Guide to Sutton Coldfield and Birmingham

Andrea
Guide to Sutton Coldfield and Birmingham

Sightseeing

Sutton Park is a 2,400 acre National Nature Reserve located 1 mile from the house. It’s one of the largest urban parks in Europe and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The park has open heathland, woodlands, seven lakes, wetlands, and marshes - each with its own rich variety of plants and wildlife, some rarely seen in the region. Cattle and wild ponies graze on the land. Sutton Park has been designated as a National Nature Reserve, a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. There are lots of lovely walks - across heathland, around the lakes or through the woodland. Food and drinks are available at The Park House (Toby Inn just inside the park by Town Gate), Blackroot Bistro (drinks, snacks and a selection of hot meals) which is located above Blackroot Pool and The Boathouse, a restaurant with amazing views across Bracebridge Pool. History Many features of Sutton Park date back over thousands of years and can be easily seen as you walk round the park. Although the vegetation is “natural”, it is actually the result of thousands of years of human management. This management has left many well-preserved archaeological remains, such as earthworks - humps and bumps in the ground surface - which can easily be seen. Neolithic Age Over 6,000 years ago, people were living off wild food plants, hunting and fishing in the area around Sutton Park. They would have been nomadic people, living in structures which have left very little trace. Some of their flint tools have, however, been found near Little Bracebridge Pool and Rowton's Well. Bronze Age Six mounds near Streetly Lane, were exposed when the covering vegetation was burned by fire in 1926. Excavations showed that they were all composed of stones which had been shattered by heating many years before and that there were pits under the two largest mounds. Their date of origin is not known, but they are similar to the many 'burnt mounds' found in the midlands and other parts of the country during the Bronze Age about 3000 years ago. These sites are thought to be the remains of steam or sauna bathing where hot stones were used to produce steam or of cooking where the stones were used to boil water. While peat near Longmoor Pool was being dug for fuel in the 18th century, worked timbers were found near Rowton's Well. These may be part of a timber trackway similar to those built across wet areas elsewhere in Britain and Ireland in prehistoric times. Roman Sutton Park’s Roman road is usually known as Ryknield Street. It’s about 1.5 mile long and was built as part of the Roman conquest of the West Midlands, just after the Roman army landed in Kent in AD 43. It was a military road joining forts at Wall (near Lichfield) and Metchley, on Vincent Drive in Edgbaston. The road comes through north Birmingham by way of Handsworth, Perry Barr and Kingstanding, and enters Sutton Park near Banners Gate. It crosses the bog, heathland and golf course on the west side, leaving on the north side of the park. The road is best seen near the Royal Oak Gate off Chester Road North.
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Sutton Park Visitor Centre
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Sutton Park is a 2,400 acre National Nature Reserve located 1 mile from the house. It’s one of the largest urban parks in Europe and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The park has open heathland, woodlands, seven lakes, wetlands, and marshes - each with its own rich variety of plants and wildlife, some rarely seen in the region. Cattle and wild ponies graze on the land. Sutton Park has been designated as a National Nature Reserve, a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. There are lots of lovely walks - across heathland, around the lakes or through the woodland. Food and drinks are available at The Park House (Toby Inn just inside the park by Town Gate), Blackroot Bistro (drinks, snacks and a selection of hot meals) which is located above Blackroot Pool and The Boathouse, a restaurant with amazing views across Bracebridge Pool. History Many features of Sutton Park date back over thousands of years and can be easily seen as you walk round the park. Although the vegetation is “natural”, it is actually the result of thousands of years of human management. This management has left many well-preserved archaeological remains, such as earthworks - humps and bumps in the ground surface - which can easily be seen. Neolithic Age Over 6,000 years ago, people were living off wild food plants, hunting and fishing in the area around Sutton Park. They would have been nomadic people, living in structures which have left very little trace. Some of their flint tools have, however, been found near Little Bracebridge Pool and Rowton's Well. Bronze Age Six mounds near Streetly Lane, were exposed when the covering vegetation was burned by fire in 1926. Excavations showed that they were all composed of stones which had been shattered by heating many years before and that there were pits under the two largest mounds. Their date of origin is not known, but they are similar to the many 'burnt mounds' found in the midlands and other parts of the country during the Bronze Age about 3000 years ago. These sites are thought to be the remains of steam or sauna bathing where hot stones were used to produce steam or of cooking where the stones were used to boil water. While peat near Longmoor Pool was being dug for fuel in the 18th century, worked timbers were found near Rowton's Well. These may be part of a timber trackway similar to those built across wet areas elsewhere in Britain and Ireland in prehistoric times. Roman Sutton Park’s Roman road is usually known as Ryknield Street. It’s about 1.5 mile long and was built as part of the Roman conquest of the West Midlands, just after the Roman army landed in Kent in AD 43. It was a military road joining forts at Wall (near Lichfield) and Metchley, on Vincent Drive in Edgbaston. The road comes through north Birmingham by way of Handsworth, Perry Barr and Kingstanding, and enters Sutton Park near Banners Gate. It crosses the bog, heathland and golf course on the west side, leaving on the north side of the park. The road is best seen near the Royal Oak Gate off Chester Road North.
Birmingham Donkey Sanctuary is located near to Town Gate, just past Te Park House Hotel. It's a little gem to visit but do check the opening times. When it's not open you can catch a peep at the donkeys across the fence next to Park House. Opening Times: Monday-Friday 3pm to 5pm (last admission at 4.30pm). Closed Wednesdays. Weekends and selected Bank Holidays 10am to 3pm. Closed first Saturday of each month. Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day. Closed Easter Sunday. https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/visit-us/birmingham Contact Pilkington Donkey Centre Town GATE Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham B74 2YT England +44 121 354 9444
The Donkey Sanctuary, Birmingham
Park Road
Birmingham Donkey Sanctuary is located near to Town Gate, just past Te Park House Hotel. It's a little gem to visit but do check the opening times. When it's not open you can catch a peep at the donkeys across the fence next to Park House. Opening Times: Monday-Friday 3pm to 5pm (last admission at 4.30pm). Closed Wednesdays. Weekends and selected Bank Holidays 10am to 3pm. Closed first Saturday of each month. Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day. Closed Easter Sunday. https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/visit-us/birmingham Contact Pilkington Donkey Centre Town GATE Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham B74 2YT England +44 121 354 9444
Digbeth Street Art Walk. Amazing collection of street art proliferates in the street of Digbeth. Give yourself a couple of hours at least to walk round the neighbourhood. 5 minutes walk from New Street Station. Download the map and guide from www.walkruncycle.com then grab some excellent food at The Custard Factory afterwards. Highly recommended
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Digbeth
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Digbeth Street Art Walk. Amazing collection of street art proliferates in the street of Digbeth. Give yourself a couple of hours at least to walk round the neighbourhood. 5 minutes walk from New Street Station. Download the map and guide from www.walkruncycle.com then grab some excellent food at The Custard Factory afterwards. Highly recommended

