More Days Out News
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Derren Brown brings Only Human show to Wolverhampton
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Pomp and pageantry as Birmingham International Tattoo returns for 2025
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B:Festive this Christmas and New Year at Town Hall and Symphony Hall
Posted on Tue 19 Nov
Check out our selection of things to do in the Midlands during the next few weeks.
PUMPKINFEST
Park Hall Country Experience is having a spooky takeover this month with the return of Pumpkinfest.
As well as providing youngsters with free pumpkins to carve in the farm’s huge pumpkin shed, the venue is also hosting numerous Halloween attractions (Pumpkin Alley, The Little Scare House and a spooky trail) and activities (Pass The Pumpkin and Mummy Wrap).
Also included in the price of a ticket are all the usual farm attractions, including barrel train and tractor rides, the planet room and science area.
Park Hall Countryside Experience, Oswestry, Shropshire, until Sunday 3 November
HALLOWEEN TRAIL
Families visiting Compton Verney this October half term can enjoy a spooky Halloween trail. Inspired by Chila Kumari Singh Burman and Louise Bourgeois’ on-site Spider sculpture (see picture below), visitors will take a journey through the grounds and uncover neon spider pumpkins concealed in hidden areas.
Compton Verney, until Sunday 3 November
CAR DESIGN: TECH TAKES THE WHEEL
The British Motor Museum’s family-friendly selection of half-term activities are inspired by the evolution of car design.
From the classic sketchbook to 3D digital imagery, visitors can learn how technology has made possible some of history’s finest designs.
Activities include Dottie & Dougie’s Tracing Tech Family Tours and an ‘electrifying’ Graphite Lights craft activity.
Families visiting the venue from Tuesday 29 October to Friday 1 November can join the scientists in the lab for a series of mind-blowing experiments.
A spooky Black Cat Trail also features.
British Motor Museum, Gaydon, until Sunday 3 November
THE CREATIVE CRAFT SHOW
The Creative Craft Show is the UK’s biggest mixed craft exhibition, featuring everything from stamps to threads and patterns to embroidery kits.
In addition to shopping, workshops and offering plenty of inspiration both for new and established crafters, the event also includes demonstrators and influencers sharing new ideas, and stallholders poised and prepared to provide the very latest tools, allowing visitors to fully refresh their craft cabinet.
A ticket to the event also buys access to sister shows Sewing For Pleasure (Winter Edition, see below), Simply Christmas (see below), Cake International (Friday to Sunday only) and Bake International (Friday to Sunday only).
* EXCLUSIVE READER OFFER - GET 30% OFF TICKETS WITH CODE NEC30 AT CHECK OUT *
Book by 30/10/2024 for discount
NEC, Birmingham, Thursday 31 October - Sunday 3 November
SEWING FOR PLEASURE
If you have a passion for sewing, knitting, patchwork or stitching, then Sewing For Pleasure is the show for you.
Now boasting a brand-new Winter Edition, the event features must-have fabrics, yarns, patterns and threads, as well as plenty of inspiring ideas from a host of sewing celebrities.
Attractions include Make & Take sessions - mini workshops (hosted on-stand by stallholders) which offer visitors the chance to try out a new material or tool before making a purchase.
* EXCLUSIVE READER OFFER - GET 30% OFF TICKETS WITH CODE XMAS30NEC AT CHECK OUT *
Book by 30/10/2024 for discount
NEC, Birmingham, Thursday 31 October - Sunday 3 November
SIMPLY CHRISTMAS
Simply Christmas is a ‘crafty’ show offering a diverse range of gifts to help visitors with all their present-buying conundrums.
Over 150 stall holders will be showcasing exclusive ranges of bespoke and unusual gifts, with glassware, jewellery, art, candles, ceramics and clothing (plus plenty more) all featuring.
Visitors can get stuck into the festivities with a themed workshop, soak up the atmosphere with Christmas food, drink and live music, and even say hello to Santa Claus himself as he spreads some early yuletide cheer.
