I have a soft spot for Anthony Gormley's work, so much so I was even one of the lucky ones that…read morestood on the 4th Plinth in London. The statue represents the traditional skills of Birmingham and the Black Country practised during the Industrial Revolution. The controversy of public opinion when it was installed makes me further believe that it really does represent the Brummie and Yam-Yams naysaying nature. I can't really recall why it was so hated back in 1993 when it was given as gift from the Trustee Savings Bank, but when they moved down south there was an outcry that the Iron: Man should be moved with them. I love that it started out as an untitled work until the Iron Man nickname stuck, only for the artist to insist on making his own stamp by insisting on a stupid colon in the middle. Brilliant! Maybe my soft spot for Gormely is because he utilises many local resources to make his large scale iron works with the Iron:Man being cast at Bradley and Fosters Castings (now Firth Rixson Castings) in Willenhall. Whether you love or hate it this 6m tall, leaning man whose feet are sunk in the ground is worth a look.

The most overlooked art in victoria square. I love this art by one of my favourite artist/sculptor.read more

Very historic, beautiful site, what can i say nicest castle in England definetly reccomend and…read morevisit other places around there too

Lovely little hive of history, especially when my childhood castle was ruins, it's always nice to…read morespend some time in one that would still have some chance of holding fort. Did have a good giggle about the people ranting about it being the same tour- funny that, when it's history!

The Sutton War Memorial is another part of the town's local history that a lot of people possibly…read moredon't know exists. It's stood outside Sutton Town Hall since the early 1920s and is the focal point of Rememberance Sunday services. It's basically a large stone column engraved with the names of local men who died in the First World War, much the same as those in other parts of the region. A pacifistic soul such as myself looks at it more as a piece of local history and testament to the horrors of war than anything to puff my chest out about or wave a flag at, but however you look at it, it's still a vital part of who we are and where we come from. I know this bloke who takes an interest in his local history. He did a whole load of research on this particular war memorial and found it to be full of mistakes with names repeated and mis-spelt and allsorts. I can't verify that because I'm too busy writing an aesthetic review of the thing and only have 150-odd words in which to do so.

I didn't expect discovering Rock of Gibraltar is owned by the British Peeps! Who knew? I surely…read moredidn't know this fact . . . I was also surprised learning that Spain wants the Rock returned to them, too. Visiting here was astonishing because Spain is right outside, but peeps living on the Rock-everyone uses British currency. Everyone in McDonald's spoke with a British accent! http://gibraltar.costasur.com/ http://www.gibnet.com/tourist/basics.htm http://www.gibnet.com/tourist/general.htm http://www.andalucia.com/gibraltar/home.htm

The rock of Gibraltar is indeed something very, very special. Just the thought of all sailors that…read morefor thousands of years that have shared this grand view is breathtaking. Lord Nelson, Marco Polo, Vasco da Gama are just a few that have passed this mighty rock. The view from the top of the Rock is just as breathtaking as its history. If possible - wait for clear skies before going to the top. It is worth it. Clear days it is possible to see far along the Spanish coast and across the sea to Africa. And - beware of the apes. No kidding. Already when docking at the top they may enter the cabin in search for food. According to the guards they are calmer and nicer in the morning than in the hot afternoon.

'What's so landmark and historic about a small, anonymous residential road on the edge of Oldbury?'…read more I hear you ask. Well in the case Apollo Road, what's so special about it is that it's where Kevin Rowland lived in the late 1970s, around the time he formed Dexys Midnight Runners. When I moved to this part of the world, I knew that he had once lived round here and was chuffed to find that the leader of one of my favourite bands had lived just a few minutes stroll from own doorstep. However, anyone expecting blue plaques, guided tours or people dancing round in dungarees will be sorely disappointed. Despite it's significance in local music history, Apollo Road does still remain a small, anonymous residential road on the edge of Oldbury. Only really worth a look if you're a big Dexys fan and want to walk down the road trying to work out which house he lived in, whilst humming 'Geno'. That's what I did anyway, and it made me feel good.

