Ever since I was a wee gal I've been coming to Lickey Hills park - from school geography trips to…read morehuge picnics , it has something for everyone. As soon as you come in, theres a huge park for kids which is actually great fun for the big kids too ;) take my advice for it! And as you go deeper into the park, you realise what an incredible sigh of relief this park is as it gives you a break from the busy, industrial city ; instead offering you serenity and beauty. You wouldn't even think it's in Birmingham! Rolling hills, towering trees and a blanket of green surrounding you; each area is beautiful. Even if you do get drenched by the rain like I did, it's definitely worth it! A must for those seeking an escape!

If you're looking for the best views of Birmingham, Lickey Hills Country Park is the place you…read moreshould go! This very popular landscape, placed between Rednal and Barnt Green areas, is a 524 acres park with a visitor centre, golf, tennis and bowls and also a wonderful view provided from the top of the Beacon Hill, the highest point of Lickey Hills. It's a huge public space that is perfect for walkers not afraid of a bit of adventure and also families that can have a good use of its recreation park. There is a cafe nearby the recreation area and you may need some food and drinks after walking through the park. I have been to Lickey Hills with a group of very enthusiastic friends and I can tell that in the end of the journey to Beacon Hill we were all tired but happy because the perspective we have of some parts of Birmingham from that point is quite impressive. If you thinking about making some walking, make sure you have plenty of water and comfortable trainers to face this hilly walk. We had a lovely picnic up there and it was really a good idea to have some food to compensate all energy spent during the journey. We worth it! There is a free car parking at Lickey Hills. The bus number 62 service from the city centre and the Barn Green train station are the other options to get there.

Farnborough Hall is a great National Trust run House and Gardens near Banbury in Oxfordshire. We…read morevisited the Hall last summer for a picnic. The house first of all is stunning, it is recommended to go on a sunny day, we did and the house looked amazing, the outside has a beautiful honey-coloured stone frontage, and looks wonderful in the summer light. The landscape gardens are quite spectacular, created in 1740, the parkland is scattered with temples and sculptures. The house has some amazing plasterwork, from the 18th century we were told. Our picnic was great, there are designated picnic areas for families which was suitable, clean and well maintained. From there we have lovely views too. We did a set walk in the afternoon, the so-called 'temple walk' which was great and took in the main areas of the park. The surrounding area of Avon Dassett is wonderful and famously beautiful with big hills and pretty villages. A day muchly enjoyed by all, but do go during the summer months!

Situated about 10 minutes drive from the M42 motorway, this beautiful National Trust property is a…read moredelight, both outside and in. When we arrived, prior to the house opening, we went for a hot drink, and were impressed with the set-up. Currently, their restaurant facilities are being refurbished, so they have an outdoor setup, with a heated marquee. The ladies serving were all really cheerful, despite being outside, and they still offered a full range of drinks, and hot and cold snacks, including hot soup. The marquee was impressively warm. The house itself doesn't take very long to go around, depending on how long you like to take looking at things, and there's plenty to see, and dressing up facilities for the kids, who can also go into the Priests hole (accompanied by an adult...looks like a bit of a tight squeeze, so not for the claustrophobic, I'm sure). The house has been beautifully restored and decorated and there's always a guide on hand to offer you information about the various rooms, They also had a second hand book stall set up in the courtyard where I happily parted with £6.50 for 4 great new books! Outdoors, there's a pleasant 1 3/4 mile walk that you can take from the car park, so plenty of variety to keep you occupied for a few hours!