* EXCLUSIVE READER OFFER - GET 30% OFF TICKETS WITH CODE XMAS30NEC AT CHECK OUT *
Book by 30/10/2024 for discount
NEC, Birmingham, Thursday 31 October - Sunday 3 November
CAKE AND BAKE INTERNATIONAL
Cake International is celebrating its 30th birthday this month. The popular cake decorating and sugarcraft event is marking the occasion with a show that brings together an impressive line-up of suppliers, a host of talented artists and a selection of interactive and inspiring displays. The event also incorporates ‘the biggest and most reputable cake competition in the world’. Exhibits to look out for include lifesize creations of Queen Elizabeth I and Taylor Swift.
Taking place alongside Cake International is Bake International - a ‘baking paradise’ that visitors can explore via the same ticket.
NEC, Birmingham, Friday 1 - Sunday 3 November
BIRMINGHAM FRANKFURT CHRISTMAS MARKET
A firm favourite in Birmingham’s annual events calendar, the Frankfurt Market this month returns to the city to offer some atmospheric festive cheer in the run-up to Christmas. Filling Victoria Square and running along New Street, the market features a wide variety of stalls selling a tempting array of food & drink, traditional toys, ornaments and gifts.
Birmingham City Centre, Friday 1 November - Tuesday 24 December
ICE SKATE BIRMINGHAM
Ice Skate Birmingham and the Big Wheel make a welcome return to Centenary Square this month.
While the wheel offers the opportunity to enjoy fantastic views across the city, the weather-proofed ice rink accommodates up to 300 people per session.
And when skaters have finished their Torvill & Dean routine, they can warm themselves up with some festive fare in the nearby Ice Lounge and double deck rooftop bar.
Centenary Square, Birmingham, Friday 1 November - Sunday 5 January
MIND BODY SPIRIT FESTIVAL
Featuring inspirational and motivational speakers, musicians, artists and performers from across the globe, Mind Body Spirit Festival is described as ‘a three-day celebration of wellness’.
The event covers a wide range of subjects, from feng shui to meditation, and also features a wellbeing studio offering free classes in yoga, dance and movement.
For those in need of peace and calm, the Alchemy of Sound provides meditation sessions and immersive sound experiences, whilst the Ceremony Space is a sanctuary in which to relax and recharge.
Visitors can also browse a host of health & wellbeing products, jewellery, supplements and organic foods.
NEC, Birmingham, Friday 15 - Sunday 17 November
MOTERCYCLE LIVE
The UK’s biggest motorcycle show, Motorcycle Live returns to the NEC this month with a brand-new festival vibe, ‘electrifying’ entertainment, live music, gourmet street food and wall-to-wall bikes (with plenty of opportunities to ride).
The 2024 edition of the event sees Grace Webb heading up the Expert Lab - a new element of the show that boasts a jam-packed schedule of engaging, informative and entertaining sessions featuring a line-up of expert guests.
NEC, Birmingham, Thursday 16 - Sunday 24 November
GOOD FOOD SHOW WINTER
The Good Food Show Winter is set to warm up the NEC this month.
The festive foodie experience will be bursting with recipe inspiration, tips and tricks from top chefs and experts, hands-on workshops and tastings, unique dining experiences and a huge variety of producers and brands.
In the Big Kitchen, the very best celebrity chefs will be cooking dishes live on stage, with James Martin, Tom Kerridge, Nadiya Hussain and Michel Roux among the well-known names making a contribution.
* EXCLUSIVE READER OFFER - GET 15% OFF TICKETS WITH CODE WHATSON AT CHECK OUT * Offer not valid on VIP tickets, ends 8/11/2024
NEC, Birmingham, Thursday 21 - Sunday 24 November
VISIST SANTA: VINTAGE SLEIGH EXPERIENCE
The Vintage Sleigh Ride experience returns to Coventry Transport Museum this month.
Wander through a magical winter wonderland of festive activities and snowy scenes before taking a ride on an enchanting vintage sleigh pulled by two trusty reindeer. Your next stop? Lapland. Meet Santa, tell him your Christmas wishes and collect a special gift!... The Vintage Sleigh Ride experience includes museum admission tickets for the day of your visit.
