Famed for its tribute to Birmingham-born comedian Tony Hancock and murals that tell the story of the city’s history, Old Square offers space for a relaxing break. With benches, greenery, and interesting sculptures, it’s not only one of the city’s oldest squares, but also a gateway to the Steelhouse Conservation Area.
One of central Birmingham’s most notable historic buildings, the Baskerville Building, was constructed nearly 100 years ago. Named for John Baskerville—the 18th-century printer and type designer whose house stood on site—the art deco Baskerville House is now a Grade II-listed architectural icon. With pride of place right on the central Centenary Square, it’s also steps from other top attractions.
Active Reality is a futuristic virtual reality gaming world in Bath that works well as a rainy-day activity. Here, visitors can use advanced technology to participate in multi-player games in the virtual world. As a player, you can run, walk, and jump while immersed in a world where you battle zombies and robots—a fun option for groups visiting Bath.
Perched on the edge of the historic City of London, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese has served as a pub and chophouse since 1538. The current iteration of this famous Fleet Street watering hole dates back to the 17th century, and its history is palpable in the cozy, low-ceilinged bars decorated with wooden panels and barrels.
With a history dating back to 1779, the Birmingham & Midland Institute has been dedicated to education and learning for centuries. Today, housed in a Grade II-listed building in Birmingham’s city center, the venue houses the BMI Library (home to more than 120,000 volumes) and hosts various exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and other cultural programming.
This volunteer-run music museum focuses largely, but not exclusively, on 2-Tone music, a subgenre of ska that’s associated with Coventry. It's a great place to learn about Coventry's music scene, and about the history of the ska, reggae, and rocksteady genres.
The 227-acre (92-hectare) Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve is a natural wetland with a number of bird and animal-watching hides, as well as hiking trails. You can spot kingfishers, foxes, otters, and muntjac deer here, among other wildlife. The reserve’s visitor center also offers fun activities for kids, such as education and sensory gardens and drawing sheets.
