Courtesy of Small House Big Trips, discover four delightful hidden treasures that you can visit around the West Midlands.
Aldridge Transport Museum, Shenstone Drive, Northgate, Aldridge, Walsall, WS9 8TP
Website: http://www.amrtm.org/
Adults £4, Children £2, Family Ticket (2 adults and 3 children) £11
Opening Times: 10:30am – 4pm | Tuesday, Saturday, Sunday | All Year. Also Bank Holiday Mondays
A local hidden treasure where you can spend as little or as long as you like exploring the legacy of road transport in the West Midlands. See an old-fashioned Austin A40 Ice cream truck in the most beautiful pale green colour, a bright red 1960s AEC Routemaster R2RH Bus and the original 1906 Tram from Birmingham Corporation Tramways. There are many modes of transport to see, from bicycles to milk trucks, to buses and coaches. A great place to have a meander and support this local Charity run by volunteers. Rumour has it that they may be running one of their events in July where you can ride the buses around the local area as part of your entry fee.
Forge Mill Farm, Forge Ln, West Bromwich B71 3SZ
Website: https://www.discoversandwell.co.uk/forge-mill-farm/
Adults £2, Children 2-17 £1.50, Under 2’s FREE, Family Ticket (1 adult and 3 children) £4, Family Ticket (2 adults and 3 children) £6. Bags of food to feed the animals are 80p.
Opening Times: 10am to 4pm daily, pre book tickets online prior to attending.
A cute working farm with lambs, goats, alpacas, rabbits, horses, pigs and chickens. Get up close to the animals and watch them eat the food from your hands. With a play area for children, picnic area and a shop with treats such as toys or ice creams. You can really have a nice 90 minutes or so here.
Fosseway Heath Nature Reserve and Wetlands, Falkland Rd, Lichfield WS14 0GE
Website: https://lhcrt.org.uk/articles/restoration_fosseway_lane.html
- FREE Walk
- Open 24/7
Enjoy a lovely walk exploring the Heritage Towpath Trail which is part of a derelict canal being carefully restored by a wonderful team of volunteers who are working hard to improve the local environment benefitting both the local community, wildlife and tourism. An array of brand new wooden benches to give you a chance to sit down and rest your legs, read a book taking in the beautiful view of the fields or jump along the bridges (always a firm favourite with my girls). Swans made of chicken wire, a derelict closed off railway line and an array of wildlife. A great 20 minute walk to stretch your legs a little.
Winterbourne House and Gardens, 58 Edgbaston Park Rd, Birmingham B15 2RT
Website: https://www.winterbourne.org.uk/
Adult £7.20, Child/Student/Over 65 £6.20, Under 5’s FREE, Family Ticket (2+4) £22
Opening Times: Winterbourne house, garden, tea room and shop are open daily 10.30am to 5pm (last admission/orders 4.30pm). Entry to the house is via timed ticket, which are available on arrival.
Experience an Edwardian historic house and garden nestled in a leafy corner of Birmingham. The Grade II botanical garden offers colour and interest throughout the year. The restored walled garden complete with crinkle-crankle wall, is a riot of rainbow shades from May until October. The lawns are fringed with striking colour themed borders, and beyond lies an original sandstone rock garden and a woodland walk through Gunnera leaves and Rhododendron displays. The botanical garden contains plants from around the globe with collections of plants from China, North and South America and the Alpine areas of the world. The gardens offer something for all ages, including activity trails for families and a children’s garden with willow tunnel and picnic tables. Don’t forget to find the most picturesque bridge you will ever see.