April 2013
Get in touch with your cultural side at Birmingham's newest festival. Lolihull is an eight-day extravaganza of literature and comedy (6-13 April, visitsolihull.com).

January 2013
Don a risqué outfit and immerse yourself in the cult classic that is The Rocky Horror Show at the New Alexandra Theatre, from 28 January to 1 February (atgtickets.com).

April 2013
If the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ironbridge Gorge isn't enough to tempt you, then maybe the 10 museums and chance to see the wild River Severn, still spanned by the world's first iron bridge, will convince you to visit Ironbridge, the "birthplace of industry". There are also some very good speciality pork pies (ironbridge.org.uk).

January 2013
Edgbaston is home to some of Birmingham's leading attractions including the Barber Institute of Fine Arts and Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

December 2012
Warming glühwein, German beer, Christmas lights, hearty sausages and live entertainement bring the festive sprit to Victoria Square. The largest of its kind outside of Germany is also a good place to buy arts and crafts.