This place is one of the reasons why we asked for National Trust membership as a Christmas present…read more Over the last 5 years I have seen a noticeable change towards including families with young children and making them feel welcome at the National Trust in general. When I first visited this property 5years ago my very little daughter was 'told off' for walking on the grass. I was outraged to say the least. However, now it couldn't be more different. There are games on the lawn like noughts and crosses, the ubiquitous Jenga, croquet and quoits. Plus, I think I spotted dominoes hiding in one of the wheel barrows holding down the gazebo. Speaking of which, as it was Father's day, they had outdoor activities so my daughter and husband got to make fire and go fishing with a home made rod. They managed to snare a duck (with bread), which was enough for my daughter. There are loads of places to explore, from woodland walks, and exciting bridges to a vegetable garden and parkland. I'm reliably informed by one of the very friendly and helpful garden guides that over the next few weeks there will be an army of scarecrows appearing all dressed in Olympic themes. My daughter can't wait to go back and neither can we. The whole space is clean too (apart from a few rabbit droppings) and my son had a ball covering himself in mud and I was never concerned for his safety. The cafe is well stocked, if a little busy and there's a lovely little second hand bookshop that we enjoyed browsing through. It's an eclectic stock as you might imagine, but has a children's section. We didn't bother with the house this time round, but have enjoyed going round it. Here too, they welcome children and I didn't feel paranoid about what little fingers might touch. If you thought that the National Trust was stuffy, think again and give Baddesley a try.

Continuing my evening stroll took me Montpellier Gardens. There's plenty of grass for a picnic and…read moreplaying a sport with friends. There's also a little cafe with some a children's play area. What impressed me the most was a bouldering place, where you can climb over and around. Really soft matting and a structure to test the best of climbers to improve their smaller manoeuvres.

A Great Weekend visit for the family, or just a brief visit. A National Trust maintained property,…read moreso benefits from all the expectancies of one of they're houses. An old priory, this house and grounds has many excellent qualities; a fabulous large old kitchen and dairy area was particularly impressive and offered an interesting insight into life below the stairs and the buildings history. The formal gardens which surround the property were compact and limited but well maintained and beatiful all the same. The old orchard is well worth a look, and is wonderfully colourful in season. The only major disapointment we found was the Church nearby, St Mary's church, originally, according to the guide, a part of the Augustinian priory. This was gloomy and dark, and had a particulary strange, cramped, eery atmosphere. In fairness perhaps, this was due to the dismal weather on the day we visited! The other minor downside is that the manor is located near to a main road, which can be busy and therefore noisy. Nevertheless, Canons Ashby was an lovely weekend visit and there is much to enjoy and relax in front of. Most impressive of all was the manor's collection of wall paintings and Jacobian plasterwork, a beautiful collection displayed with due decorum and respect. A Good afternoons visit on a sunny day.

Lovely park with beautiful flowers in a quaint little town. We had a fun girls day walking around…read moreexploring. Very clean, safe and beautiful. Restaurants nearby. Dog friendly.

This is a lovely little garden to wander around. The flowers are well kept and it reminds you of…read morewalking around a stately home gardens. Obvious really well looked after by some dedicated gardeners. The plants themselves are really varied and demonstrate loads of natural colours. Have a look at the pictures I took to see more!

Play area has been widely improved in recent years as has the parking area giving the park a much…read moremore family feel to it. Ideal green space for walking dogs or teaching kids to ride their bikes in summer. Towards the back of the park there is a small skate ramp area and the network of foot paths leads you around the park.

A great place to walk the dog, and a nice piece of the countryside in a town area. Worth a visit.read more

Music in Pitville Pump Room: This is one of the most…read morebeautiful buildings in the area and has perfect acoustics. One concert pianist comes down regularly from London, despite small audiences, because it is such a perfect place to play in. It is ideal for soloiists and small groups of musicians, but large orchestras tend to be overwhelming. Even a harpsichord can be perfectly heard at the back of the hall, which holds about 400. Its peak time is in the summer music festival where there are usually two concerts a day. In the rest of the year there may be one every week or two. As well as concerts arranged by Cheltenham Council, there is an active music society which invites name brand musicians to perform about once a month, and gets an audience of some 200. The Pump rooms are set in spacious beautiful gardens with mature trees and a pond, which go down nearly to the town centre, and makes roaming outside a real pleasure in the summer. Quality Interval coffee is served, plus an adequate bar with inadequate service. Free parking behind the hall. You can also get married there! What a wonderful setting.