More new museums on the Horizon
by sourbugger
In it's quest to gain more of those elusive tourist dollars, Birmingham is casting around in it's history for new museums to draw in the tourists.
There are tentative plans for a museum of tennis - as it is claimed the world's first game was played in Edgbaston, a couple of miles from the city centre.
Tolkein could obviously be the basis for another 'visitor experience', although I feel they may have missed the bandwagon somewhat on that one.
More promisingly some suggest a 'Spitfire museum'. About 60% of the Spitfires built for WW2 came out of Birmingham, so it can rightfully claim to the home of the plane. It is rare that a piece of machinery performs so well, but also is a thing of beauty as well. I certainly support the push for such a museum, although I suspect they will have great difficulty in obtaining a full working example. The very few spitfires that remain, from the thousands produced, are often are the 'main draw' exhibit in whatever air museum they currently reside in.
Still, chocs away chappies, bandits a 3 O'clock, Ginger's bought it but we are still up for an innings. Tally- ho.
Cogges Manor Farm Museum
by Imbi
Address
Church Lane, Witney
In the heart of the Cotswolds, within easy reach of Birmingham, Cogges Manor Farm Museum offers the visitor a slice of life on a Victorian farm. Parts of the farm date back 700 years, but the clock has been stopped at a point about 100 years ago. Demonstrators in period costume show off some of the rural skills and country crafts of our Victorian forebears - and of course, there are the animals. Open from March to October.
One of the four major Department Stores
by Galahad about House of Fraser (formerly called Rackhams)
Same store but smartened up to compete with Selfridges. As part of the new image they have changed the name (pity). Having said that, we actually preferred the food hall to that of the flashy Selfridges where you feel everyone's a young thing. I think its old age!!! I would have liked a few more really knowledgeable staff to be around in the food hall. I didn't look at the other departments so I can't comment.
Trains to/from Birmingham
by graeme83
The intercity trains to/from Birmingham are very quick and a lot quicker than car/coach. By train will only take 1 hour to/from London compared to 2hours by car. Birmingham is centrally located so a direct train can be taken to most locations without having to change.
The Best Birmingham has to offer.
by J_P_B about Jessica's
I am somewhat speechless having been to Jessica's. I would not be lying if I said it was one of the best dining experiences I have ever had. The food was stunning, the service was attentive without being obtrusive, the atmosphere was relaxed rather than austere, which I have found tends to be the case in many such high brow establishments, and the overall impression after leaving was one of wanting to go back and eat the same meal all over again and now!
I won't waffle unnecessarily, so here goes. I had ham hock, with confit of vegetables and pea salad to start, mains was veal and dessert was praline pannacotta with cardomon ice cream and caramel sauce. My companions had (variously) seared scallops with crispy mackerel on truffled cauliflower and herb salad or foie gras as starters, roast saddle of lamb with aubergine and goats cheese cannelloni with roast tomato puree and green beans or slow cooked blade of beef with horseradish apple, buttered cabbage, mushroom cappuccino as mains and crème brulee of lavender honey with pistachios, apricot and almond ice cream. We each sampled the others meals and were extremely impressed. We were presented prior to the meal with an hors d'ouvres of parmesan bread and given palate cleanser of melon with feta cheese. Mind blowing and nice... I wish I was able to come up with stuff like this!
For drinks, we had a couple of bottles of Fleurie and some Sparkling mineral water and then topped it all off with coffee. The bill came to £181. With a well deserved tip, we pushed it to £200. Now, £50 is a lot per head, but I can not fault this place in any way, shape, or form. This isn't the most detailed review I've ever written, but the fact is, the food and service at Jessica's absolutely speak for themselves. If you don't want to go, fine, it leaves all the more room for the rest of us. I've finally had a meal in Birmingham which nearly reaches food nirvana and I'm looking forward to checking it out again... totally fantastic! The creme brullee is absolutely out of this world. But then, so is everything.
Sign in with Facebook
Rotunda
More miles of canals than Venice!
Inside the shopping centre
Giant litter bin, Birmingham