Coventry Transport Museum, Friday 22 November - Monday 23 December
THE NATIONAL FESTIVAL OF RAILWAY MODELLING
Railway modelling enthusiasts are in for a treat this month when the brand-new National Festival of Railway Modelling event debuts at the NEC.
The show features more than 60 model railway layouts, free-to-use rail simulators - giving visitors the chance to ‘drive’ their favourite locomotive - and 100-plus leading manufacturers, retailers, specialist suppliers, clubs and societies.
Other show highlights include the Innovation Zone and the World of Railways Cinema.
NEC, Birmingham, Saturday 23 & Sunday 24 November
SANTA TRAINS
Experience a magical rail journey courtesy of Severn Valley Railway’s Santa Trains.
After walking through a winter wonderland at Kidderminster station, board the steam train for a journey to Arley station.
Once there, enjoy a live panto stage show, featuring a host of festive characters appearing alongside Father Christmas as he prepares for the biggest night of the year.
The train journey back to Kidderminster comes complete with a ‘present-shaped surprise’ for every child.
New for 2024, selected trains will offer the chance to break the return journey with a stop at Bewdley, to enjoy all that the riverside town has to offer.
Severn Valley Railway, Kidderminster, weekends from Saturday 30 November - Tuesday 24 December
SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY
Operating mainly steam-hauled passenger trains between Bridgnorth, Bewdley and Kidderminster, this much-loved railway transports visitors on a route of about 16 miles along the beautiful Severn Valley.
The journey includes a stop-off at the Engine House Visitor Centre at Highley, where passengers can check out massive locomotives and enjoy themed exhibitions of unique railway vehicles.
Those starting their journey at Bridgnorth will also have the option of stop-offs at Bewdley and Kidderminster, the latter of which boasts a railway museum.
Kidderminster: Station Dr, Kidderminster, DY10 1QX; Bridgnorth: 2 Hollybush Road, Bridgnorth, WV16 4AX Freedom Of The Line adult tickets £25, child (four - 17-year-olds) £16.50, Small Family Saver (one adult and up to two children) £50, Large Family Saver (two adults and up to four children) £75
BIRMINGHAM CATHEDRAL
Birmingham Cathedral is the oldest building in the city centre still used for its original purpose. The cathedral has four stained-glass windows, designed by Pre-Raphaelite artist Edward Burne-Jones, which were fully conserved and returned to their original glory last year.
Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 2QB. Free to visit
THE BLACK COUNTRY LIVING MUSEUM
Get stuck into some good old-fashioned fun at the Black Country Living Museum this summer holiday. The award-winning venue boasts more than 50 period shops and houses to explore. It also features a host of famous characters, to help bring the region’s fascinating history to life, from the 1850s up to the 1960s.
Visitors can leave the 21st century behind and take part in old-fashioned street games, head underground for a glimpse of life as an 1850s miner, or take a stroll down the museum’s new high street and check out some 1950s trends.
Pay for one visit and the museum will give you a BCLM UnChained Annual Pass, valid for 12 months.
Tipton Rd, Dudley, DY1 4SQ. Adults £25.95, Children (3-15yrs) £12.95
ROUNDHOUSE BIRMINGHAM
A unique Grade II listed building at the heart of Birmingham’s canal network, The Roundhouse is dedicated to sharing stories of the city’s industrial heritage in new and imaginative ways. Attractions include walks, cycle tours, boat trips and a range of kayak and paddleboarding tours.
1 Sheepcote St, Birmingham, B16 8AE. Activities range in price
THE ROYAL AIR FORCE MUSEUM MIDLANDS
Telling the story of aviation history and housing one of the largest collections of its kind in the UK, RAF Museum Midlands is home to more than 75 historic aircraft displayed in three wartime hangars on an active airfield.
The museum boasts a variety of exhibitions and displays. One of the most popular is a collection of aircraft from the Battle of Britain era, featuring a Hurricane and Boulton Paul Defiant - built in the West Midlands - alongside the oldest surviving Spitfire.
