| The town of Solihull is conveniently located in the | | | | take part in special events or view live |
| West Midlands and is amongst a picturesque and | | | | demonstrations. Visitors can also learn about the 19th |
| stunning part of England. In and around Solihull there | | | | century craft workshops, study farm structures and |
| are many pleasant places to visit. This article aims to | | | | working windmills. |
| cover some of the best attractions and as it will | | | | Not far off between Coventry and Warwick lies the |
| reveal, Solihull has such a variety of attractions it | | | | Kenilworth Castle, classified as England's finest and |
| covers a variety of tastes and interests. | | | | most extensive castle ruins. Henry V is believed to |
| For those that are interested in experiencing a true | | | | have retired here after his victorious return from |
| cultural experience, Solihull Arts Complex is definitely | | | | Agincourt, and Sir Walter Scott enhanced tales of |
| thde place to visit. It has a theatre with a capacity to | | | | the fortress in his novel Kenilworth of 1821. For the |
| sit about 340 people but more importantly it is a | | | | nature fans, this area has a selection of parks |
| versatile venue and is multi-purpose. It also has a | | | | available for visiting, one of them being Babbs Mill |
| studio and gallery that stages exhibitions showcasing | | | | Local Nature Reserve. Built in the 1970's, the park |
| modern artwork and heritage collections. Within the | | | | was constructed in order to serve the Silver Jubilee |
| Solihull Art Complex there is a nice café bar | | | | of Queen Elizabeth II. This park has some stunning |
| where snacks and drinks can be bought in the day | | | | and picturesque lake views alongside areas of wildlife |
| and at lunch time. With all interesting art work and | | | | inhabitants. |
| the amenities visitors easily end up spending a | | | | The National Trust owns the picturesque medieval |
| considerable time during their visit. | | | | moated manor house and garden Baddesley Clinton. |
| Another place around Solihull for arts and crafts | | | | It is an impressive house that dates back to the 15th |
| enthusiasts is the Hatton Country World and | | | | century with fascinating hiding places used by priests |
| Shopping Village situated just off the road from | | | | who continued to minister to Roman Catholic families |
| Solihull to Warwick. Although this is primarily a farm | | | | during the late 16th century. |
| park with loads of animals, locks on the Grand Union | | | | Another National Trust owned site is the Packwood |
| Canal, falconry, adventure play and nature trail, it has | | | | House situated about 5 miles from Solihull. This is a |
| a shopping village with lots of art and crafts for sale. | | | | stately timber framed tudor home with a fascinating |
| For those who are into motors and motor history, | | | | civil war history and a wealth of tapestries and fine |
| the Heritage Motor Centre at Gaydon will surely be a | | | | furniture. It has an elegant and lavish interior with |
| place of great interest visit. This is an ex-Royal Air | | | | renowned collections of stained glass and tapestries. |
| Force Station just off the M40 near Warwick and | | | | The Packwood House is also famous for its yew |
| has weird, wonderful and world beating vehicles all | | | | garden in which the trees are said to represent the |
| under one roof. It also features the story of the UK | | | | Sermon on the Mount. |
| motor industry featuring 200 British vehicles. | | | | For some quality family time, there is the Umberslade |
| Then there is also the National Motorcycle Museum at | | | | Children's Farm. This is a small family run farm just a |
| Bickenhill which is only about a mile away from Solihull | | | | few miles south of Solihull. It has some farm animals, |
| town centre. It is home to a display of 600 British | | | | trailer and pony rides, adventure play and farm walks. |
| motor cycles, spanning across the vast period of | | | | For those that love shows and exhibitions, The |
| between1898 to 1980. Unfortunately, a fire struck a | | | | National Exhibition Centre (NEC) is a stone's throw |
| few years ago and the complex has now re-opened | | | | from Solihull. Though it is classed as being in |
| after the disaster with conference facilities for 5000 | | | | Birmingham it is more closer to Solihull. The NEC is the |
| delegates, a larger gift shop and better access for | | | | busiest exhibition centre in Europe and hosts more |
| the disabled. There are conference facilities at both | | | | than 180 exhibitions each year. You can be assured |
| the National Motorcycle Museum and Heritage Motor | | | | to find multiple shows each week at the centre. The |
| centre. | | | | NEC hosts popular shows that vary from world |
| To learn about the history of construction and | | | | famous public shows as Crufts Dog Show and |
| historic architecture, visitors can go to the Avon | | | | Clothes Show Live to international trade exhibitions |
| Croft Museum of Buildings. The museum has a wealth | | | | like IPEX, Autumn Fair and Spring Fair. It is estimated |
| of information on the construction of buildings in | | | | that the NEC receives about five million people each |
| Solihull in the past seven centuries. The museum also | | | | year. |
| exhibits buildings framed with timber and visitors can | | | | |