Cadbury World
Discover the history of Cadbury at Cadbury World, from its social pioneering to the perfection of the recipe for Cadbury Dairy Milk; first launched in 1905, and still a market leader today. Find out all there is to know about making chocolate, and amaze yourself with the brand stories and brand timeline that show how many Cadbury brands have been favourites since the early 1900s. The origins of chocolate can be traced back to the ancient Maya and Aztec civilisations in Central America, who first enjoyed `chocolatl´; a much-prized spicy drink made from roasted cocoa beans. Chocolate was exclusively for drinking until the early Victorian era, when a technique for making solid `eating´ chocolate was devised.
Linden Road, Bournville, B30 2LU
Website
Priory Visitor Centre
The best way to find out about medieval life in Coventry is to visit the Priory Visitor Centre. When excavated the site revealed the remains of Coventry´s first Cathedral and the Priory Undercrofts. Many remains of the medieval buildings have been uncovered and some reburied for their protection. The guided tours of the Priory Undercroft show vaulted rooms, a courtyard, doorways and passages.
Priory Gardens, Coventry, CV1 5EX
Website
Stuart Crystal
Take a self guided tour through the glassworks including the underground passages and tunnels which have not previously been open to the public. A spiral staircase allows you to walk up through the core of the glass furnace onto a viewing platform. Here visitors can marvel at the scale and enormity of this amazing structure. Skilled craftspeople will be on hand to demonstrate glassmaking skills and answer questions. Newly installed exhibition galleries tell the story of glassmaking in the area and the history of this unique glassworks. Glass and archive material from the Stuart Collection which spans over 100 years will also be on display.
Redhouse Glassworks, Stourbridge, DY8 4AA
Website
National Sea Life Centre
A tropical paradise in the heart of the city. Take a marine voyage beneath the waves and explore over 60 spectacular displays. From the touch pool to the one million-litre ocean tunnel, you’ll encounter everything from starfish to seahorses, sharks, rays and otters. Our largest residents are two enormous giant sea turtles – Molokai and Gulliver.
The Waters Edge, Brindley Place, Birmingham, B1 2HL
Website
Ironbridge Gorge Museums
There are ten award-winning Museums spread along the valley beside the wild River Severn – still spanned by the world’s first Iron Bridge.
- Blists Hill Victorian Town – be transported back to a world of pounds, shillings and pence, where steam engines and horses powered industry and gas and candles lit shops, factories and homes. See what life was like in the late Victorian period by exploring numerous exhibits and interacting with costumed demonstrators and actors across the site.
- Coalport China Museum – see how designs in decorative china have changed to reflect the tastes and fashions of society since the factory was established in 1796.
Coalbrookdale, Telford, TF8 7DQ
Website
Coventry Transport Museum
Coventry is the birthplace of the British cycle and motor industry, and the Museum displays the world’s largest collection of British road transport, including 240 cars, commercial vehicles and buses, 100 motorcycles, over 200 cycles and around a million archive and ephemera items
Millennium Place, Hales Street, CV1 1PN
Website
Stratford-upon-Avon
The birthplace of William Shakespeare, steeped in culture and history. Set in the beautiful rural Warwickshire countryside, on the banks of the river Avon, it is one of the most important tourist destinations in the UK. With easy road, rail and airport access, it is the perfect place for a vacation or short break. Facilities for conferences and smaller business venues are excellent.
Website
Thinktank
Thinktank is Birmingham’s award-winning science museum offers an extraordinary, fun-packed day out for all visitors. From steam engines to intestines, Thinktank has over 200 hands-on displays on science and technology from the past, present and future. This includes the state-of-the-art Planetarium, where you can tour the night sky and fly through the galaxy without stepping a foot outside and IMAX Cinema. With an ever-changing programme of workshops, classes, laboratory sessions and interactive science shows, there’s always something new to discover. Thinktank is open 10am – 5pm 7 days a week, except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum, Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG
Website
West Midlands Safari Park
Take a 4 mile Safari and see a wide variety of exotic and unusual animals roaming the reserves, including rare and beautiful White Tigers, Elephants, Rhino, Giraffe, Lion, Wallaby, Tiger, Emu, Camel, Zebra, Gnu, Eland, Ankole Cattle, Yak, Przewalski´s Horse, Asian Buffalo, Wolf, Llama and all kinds of Antelope! To ensure that there really is never a dull moment, there are a variety of Live Shows and Attractions at timed intervals during the day. These include Animal Encounter, Reptile Encounter, Sealion Show and twice daily Hippo Feeding.
Spring Grove, Bewdley, Worcestershire DY12 1LF
Website
Back to Things to do around the UK