A Tour of Birmingham
Recently I did a tour of Birmingham for some Year 6 pupils. Here is the amazing report written by one of them afterwards. Year 6 Geography Field Trip
Birmingham
Leading the Fellowship of the Ring
Today, I did one of my favourite of all tours – a full afternoon exploring the locations in and around Birmingham that influenced the young JRR Tolkien in his life and writing. I always enjoy these tours, but today’s was…
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Blue Badge Tour Guide FAQs
What is the Blue Badge? What is the benefit of hiring a Blue Badge Guide? What is the difference between the Blue Badge and a Green Badge? How much does it cost to hire a Blue Badge Guide? Can I…
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Q and A Part 2
So here are some more questions about me and my work as a guide… What do you do when you’re not guiding? Alongside my guiding, I work as a freelance German-English translator. I am fluent in German – which I…
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How can I tell if my guide really has a Blue Badge?
Your guide should have a physical badge, like the one pictured. They will probably be wearing it, either pinned to a lapel or on a lanyard, when they meet you. If you can’t see it, you are entitled to ask…
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Vee’s Deli
Just like much else in the Jewellery Quarter, Vee’s Deli is small but perfectly formed. The solid wooden door looks a little unwelcoming, but once you step inside, the atmosphere is warm and cosy. Vee has a friendly, bubbly personality…
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Top Ten Things to Do in Birmingham
Birmingham is such a huge, thriving city that it’s hard to choose just ten must-do things. My original list was much longer, and it took a long while to whittle it down, but (in no particular order) here goes… 1 …
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Academic tours…for all ages!
Guiding tends to be quite a seasonal job, with lots of bookings in the summer but nowhere near to many in the colder months. But this week has certainly been an exception. Tuesday and Thursday were school tours for Year…
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Inspired By Birmingham! Review of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
I’m a big fan of Tolkien’s books, and fascinated by how his early life in Birmingham inspired him, but I’m equally enamoured with Peter Jackson’s film adaptations of The Lord Of The Rings. So I was eagerly awaiting the arrival…
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A Day in the Life of a Blue Badge Tourist Guide
I’m up early because I’m doing a Meet and Greet at Birmingham Airport this morning. I’ll be welcoming a group of 6 people from their flight, making sure that they have no problems, such as lost luggage, and then escorting…
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Tolkien’s Middle Earth Tour
A Trip to Middle Earth With the release of the first instalment of the film adaptation of The Hobbit in December, there is a renewed surge of interest in J.R.R. Tolkien and his work at the moment. Peter Jackson’s movies…
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Birmingham’s Christmas Markets
The latter part of the year can mean only one thing in Birmingham, and that’s market time! Since it began more than 15 years ago, it’s become as much a part of Christmas for Brummies as carol singers, presents and…
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Victorian Restaurant
There is nothing quite like a traditional English breakfast. Whether you’re about to go to work, shopping, sightseeing or just enjoying time with family or friends, it can set you up for the day ahead. In Birmingham, one of the…
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Testimonial
During 2012 we have enjoyed reading your blog and have had a wonderful time using several of your suggestions for days out. We have also been on some of your walking tours and themed events. All have been good fun…
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Sarehole Mill
Tucked away in the residential suburbs of South Birmingham is a hidden gem. Worth visiting in its own right, and linked to two of Birmingham’s most famous residents too – that’s Sarehole Mill. Starting life as a rural mill several…
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Aston Hall
It is easy to spend a whole morning or afternoon at Aston Hall. It is a beautiful manor house in the Aston area of Birmingham, which was involved in the Civil War – you can still see the hole in…
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Aston Hall
It is easy to spend a whole morning or afternoon at Aston Hall. It is a beautiful manor house in the Aston area of Birmingham, which was involved in the Civil War – you can still see the hole in…
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Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so with this many beautiful pictures we don’t think we need to add anything, other than “Go and visit”! [slideshow] For more ideas for places to visit, come and browse the…
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Winterbourne House and Gardens
Winterbourne House is one of Birmingham’s hidden treasures – even many of the locals don’t know it’s there. It’s just a short walk from the Birmingham University campus, and easily accessible by bus and train. The house is small, but…
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Selly Manor
One of Birmingham’s well-kept little secrets is Selly Manor. It’s a small, beautifully preserved, Tudor house in Bournville. It’s inexpensive to visit and although there are only a few rooms, there are plenty of activities to do – especially if…
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The Pen Room
Situated in the Argent Centre, on the edge of the Jewellery Quarter, just a few minutes walk from the city centre and Brindley Place, The Pen Room is one of Birmingham’s best kept secrets. It is a privately owned museum…
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Moonlight Cuisine
Birmingham is well-known for its curries. It has a whole area, known as the Balti Triangle, devoted to this type of cuisine but our recommendation for the best curry in the city is Moonlight Cuisine. It’s a little out of…
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Birmingham’s Independent Coffee Shops
I’ve loved coffee, for as long as I can remember. Most students’ key item of equipment in their hall of residence room was a toaster – mine was my coffee machine, an 18th birthday gift from my parents! While I…
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Sutton Park
Sutton Park, in the north of Birmingham, is one of the largest urban parks in Europe, with 2400 acres of land. There are paths suitable for bikes and pushchairs, but you are also free to leave the path and stroll…
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