Entertainment

Excellent Comedy Club on the last Thursday of each month. Have some great acts at very reasonable prices. Check their Facebook page to see who's on : Comedy Junction@The Station
Station Sutton Coldfield
44 Station St
Excellent Comedy Club on the last Thursday of each month. Have some great acts at very reasonable prices. Check their Facebook page to see who's on : Comedy Junction@The Station
The UK's oldest working cinema, just 1 minute's walk from New Street Station. Small, intimate with a superb selection of drinks, cocktails and home made cakes and a wide selection of snacks (and no popcorn in sight!). Treat yourself to a sofa and have drinks served to you throughout the film. Look out also for special screenings - classic films, tasting experiences etc. theelecrtic.co.uk
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The Electric Cinema
47-49 Station St
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The UK's oldest working cinema, just 1 minute's walk from New Street Station. Small, intimate with a superb selection of drinks, cocktails and home made cakes and a wide selection of snacks (and no popcorn in sight!). Treat yourself to a sofa and have drinks served to you throughout the film. Look out also for special screenings - classic films, tasting experiences etc. theelecrtic.co.uk
The Hippodrome is one of the premiere theatres in Birmingham and hosts a wide range of shows - ballet, musical, shows. We're very proud to now have Carlos Acosta as director of the Birmingham Royal Ballet. And Matthew Bourne's company frequently performs here. If you're lucky enough to be here when the ballet is performing I'd highly recommend a visit! There are also contemporary dance events at the smaller Patrick Studio within the Hippodrome which are often very exciting and innovative. Check their website to see what's on www.birminghamhippodrome.com
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Birmingham Hippodrome
Hurst Street
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The Hippodrome is one of the premiere theatres in Birmingham and hosts a wide range of shows - ballet, musical, shows. We're very proud to now have Carlos Acosta as director of the Birmingham Royal Ballet. And Matthew Bourne's company frequently performs here. If you're lucky enough to be here when the ballet is performing I'd highly recommend a visit! There are also contemporary dance events at the smaller Patrick Studio within the Hippodrome which are often very exciting and innovative. Check their website to see what's on www.birminghamhippodrome.com
Our main theatre for drama, situated between the iconic Library of Birmingham and Symphony Hall: The REP is one of Britain's leading producers of new theatre. We commission newcomers and new groups as well as established theatre professionals. The REP's mission has always been to produce excellent theatrical experiences, to entertain, enlighten and engage audiences and, wherever possible, to reflect the diversity of Birmingham and the surrounding region. This supports our vision, which is to 'Inspire the city of Birmingham to a lifelong love of theatre' Making theatre from scratch remains at the heart of the theatre's work. Birmingham and the Black Country have historically been known as the workshop of the world. They are now celebrated as great cultural workshops too. Birmingham City Council vision has put cultural ingenuity at the centre of regeneration and The REP is a force at the heart of that vision. www.birmingham-rep.co.uk
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Birmingham Repertory Theatre
6 Broad St
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Our main theatre for drama, situated between the iconic Library of Birmingham and Symphony Hall: The REP is one of Britain's leading producers of new theatre. We commission newcomers and new groups as well as established theatre professionals. The REP's mission has always been to produce excellent theatrical experiences, to entertain, enlighten and engage audiences and, wherever possible, to reflect the diversity of Birmingham and the surrounding region. This supports our vision, which is to 'Inspire the city of Birmingham to a lifelong love of theatre' Making theatre from scratch remains at the heart of the theatre's work. Birmingham and the Black Country have historically been known as the workshop of the world. They are now celebrated as great cultural workshops too. Birmingham City Council vision has put cultural ingenuity at the centre of regeneration and The REP is a force at the heart of that vision. www.birmingham-rep.co.uk