So, St. Nicolas Place was another 'stumbled upon' scenario today. I love the fact that I stumbled…read moreupon the largest collection of medieval buildings in the city, entirely by accident. I'm not sure that sort of thing happens every day... Of course, the down side of these things being entirely haphazard is the fact that I didn't coincide my accidental visit with the opening times, so the entire complex - which consists of the Tudor Merchant's House, St. Nicolas' Church and the Old Grammar School - was closed. However, as they are simply bang splat in the middle of Kings Norton, just off the Green, of course you can still wander around the complex, admiring the buildings from the outside. Which I greatly enjoyed doing. To be honest, that was perfect for me - there was enough information on the boards outside each building, and seeing as each element was very impressive externally, I'm not sure what more I'd have got out of going inside. They do do guided tours on Fridays and Saturdays, which I'm sure are worthwhile, and you'd find out more information on those. But I was happy to simply stroll around the Place, admiring the black and white Tudor frontages, the old stone church with its immense spire, a peaceful graveyard (yes, I have spent more time in Birmingham graveyards than average recently...) and the lovely little pathways that connect it all. I have made a mental note to return when the buildings are actually open. Watch this space.....

This is a very British take on a very North American tradition. But, the choice to install a totem…read morepole in the Park is clearly befitting to an area full of so much ancient history. The carving by Graham Jones was commissioned to celebrate the Park gaining nature reserve status in 1997. At 3.5 metres tall and carved from solid oak, this is a structure aptly marking the resolve to preserve the park as it is. The detail on the pole is more delicate in its message however. With an acorn at the base, the wildlife grows upwards culminating in a majestic and ancient deer at the crown. All life, flora or fauna, ancient or modern, come from the same place. The preservation of the park and its enjoyment by the people is a responsibility we all share, and depends wholeheartedly on us understanding the connectedness of all things. When I visit the park I'm always amazed at how beautiful this is - although I have never been tempted enough to dance around it!

A public square adjacent to the Chamberlain Square. We happened to visit the city the day after the…read moreCommonwealth Games had ended, so the place was still decorated in bright rainbow colors. The place has nice sights of historical sculptures and landmarks, plus important buildings such as the Town Hall and Council House. Although it was bustling with people at our weekday evening passthrough. I was astonished to witness the sheer number of children playing in the waters of The River "Floozie in the Jacuzzi". If visiting, I recommend coming in the morning when it is not so crowded.

Home to The Town Hall and the Council House in Birmingham, Victoria Square is a rather nice open…read moresquare and is in-between New Street and Colmore Row in the city - although partially ruined at the moment by ongoing construction works which make parts of the city a mess for the metro extension, I can't let this affect my opinion on the square as the construction is only temporary and of course the metro extension will bring lots of benefits to the West Midlands city as a whole. With fountains and benches, although there aren't really many cafes directly in the square - there is both a Starbucks on New Street and Colmore Row, however, where you can get multiple train and bus services respectively, it can be a nice place to sit in the city away from the hustle and bustle of the shopping areas on a nice sunny day - sadly in the UK we don't get many of them. In the square, you also have the Queen Victoria Statue, it is pretty much a common attraction most people will pass through while in Birmingham - this was pretty much part of my journey into the main city centre having to pass through the square to get to and from Broad Street, where many of the hotels from the Jury's Inn, Hampton by Hilton and Garden Inn Hilton, Hyatt Regency brands and more are located. I do feel there could be more of a welcome to tell people about the square including the historical parts of it including the Grade I listed building which is nice to see rather than having to look online after a visit and find it out. Pretty cool place in the city and it doesn't get as busy as the Bullring / New Street too on a regular day - pretty much Birmingham's answer to Piccadilly Gardens in a way. 3*

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."