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."

Currently nestled under scaffolding, The Clock Tower is a former Adult Education College whose…read morerather grand exterior dominates the High Street. I used to do yoga here (before heading off to The White Horse afterwards for a pint - oops!) and it ran all sorts of classes - wine appreciation, life drawing, languages, keep fit etc until just over 2 years ago when it became obvious from the chunks of roof coming away that it needed some fairly major refurbishment. Thankfully the building itself has been saved and it's hoped that the space will be transformed into a rather exciting mixed development consisting of a up to three restaurants, a cookery school, a public square and 10 luxury apartments. The Clock Tower itself was constructed in 1881 as a school and designed by Martin & Chamberlain in gothic red brick and terracotta. According to local records the actual clock face was made just a few doors away. The building was closed as a school after 1961 - here's hoping its next incarnation will be a successful one.

William Perry was the Tipton Slasher which, thanks to the Two Ronnies, sounds like either a rogue…read moreBlack Country widdler or a yam yam serial killer. In actuality William Perry was a bare knuckle fighter with an impressive record. The statue is in a park next to his pub and base of operations (The Fountain) and just down the road from the Black Country Museum. Its a nice statue to visit and show the kids that the past is everywhere and not just within the nearby museum's walls. The statue has a greater significance for for me, and probably 000s of others, because I am a blood relative, a descendant of this Black Country Rocky Balboa. Its moving to see in statue form a literal representation of the working class fight & celebrity, from a time before that amounted to a stint on X Factor. How his story hasnt become an art house Brit flick starring Daniel Day Lewis, Bob Hoskins and Gary Olman I will never know. Go and have a look at Grandad Slasher next time you are passing, or I will punch yow in the face.

Whereas Birmingham has the Iron Man, the Floozy in the Jacuzzi and the Tony Hancock Statue; West…read moreBromwich has a sculpture entitled 'I am the King of the Jungle'. This sculpure of a lion sat on a crown on the back of an elephant has sat outside Queen's Square shopping centre since its unveiling in January 1990. It's un-noticed and un-loved and un-cared for. It's also not in a very prominent spot as though it's placing hasn't worked out or the council are ashamed of it. No offence to the lady who sculpted it, because it's not a bad sculpture. However, what relevance a lion has to West Bromwich is a little lost on me and isn't explained in the commemorative plaque on the base. West Browmich High Street is currently undergoing quite a radical facelift according the plans so whether this little curio survives remains to be seen. It really will be no great loss if it does disappear. Hopefully the sculptor has gone on to bigger, better and more meaningful things in the ensuing two decades.

A lot of historic buildings are owned and run by either local councils, or other large bodies like…read moreEnglish Heritage. This one is neither, and as such provides a quirky and welcome anomaly in the landscape of heritage venues. Very unassuming, nestled between housing in a residential area - you might pass it and remark on how pretty a building it is, but really the beauty is inside. The building has higgledypiggledy narrow corridors and stairs with obligatory beamed ceilings and creaking floorboards. If any house was likely to open a doorway to Narnia, this would be it. Because it isn't supported by any larger organisation, accessing this beauty requires some planning in advance. I was lucky enough to attend a meeting by the Historical Society here (where they also served tea and biscuits and speakers retold their memories of the past - fascinating!) and was able to explore the building at the same time. Definitely worth a trip!

Handsworth Historical Society are an amazing bunch of people that helped to save the Old Town Hall…read more One half of this building is rented out to an artist whilst the other side is home to the Historical Society, a tea room and an upstairs full of old documents and postcards that pertain to the history of Handsworth. The Old Town Hall is a fin example of a 15th Centure Cuck built house and whilst I can't remember what that means, if you visit they will tell you. This building is a little gem that's lucky to be preserved and the knowledge about the local area is astounding, as soon as you get them talking you are lost in the history of the area. They even have a few books and bits and bobs to sell as well. As a member of the society they host regular outings and talks with guest speakers. As a visitor to the Old Town Hall you should attend one of their coffee mornings or free events they run over the summer. It's a quaint, fun trip out that is pleasantly surprising and it;'s great to support such a group to continue fighting for and preserving local history.

So much history all around you, whether you walk the towpath or use the waterway…read more I'm continually fascinated by the custom offshoots and bricked-up doorways halfway up walls, what were the purposes? Can we picture how it would have been? I was moved by the stories of the canal horses, on a guided walk in early spring. Our guides pointed out the deep gouges in the iron bridges and the brickwork on corners, created as the horses dragged the narrow boats toward their destination. Safer to go in company and during daylight, you have seen Peaky Blinders, yes?

I am, indeed, a fan of waterways. I think its from growing up on a peninsula. So, despite from…read morebeing about as far away from the sea as you can get, in Birmingham, I was lured here by the oft-repeated claim of Brummies: "There's more surface area of canal in Birmingham than there is in Venice." Which, I think, is true. Obviously, that doesn't actually mean that all the buildings and bridges that line the canal are anything like the Rialto, but it does break up the land-locked nature of England's second city quite beautifully. The canal actually starts up in Tamworth in Staffordshire, but the area that most Brummies will be familiar with is the area around Gas Street basin - where it joins the Birmingham-Worcester Canal. It's a surprisingly rural trip along this particular stretch of canal - that is, until you hit Spaghetti Junction. But then, to me, that's part of the interest in this particular trip, you get to experience a variety of landscapes.

Old buildings are awesome and town halls have an amazing sense of pomp and grandeur to them whilst…read morestill seeming sparse and under utilised. I have attended many community events here and whilst i'm a huge fan of this Grade II listed building I fear that it's swanky refurbishment and the addition of a bar to make this more of a venue may see the hire prices rise dramatically for those who want to use it for community events. The Town Hall, situated in the centre of High Street, was built between 1874 and 1875 in brick and stone to an Italian Gothic design of the architects Alexander & Henman of Stockton-on-Tees, Middlesbrough and the building contractors were Trow & Sons of Wednesbury. I love how it was kept a little bit local in all that international flavour and national architect firms. This is just one of many great gothic inspired buildings in West Brom and it has all the standard trappings of a town hall from that time in that it's fit for purpose and has a good organ and viewing gallery. Whilst I love it when music artists like Laura Marling perform in such spaces I do wonder on its effect on the little people who have used the space for it's tea dances and events for such a long time. Fingers crossed the council get this one right,

Probably a little strange reviewing a clock but as I was doing the trail and a day of exploring,…read morethere's no point missing out this part of Birmingham history. The clock was erected in 1903 in honour of the great Joseph chamberlain (did so much for the city) Even tho the surroundings of the clock have changed over the years it still stands proud after being restored a few years ago. You can really only admire it from across the road especially as it was the middle of the day when I walked past it but you can still see it's a fine monument for the great man.