Symphony Hall is widely considered to be one of the best concert halls in the world. The hall's interior is modelled on the Musikverein in Vienna and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. The venue, managed alongside Town Hall, presents a programme of jazz, world, folk, rock, pop and classical concerts, organ recitals, spoken word, dance, comedy, educational and community performances, and is also used for conferences and business events as part of the International Convention Centre. Don't miss the free jazz in the foyer on a Friday evening, 5.30-7.00 (Google Jazzlines free gigs to find out who's on) In 2016 the Concert Hall Acoustics expert Leo Beranek ranked Symphony Hall as having the finest acoustics in the United Kingdom, and the seventh best in the world. Proof of these fine acoustics is that a pre-opening acoustic test demonstrated that if a pin was dropped on stage, the sound could be heard from anywhere in the hall.It is home to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and hosts around 270 events a year. It's often possible to get last minute tickets to a wide range of musical events there. Ring the box office on 44 (0)121 780 3333 or visit the website at thsh.co.uk
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Symphony Hall
Broad Street
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Symphony Hall is widely considered to be one of the best concert halls in the world. The hall's interior is modelled on the Musikverein in Vienna and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. The venue, managed alongside Town Hall, presents a programme of jazz, world, folk, rock, pop and classical concerts, organ recitals, spoken word, dance, comedy, educational and community performances, and is also used for conferences and business events as part of the International Convention Centre. Don't miss the free jazz in the foyer on a Friday evening, 5.30-7.00 (Google Jazzlines free gigs to find out who's on) In 2016 the Concert Hall Acoustics expert Leo Beranek ranked Symphony Hall as having the finest acoustics in the United Kingdom, and the seventh best in the world. Proof of these fine acoustics is that a pre-opening acoustic test demonstrated that if a pin was dropped on stage, the sound could be heard from anywhere in the hall.It is home to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and hosts around 270 events a year. It's often possible to get last minute tickets to a wide range of musical events there. Ring the box office on 44 (0)121 780 3333 or visit the website at thsh.co.uk
A fabulous cafe in the day and the most intimate acoustic music venue by night! I cannot recommend this place highly enough. However, you'll need to drive there as it is the other side of the city centre. Check out their website to see who's on. Tickets are very reasonable - usually about 12 pounds - and they have some fantastic acts. kitchengardencafe.co.uk THE KITCHEN GARDEN CAFE IS A TRANQUIL OASIS IN THE HEART OF KINGS HEATH By day our Cafe serves delicious home-cooked food, Fairly Traded coffee & tea and homemade cakes & pastries. All with a nod to local and ethical sourcing. We cater for Vegetarians, Vegans and dietary issues, just ask if you need anything not catered for on our menus. We also have a Delicatessan serving our own home-cooked food daily. EVENTS On Sunday to Thursday evenings we host the best acoustic music in the City, specialising in Folk, Roots and Americana. Check out the events page for our programme.
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Kitchen Garden Cafe
17 York Rd
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A fabulous cafe in the day and the most intimate acoustic music venue by night! I cannot recommend this place highly enough. However, you'll need to drive there as it is the other side of the city centre. Check out their website to see who's on. Tickets are very reasonable - usually about 12 pounds - and they have some fantastic acts. kitchengardencafe.co.uk THE KITCHEN GARDEN CAFE IS A TRANQUIL OASIS IN THE HEART OF KINGS HEATH By day our Cafe serves delicious home-cooked food, Fairly Traded coffee & tea and homemade cakes & pastries. All with a nod to local and ethical sourcing. We cater for Vegetarians, Vegans and dietary issues, just ask if you need anything not catered for on our menus. We also have a Delicatessan serving our own home-cooked food daily. EVENTS On Sunday to Thursday evenings we host the best acoustic music in the City, specialising in Folk, Roots and Americana. Check out the events page for our programme.

