Bloodstock Open-Air Metal Festival is a must for metal heads. The number-one UK heavy rock event presents a host of international metal bands outdoors at Catton Hall in Walton-on-Trent.
Available :
Aug 2013 (annual)
Sutton Park is Birmingham's largest park, covering 2400 acres consisting of woodland, heathland and wetland. Just 10km (6 miles) from the city centre, it's a perfect place to get away from the urban sprawl and tune into nature.
Available :
Daily
The Art Factory, held every Sunday afternoon in the Garman Ryan Collection of Walsall's New Art Gallery, offers a range of creative activities and materials for visitors to use to explore the artworks on display. On the first Sunday of the month an artist leads the session from 1.30pm-3.30pm.
Available :
Sun only
New Art Gallery, designed by controversial young architects Peter St John and Adam Caruso, houses the impressive Garman Ryan Collection and was intended to regenerate the inner-city landscape of Walsall, nine miles north of Birmingham.
Available :
Daily; not Mon
The Abbots Bromley Horn Dance is a ritual dance that begins at St Nicholas Church and visits surrounding villages. Six men carrying reindeer horns are accompanied by a hobby horse, a fool, a Robin Hood figure and a Maid Marion.
Available :
Sep 2013 (annual)
Shugborough estate in Staffordshire provides a complete guide to living in the 19th century, with a working laundry, kitchens, brewhouse, dairy, mill and farm. Its atmospheric interiors reflect 300 years of the changing fortunes of the Anson family.
Available :
Mar - Oct 2013 (annual)
Candlelit Evenings at Shugborough's historic estate could be straight from an outdoor Christmas-card scene. The Victorian hustle and bustle of the working servants' quarters combines with the grand festive atmosphere of the mansion house, decorated with more than 1000 candles.
Available :
Dec 2013 (annual)
Organised by Stafford Round Table, the Bonfire Spectacular at Shugborough Estate is one of the region's biggest bonfire and fireworks displays. As well as the thrills of the display itself there's a family funfair to keep kids entertained as they wait.
Available :
Nov 2013 (annual)
Birmingham's Handsworth Park celebrates the birth of the Sikh religion in true noisy style with Vaisakhi. Processions lead thousands into the park, where a funfair, food stalls and plenty of other events for the family await.
Available :
Apr 2013 (annual)
Aston Villa FC play their home matches at Villa Park. The Premier League runs between August and May and full fixture lists can be found on the club websites. Please note: games may be rearranged due to cup or television commitments.
Available :
18 Aug 2012 - 19 May 2013 (annual)
Bilston Craft Gallery is the largest dedicated contemporary craft venue in the Midlands. As well as hosting exciting shows which feature the best in ceramics, glass, jewellery, textiles and woodwork, it is also home to Craftplay, a specially-designed creative play gallery for pre-school children.
Available :
Daily; not Mon or Sun
West Bromwich Albion FC play their home matches at The Hawthorns. The Premier League runs between August and May and full fixture lists can be found on the club websites. Please note: games may be rearranged due to cup or television commitments.
Available :
18 Aug 2012 - 19 May 2013 (annual)
Wolvestock, in East Park, is Wolverhampton's annual country music hoedown with live performances from international and UK artists on two stages. Line-dancing sessions are on hand should you feel inspired to move your feet, a funfair provides further on-site entertainment.
Available :
Jul 2013 (annual)
Amerton Farm features an array of attractions for all the family, including a Play Barn, a Tea Room, the Amerton Railway, a complimentary therapy centre and a whole range of craft shops.
Available :
Daily
Hockley's Museum of the Jewellery Quarter retraces Birmingham's 250-year-old jewellery and metalworking legacy with live demonstrations, workshop recreations and pre-booked factory tours. Buy antique to contemporary trinkets from the museum's shop or wander the unique district's 200 listed buildings.
Available :
Daily; not Mon or Sun
Every year, Wolverhampton's West Park celebrates Guy Fawkes night with a bonfire, fireworks and a funfair. Arrive early for the special children's display, which is followed by the grown-up pyrotechnics.
Available :
Nov 2013 (annual)
Staffordshire's bounty is displayed in full bloom during the annual Staffordshire County Show at Stafford County Show Ground. Held over two days, machinery displays, children's attractions and livestock parades all form part of the programme.
Available :
Jun 2013 (annual)
Ten inspirational galleries explore science, history and the world in Thinktank at Millennium Point. They include Power Up's incredible steam engines, and City Stories exploring Birmingham past and future. Enjoy the state-of-the-art Planetarium and surround-sound Giant Screen cinema.
Available :
Daily
From Picasso to Warhol, the Jewellery Quarter's St Pauls Gallery has an impressive collection of modern art. It is renowned for signed album-cover artwork from iconic musicians like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, David Bowie and Jimi Hendrix.
Available :
Daily
Inhabiting a three-storey Georgian building on St Paul's Square, The Jam House is a relaxed jazz joint with top-floor restaurant in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter. Lucky punters might catch the venue's musical director Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra.
Available :
Daily; not Mon or Sun
Occuping a city-centre redbrick-terracotta Victorian building by St Philip's Cathedral, Purnell's was set up by local Michelin-starred chef Glynn Purnell in 2007. Order Gressingham duck or naturally-smoked haddock in the bright dining room, featuring contemporary Birmingham works by local photographer Laurence Roper. Early diners can enjoy a pre-dinner aperitif in the bar and lounge area.
