On a budget? Yeh, ain't we all! But fear not, there's still stuff to do for zero mulla.
(1.) Aston Hall Aston, B'ham Under the shadow of the Aston Expressway and the Villa ground is an impressive Jacobean hall, full of creaky floorboards, old paintings, tapestries and furniture.
(2.) Ikon Gallery Brindleyplace, B'ham One of the UK's leading contemporary art galleries, hosting several temporary exhibitions per year, from paintings and photographs, to installations and multi-media stuff. Recent shows have included photos of naked Japanese chicks in Readers Wives type poses, the bloke who did the Best of Blur album sleeve (Julian Opie), and various Turner Prize nominees.
(3.) The Lickey Hills Country Park Rubery, B'ham Along the Bristol Road, and keep going, through Longbridge towards Worcester and you'll find the Lickeys, a range of pleasantly steep wooded hills, countryside, and some fine views of Brum. The BT Tower, Five Ways and Birmingham Uni' are clearly visible. For a city ridiculed for it's urban sprawl, nice to know that countryside is so close...
(4.) The Barber Institute of Fine Arts Birmingham University Yes - they have their own on campus gallery (just by the BUGS building). One of the best small galleries in Britain with some great French Impressionist and Renaissance paintings. Compact, and always very very quiet. Shhhhhhh...
(5.) Museum of British Road Transport Coventry From horseless carriages to top of the range sporty classics, E type Jags to the humble Mini, the history of the British car industry is traced. Also includes Princess Di's old Metro and a couple of land speed record holders. Va-va-va-room!
* For more suggestions for places to visit, see icBirmingham's Days Out sections
