Sherborne Wharf, based canal side in Birmingham city centre is a lovely day out, especially if…read moreyou've not been before. You have to visit Sherborne Wharf to be able to hire one of the public available barges, as most of the small barges around the canals are privately owned and not accessible. They do tours through all the canals, and is a great local and somewhat different way of seeing the local canal and Brindley place tourist haunts. It's quieter in the morning, and you may find a bit of a queue during the weekend. Sitting on the barges, yes they are a little small on the inside, but worth the experience! Mind your head if your tall like me. Great to just relax, maybe take some food with you, or, take the dog down by the canal side. Easily reached from Broad Street, a short walk from the Mailbox and round the corner from Brindley place. A lovely and idyllic way to spend an afternoon.

To review Big Brum Sightseeing, I have to talk about what I think is their best tour; the Christmas…read moreLights tour. This is an open top bus, driving through Birmingham city centre when the Christmas lights are on. So yes it's freezing but it's dazzling too. I've been on it twice and whilst it doesn't get any warmer and each year we vow to take more warming things with us; another pair of gloves, and extra thermal hat, thermal socks, flask of hot chocolate etc etc. The best part of is it the commentary because although this is a Christmas tour, the guide is full of dark humour and we hear all about Christmas murders, wrong doings and mis-behaviour in the bygone era. Unmissable every Christmas!

Birmingham also has its famous sightseeing bus tours and I have been experiencing some of them. The…read moreBig Brum Open Top sightseeing is one of those experiences. Every first Sunday of each month, including this one now) until October, it's possible to check 30 touristic places of Birmingham, in a sightseeing that has the starting point on the corner of Colmore Row and Waterloo street, at Victoria Square. Take note: There are three different hours to join this adventure, at 10:30, 12:30 and 2.30 pm. When this tour guided started running in Birmingham, the admission was free but now it costs £12 (adults), £8 (students), £5 (15-5 years children) and under 5 years are for free. It's a bit pricey for a sightseeing compared to other bigger cities but if you just have a weekend to explore the city and this weekend is exactly when the Big Brum is running, it's a good way of visiting most of the heritage museums and landmarks in just one go!

Great company - great professional reliable service - our company have used them for over 25 years…read moreand they have never ever failed us!

From the owner: 24 Hour Taxi Service for business and leisure. VAT Registered, credit cards or credit facilities…read moreavailable (subject to terms)

You could be forgiven for not knowing about Martineau Gardens…read more Rather inconspicuous, it sits alongside a busy junction in the Edgbaston area and doesn't warrant much attention from the road. Once through the gates you find yourself in amongst fruit trees and carefully nurtured plants and flowers, on this occasion we didn't venture past the club house but had already witnessed an almost surreal scene of classes being given on the lawn with a tree being the focus of the lesson, needless to say the world of traffic noise and commuter squabble is soon forgotten. The staff were friendly when approached and assisted with our guesswork as to exactly which fruits blossomed within the protective netting of various beds. Martineau Gardens is a welcoming place and offers a great deal for anyone interested in the simple joys of gardening. Events are held regularly and more information can be found at their website: http://www.martineau-gardens.org.uk/visitor-information/plants-produce/

An oasis of calm just set back from busy Edgbaston roads…read more Volunteer gardeners are friendly and always willing to help. Produce and plants are also often for sale (wood chips, seasonal vegetables and fruit and preserves) There are always interesting things growing and it's good for a look around any time of year. They even have a mulberry tree, not many of those in the area. Their events are worth visiting as there's always a lot going on (from Seed swaps to Apple Days)There's also a great play area with large wooden ship for the tiddlywinks to have a play on.