West Midlands

Thanks Elrel we regularly do Farm Stays and always get a warm welcome plus a good breakfast.

NanKate - we stayed in a comfortable though fairly standard hotel with a pool and nearby golf course in Telford. We were out all day and I can't remember the name, sorry. Will see whether my daughter knows.
I've looked online and there are plenty of Shropshre farm b&bs, some very near Ironbridge. Church Farm b&b in Kemberton, Shifnal appealed to me and says it's only 10 minutes away but that is only from their website - I'm sure you'll research places yourselves. Have a lovely birthday trip!

With weather like this Britain is lovely....fab today.

Sue that sounds fabulous absolutely love steam trains. I am so pleased I have posted this thread I have had such a great response. We do live in a wonderful country.

Kate, the Severn Valley Railway does lovely trips where you can have afternoon tea, an evening meal or Sunday lunch while chugging up and down the beautiful line between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth in renovated dining cars drawn by steam locomotives... Maybe another weekend away..?

A lovely city for a long weekend. Jewellery quarter and the art gallery with a huge collection of Pre Raphaelites. People have misconceptions s about Bermingham. It is a beautiful city in the centre.

Thanks Elrel for the thumbs up for Ironbridge. Did you stay anywhere nice, as that will be my next search project ? The boat trip sounds like our idea of fun too.

DH has told me to go ahead and start booking the list of weekends away I want to do before we are totally passed it !

I absolutely love the Black Country Museum and we could visit again on our way home.

Stratford was my home town for 14 years after I left Brum so I know it well.

Thanks All with your help I feel ready to start planning our trip.

Ironbridge is great - we spent a couple of days there and visited all the museums, had a boat trip on the Severn and tried pork pies from the shop at the end of the bridge. We were there because a GS needed to know about the Industrial Revolution but so enjoyed it we'll certainly return soon.

I'm biased about Brum, there's so much going on here these days and also recommend the Black Country Museum. Loads to see and do in and around Warwick and Stratford too of course. You've had some great suggestions above from other posters. Have a lovely time when you come to the West Midlands!

If you go to Cadbury World don't miss Selly Manor and Minworth Greaves - Tudor buildings on the corner of Bournville Green. As well as the Birmingham Botanical Garden, the University Botanic Garden, Winterbourne, which is quite close, is also well worth a visit.

I would have been tempted by the Fizz too KatyK. It sounds as if the new station is a success.

Just to add - we visited the new Grand Central (the station complex) yesterday, it is fantastic (in my opinion!). Very crowded but lots of shops and eateries. It would have been rude to pass the champagne bar without partaking of a glass of fizz, so we had one A huge John Lewis too.

I really fancy this Victorian Village Wilma. I think I will search for a nice Farm Stay nearby, you always get an excellent breakie at this type of B and B.

www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186366-d261211-Reviews-Blists_Hill_Victorian_Town-Ironbridge_Ironbridge_Gorge_Shropshire_England.html

Couldn't resist NanKate!

There's a wonderful visitors attraction at Ironbridge now with a whole town recreated in Victorian times. Loads to see and do there. All the staff stay in character and we loved being asked by a policeman to show our licence for our dog (dogs on leads allowed). It's easy to spend a day there and have lunch in a lovely Victorian pub. There are events too, so check out the website. Be careful not to let your DH get snapped up by the army recruitment officer! Again TripAdvisor will be your friend!

Nankate We've been to Ironbridge but it was a while ago. We went on the way back from Bridgnorth (which is lovely) as I recall. I can't remember much about Ironbridge except for the bridge! As far as I can remember it is quite a small place but pretty. We didn't stay over.

Now a new challenge for you all. Have any of you been to Ironbridge ? What did you visit and did you stay over ?

Wilma I like your style of humour.

Hope you get a signal NanKate

Yes thanks KatyK New street station would be worth investigating. I can remember using it in the 1960s.

Next week I am meeting up with my cousin who was one of the designers of the previous N S Station. I shall be interested to see what he thinks of it.

Also thanks Wilma I will definitely check out Trip Advisor.

I have got to go into hospital on Friday just for the day and that will give me the perfect opportunity to trawl through the Internet whilst I am waiting for the consultant to stick a tube up my b**. Yes I know too much info.

PS One of the most common comments today about New Street is how far you have to walk now. That could be a big deal to many for several reasons.

I'd have a nosey on TripAdvisor.com too for ideas and tips about the places you choose. Lots of reviews include really helpful stuff that could make or break your day if you didn't know about it.

Nankate Just to add that the newly refurbished New Street Station (now called Grand Central) will opens this week. It looks pretty amazing with bars and shops and a huge concourse. John Lewis are opening their flagship store above the station itself. May be worth a look.

Anya not Anja

Thank you ALL for these great recommendations it would be lovely to feel I am back home.

In the 1960s I worked in Ludgate Hill and overlooked the canal, it was overgrown, dirty and derelict how wonderful it has been restored.

Thanks Anja for the photos and the kind offer. I think the glamping would suit my DS and family I will show it to them. My DH feels the cold terribly I think glamping would finish him off.

I really feel Birmingham and it's surrounding area is now a Star area to visit.

But Nonnie Kenilworth Castle doesn't have a roof

PS not sure what the wooden bucket is for