Food scene

Beautiful historic hotel 5 mins drive. Excellent morning coffee and afternoon tea in luxurious surroundings. Licensed bar - pricey but beautiful gardens to sit in during the summer. A fine example of late medieval architecture, New Hall Hotel started life as a manor house built by the Earl of Warwick as a hunting lodge in the 13th century, giving it the reputation today of being England’s oldest listed inhabited moated house. Once hosted Henry VIII.
New Hall Hotel & Spa
Walmley Road
Beautiful historic hotel 5 mins drive. Excellent morning coffee and afternoon tea in luxurious surroundings. Licensed bar - pricey but beautiful gardens to sit in during the summer. A fine example of late medieval architecture, New Hall Hotel started life as a manor house built by the Earl of Warwick as a hunting lodge in the 13th century, giving it the reputation today of being England’s oldest listed inhabited moated house. Once hosted Henry VIII.
Family run Italian restaurant. Nice atmosphere and lovely food. It gets busy so would recommend booking after 7pm. www.pizzabygoli.co.uk
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Pizza By Goli
49 Birmingham Rd
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Family run Italian restaurant. Nice atmosphere and lovely food. It gets busy so would recommend booking after 7pm. www.pizzabygoli.co.uk
Independent coffee shop 8 minute walk away on Birmingham Road. Very relaxed with an excellent range of coffees (roasted on site), teas and fabulous home made cakes! 23a Birmingham Road Sutton Coldfield Birmingham B72 1QA www.underpressureespresso.co.uk "As Sutton Coldfields only real "speciality" coffee shop, we really hope that you stop by and try what we have to offer. We're a little different from anything else going on in Sutton town at the moment. We are fully focused on serving up coffee to the absolute best of our abilities. Coffee that has been sourced from some of the most amazing farms around the world and roasted impeccably. We're here to showcase all of that hard work in the cup. We can't wait serve you and see what you think."
Under Pressure Espresso
23A Birmingham Rd
Independent coffee shop 8 minute walk away on Birmingham Road. Very relaxed with an excellent range of coffees (roasted on site), teas and fabulous home made cakes! 23a Birmingham Road Sutton Coldfield Birmingham B72 1QA www.underpressureespresso.co.uk "As Sutton Coldfields only real "speciality" coffee shop, we really hope that you stop by and try what we have to offer. We're a little different from anything else going on in Sutton town at the moment. We are fully focused on serving up coffee to the absolute best of our abilities. Coffee that has been sourced from some of the most amazing farms around the world and roasted impeccably. We're here to showcase all of that hard work in the cup. We can't wait serve you and see what you think."