Available :
Daily; not Sun
Held at Stafford's imposing Sandon Hall, Plant Fair offers green-fingered visitors the opportunity to peruse and purchase rare and unusual plants and flowers. They may not look quite as impressive when supplanted from the impressive grounds to your humble abode, however...
Available :
May 2013 (annual)
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC play their home matches at Molineux Stadium. The Premier League runs between August and May and full fixture lists can be found on the club websites. Please note: games may be rearranged due to cup or television commitments.
Available :
Aug 2011 - May 2012 (annual)
Handmade French chocolates and fine dessert wines selected by owner Pierre Soualah fill the charming Chouchoute Chocolaterie in an atmospheric city-centre Victorian arcade. Chocolate lovers can choose from pralines, truffles and liqueur chocolates and create gorgeous gift boxes.
Available :
Daily; not Sun
This is Wolverhampton's most important gallery with an impressive permanent collection of Pop and contemporary art. The 18th and 19th century art galleries also contain works by Gainsborough, Turner and Landseer.
Available :
Daily; not Sun
In a listed city-centre building is laid-back Chi Bar, a four-level parlour with lounge, Manhattan loft-style cocktail bar and private room with a 60-person bed and jacuzzi. Music ranges from funky house to R&B, hip hop and jazz funk.
Available :
Daily
At the elegant city-centre Opus Restaurant, the menu changes twice daily to reflect the freshest ingredients, free-range meat and freshly-caught wild fish and crustaceans. Try Cornish lamb and Lyme Bay scallops or take home their homemade breads, pastries and desserts. The Opus Dinner Series allows diners to meet the farmers and fishermen behind the menu.
Available :
Daily; not Sun
Once the Birmingham Joint Stock Bank, the Old Joint Stock pub is opposite the cathedral in central Birmingham. A Victorian-era glass-domed ceiling rises over an island bar serving local guest ales and their renowned pies. Head upstairs for pub theatre.
Available :
Daily
Owned by Indian actress Asha Bhosle, the city-centre Asha's Restaurant, her first Indian culinary venture in the UK, serves contemporary Indian cuisine and signature cocktails in a modern, lavish environment. Try the ginger-garlic prawns, delicious kebabs and spicy roasted aubergine or relax to chilled lounge music in the bar.
Available :
Daily
Slouchy seats, exposed brickwork and purple timber floors re-create a 1960s New York vibe in the candle-lit, city-centre Mechu Bar and Grill, with private VIP lounge. Share a platter or grazing plate or try their signature burger and Mechu chips with aioli. There's also an extensive dessert and cocktail menu. Advance booking is highly recommended.
Available :
Daily; not Sun
Birmingham's Academy hosts a stomping indie and funky Friday, featuring DJ/promoters Steve Gerrard & Carlton.
Available :
Fri only
Saturday nights at the Birmingham Academy see two rooms devoted to rock and indie. Resident DJs play metal, rock, punk, goth, industrial, ska, hip-hop, nu-metal, grunge and alternative indie tunes.
Available :
Sat only
Named after the street where it dwells, SummerRow is an up-and-coming social development based on a New York theme. Its two bar-cum-lounges, Mechu and Après, attract a young sophisticated crowd for post-work dinner, drinks and dancing.
Available :
Daily
Stocking original designerwear, Disorder Boutique produces independent, handcrafted and limited items, designed and manufactured in Birmingham using mainly British fabrics. The city-centre store also sells innovative designs from LA, New York and Europe, in keeping with its ethical, anti-brand policy.
Available :
Daily
An opulent city-centre hideaway, Red Bar & Lounge is renowned for its bespoke cocktails, laid-back lounging, top DJs and late-night dancing. A tempting menu includes gourmet canapes and bar tapas. Check the website for after party nights and special events.
Available :
Daily
Middle Eastern treasures and one of the world's largest pre-Raphaelite collections are among highlights of the centrally located Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. The Waterhall Gallery of Modern Art, 19th-century Round Room and impressive Edwardian Tea Room are worth a visit.
Available :
Daily
The Grade I-listed Town Hall, a restored neo-classical music venue which re-opened in 2007 following a £35m renovation, dominates Victoria Square, Birmingham's main piazza. Stop to admire the quirky Floozie in the Jacuzzi sculpture and Iron: Man by Antony Gormley.
Available :
Daily
Birmingham now hosts its own impressive version of the traditional Hindu Rath Yatra Festival. Chariots devoted to Lord Krishna's most merciful incarnation make their way to Victoria Square for a huge vegetarian feast and entertainment.
Available :
Aug 2013 (annual)
Birmingham's festive Frankfurt Christmas Market returns to Victoria Square and the upper part of New Street. Around 200 stalls sell jewellery, handmade toys, ceramics, candles, glasswork and traditional Christmas decorations, to help you find the best Christmas presents.
Available :
Nov - Dec 2013 (annual)
Simple French fare from coq au vin to moules marinières is served with gusto in this city-centre restaurant, where long bench tables and balcony areas offer group and romantic dining. Chez Jules' two-course lunch and dinner menus offer particularly good value. Ensure there's space for homemade desserts like crème brulee and mousse au chocolat.
Available :
Daily; not Sun
08457 76 76 76
