Birmingham has such a long storied past that few travelers do more than scratch the surface. Luckily, thanks to the internet, the crafty traveler can visit not only the most obvious tourist locations, but the most obscure as well. Here’s but a small roundup of local attractions featuring Birmingham’s rich history.
Before many other countries were even in existence, Sir Thomas Holte built Aston Hall. Started in 1618 and completed in 1635, Aston Hall was the home to Sir Thomas Holte and the house in factremained with the family until 1817. They are proud to show off their great staircase, which was damaged by cannon fire during the civil war. Aston Hall is now part of the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.
A true testament to 18th century English architecture, Hagley Hall and Park once belonged to Lloyd Lyttelton and is a spectacular building that is remarkably still family owned and used as a residence. The Hall is on a lot larger than 350 acres and even has it’s own church. The house is not only famous for it’s architecture, but also it’s Van Dyke paintings, exquisite furniture, and incredible plasterwork. The Hall is also available for banquet use and other functions. ]
Quite a bit off the beaten house, and definitely an unknown for the common traveler, is Soho House. SoHo house was once the home of Matthew Boulton, who helped pioneer the industrial revolution. In fact, it was in this very house that the lunar society held their meetings. A unique experience for anyone interested in the industrial revolution. The SoHo house has been restored to it’s former glory, and a visitor center even holds a community art center.
Finally, if these museums are a bit too stufy for you, the Walsall Arboretum is a magnificent park located in the center of the town of Walsall. Incredibly, the Arboretum has been in operation since 1768! It spans over 80 acres and features a boating lake, a bowling green and club house, a golf course, and even a children’s play area. Most significant of all, however, is that the park is home to over 200 types of shrubbery. If you’re lucky enough to be there in the autumn, be sure to check out the Walsall Illuminations, a special 6 week light and laser event located at the Arboretum every fall.
The great part about having a rental car is that you can visit all these great little places after visiting the main tourist attractions. So few travelers know about these hidden gems that you’ll be surprised at how fantastic these off beat attractions are. If you’ve got a few hours to burn and you’re in the area, give these places a look.
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