Virtual tours, hands-on fun’n’flight activities, an aviation-themed playground and dedicated conservation and exhibition areas further add to the venue’s impressive offer.
RAF Museum Midlands, Lysander Avenue, Cosford, TF11 8UP. Free to visit
SUDELEY CASTLE
Walk in the footsteps of notable characters from the mists of time at Sudeley Castle. Boasting a fascinating history stretching back over 1,000 years, the castle is surrounded by 10 award-winning gardens. There’s also an adventure playground and a fun fort for younger visitors to enjoy.
Winchcombe, Cheltenham, GL54 5JD. Adults £22, Children (3-15yrs) £10
THINKTANK BIRMINGHAM SCIENCE MUSEUM
Located in Birmingham city centre, Thinktank offers a great day out for visitors of all ages.
From steam engines and talking robots through to gurgling guts and a chocolate-wrapping machine, the venue features more than 200 hands-on science & technology displays.
Highlights include MiniBrum - an interactive mini city for under-eights - a 4k planetarium and a science garden.
Millennium Point, Curzon St, Birmingham, B4 7XG. Adults from £15.50, Children (3-15yrs) from £7.50
COTSWOLD FARM PARK
Cotswold Farm Park is home to more than 50 flocks and herds of farm animals, provides visitors with the chance to learn about farming past and present, and features an adventure playground, a farm safari, a maze, sandpits, jumping pillows and plenty more.
Guiting Power, Cheltenham, GL54 5FL. Adults £17.50, Children (4-15yrs) £15.50
BRITISH MOTOR MUSEUM
Home to the world’s largest collection of historic British vehicles, the British Motor Museum tells the stories of the people and places behind the cars.
Themed trails, touch-screen exhibits, an interactive zone, costumed guided tours, and a varied programme of themed activities make for an inspiring day out.
A new feature exhibition, From Sketch To Street, will launch on Friday 19 July, exploring the transformative nature of car design across four key themes from the motor industry’s design world.
Banbury Rd, Gaydon, CV35 0BJ. Adults £16, Children £9 (pre-booked online)
STRATFORD-UPON-AVON BUTTERFLY FARM
Stratford Butterfly Farm is home to hundreds of the world’s most spectacular butterflies. The popular venue features a ‘discovery zone’ - inhabited by giant silkmoths and their cocoons - and the Minibeast Metropolis - home to snakes, reptiles, amphibians and other invertebrates.
The Butterfly Farm’s connections to the rainforests of Belize and the Maya civilisation are also in evidence, with more than 30 replicated ancient Maya artefacts on display throughout the attraction.
Swan’s Nest Lane, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 7LS. Adults £8.95, Children (3-16yrs) £7.95
WEST MIDLANDS POLICE MUSEUM
Set in a Victorian lock-up, the West Midlands Police Museum showcases more than 200 years of policing history.
The lock-up was built in 1891, and during its time housed a total of more than one million prisoners, with the cell doors closing for the final time in 2016. As well as bringing together an unrivalled collection of police artefacts, the museum also offers a range of hands-on activities, providing visitors with the opportunity to play the role of detective at a crime scene, examine evidence in a forensics lab, take their own police ‘mugshot’ and dress up in police uniforms from years gone by.
Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham, B4 6BJ. Adults £10, Children (3-15yrs) £6
WESTON PARK
Boasting 1,000 acres of beautiful Capability Brown-landscaped parkland, Weston Park is the perfect destination for long walks, lazy lunches and fun days out with the kids.
The venue is also home to a nationally important art collection, a restaurant, a woodland adventure playground, a miniature railway, a deer park and luxurious holiday cottages.
Weston-under-Lizard, Shifnal, TF11 8LE. Adults £8.80, Children £5.20 (pre-booked online) You can purchase entry on arrival at Weston Park, with prices as follows: Adult £11, seniors (65+) £10, child (four - 14-year-olds) £6.50, and family (two adults & three children) £37.
