm, (see my other review) one of the oldest and most attractive trout farms in the country covering almost 15 acres, where you can learn about trout or event catch your own dinner. This village is stunning, perfect photographers dream. Do come you will not be disappointed.

If traveling past Oxford don't miss out on this picturesque little town, offering a prime example…read moreof the Cotswold way of living. Houses are maintained in much the old fashion, offering not just wonderful photo opportunities but also a glimpse into housing of the past . You will find several small tea houses and shops here, as well as a trout farm and hotel. Well worth a visit or even a relaxing weekend.