Touchwoods 'summer of sport'!

Touchwood Solihull is gearing up for a thrilling ‘Summer of Sport’! From June 14th to August 11th, the shopping center will host live screenings of major sporting events at its Theatre Square.

The action-packed line-up begins with the highly anticipated European Championships on June 14th, where England’s team aims for their first major tournament victory since 1966. Fans can enjoy a family-friendly fan zone for each match, and once the group stages are over, all England games will be accessible through an online ticketing system.

But that’s not all! From July 1st to 14th, Touchwood will serve up the enchanting Wimbledon Championships tennis tournament. Keep an eye out for Britain’s Andy Murray, who might bring the curtain down on an inspiring career during these two weeks.

And to top it off, from July 26th to August 11th, Touchwood will showcase the 2024 Paris Olympics. Get ready for plenty of gold medal moments!

While you’re there, take advantage of Touchwood’s diverse mix of restaurants and bars in the Square. Lucy Burnett, Marketing Manager at Touchwood, says, “Our ‘Summer of Sport’ is the perfect destination for families to come together and watch the action unfold in the sun. By live screening the events, we hope to create an electric atmosphere at Touchwood from June through to August.

For more information on Touchwood’s upcoming events Click Here

 Get ready for a sensational summer at the Gardens!

As the sun cranks up the heat, our Gardens are buzzing with music, theatre, and thrilling adventures.

1. Summer Soul Picnic: Picture balmy evenings surrounded by young talent, their melodies weaving through the green spaces.
2. Melon Ground Sessions: Established musicians take the stage, filling the air with soulful tunes.
3. Musical Meanders: As the sun sets, immerse yourself in adventurous soundscapes. Let the music carry you away!

But that’s not all!

Summer of Adventure kicks off with a bang on July 28th: We’re reimagining Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic book, The Secret Garden, in an enchanting Open Air Theatre experience.

Calling all explorers—both young and young at heart! Our Gardens are bursting with fun, games, and adventure activities. Challenge your mind and body, uncover nature’s secrets, and dive into pre-bookable workshops like Nature Clay and Play, Den Building, Pond Dipping, and Forest School.

Explore our events calendar here: Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens

Discover the Frog Lane Country Trail!

Spinners Solihull: A Fun-Filled Gaming Venue at Touchwood

Get ready for an electrifying experience at Spinners, the brand-new competitive gaming venue opening this summer at Touchwood Solihull! Located next to Cineworld on Upper Jubilee Walk, Spinners invites you to enjoy fun and games with friends and family. Here’s what you need to know:

• Games Galore: Spinners offers a variety of unique games, including Electric Clay Shooting (indoors!), Duckpin Bowling, Crazy Golf, and Electric Darts.
• Tasty Treats: While you play, indulge in mouthwatering food like loaded fries, artisan pizzas, and sweet pizza desserts. Wash it down with shake-to-order cocktails, including classics like the Strawberry Daiquiri and Espresso Martini.
• Family-Friendly Hours: Spinners welcomes under 18s before 6pm, and evenings are adults-only for a relaxed atmosphere.
• Book Your Visit: To experience Spinners, visit their website and book your spot.
• Success Story: Spinners has seen tremendous success with its first two openings, and now Solihull gets to join the fun!

So whether you’re a clay shooting enthusiast or crazy about golf, Spinners has something for everyone. Don’t miss out on this exciting addition to Solihull’s leisure scene!

For more information, visit Touchwood’s website. Spinners is also hiring – send your CV to solihull@spinnersuk.com!

Outdoor theatre in Brueton Park

Gather up your friends and family, pack a picnic, and enjoy outdoor theatre performed in Solihull’s scenic Brueton Park. Choose from four fantastic shows including:

1. The Gondoliers (1 August),
2. Angelica Sprocket’s Pockets (10 August),
3. Julius Caesar (13 August)
4. The Importance of Being Earnest (22 August).

View the full programme and find out more here - Fresh Air Theatre Festival 

Solihull Cultural brings 40 FREE events to Solihull parks

‘Fresh Air Theatre’ is a brand new festival from Solihull Culture, bringing more than 40 free events to parks across Solihull this summer. Supported by the Commonwealth Games Legacy Fund, an exciting programme will feature a wide range of exciting performances from world class theatre, dance, music and physical theatre companies. Highlights include:

• Creators of world class dance-circus productions, Motion house using dynamic parkour and rhythmic beats to perform ‘HENGE’ in Shirley Park on 28 July.
• Highly Sprung’s ‘Cast Away’, featuring a unique gyroscopic flying machine where performers dive, twist, and float over 26 feet in the air, on 17 August (Tudor Grange Park) and 18 August (Lavender Hall Park).
• ‘Out of the Deep Blue’ by Autin Dance Theatre. A beautiful spectacle telling the magical story of Eko, a sea giant who rises from the deep, featuring a 13-foot tall puppet and including a promenade and theatre show. On 28 August in Elmdon Park.

View the full programme and find out more here - Fresh Air Theatre Festival 

Jet2.com and Jet2holidays Bring Spanish Sunshine to Birmingham!

Get ready for sun-soaked adventures! Jet2.com and Jet2holidays have exciting news: Jerez Airport is now on sale for Summer 25, along with holidays to the stunning Costa de la Luz. Here’s what you need to know:

• Exclusive Routes: Jerez is an exclusive route from Birmingham Airport. Award-winning flights and holidays are available, with weekly Friday services operating from 2nd May to 31st October 2025.
• Costa de la Luz Delights: From Jerez Airport, explore the Costa de la Luz region and its resorts like Cadiz, Novo Sancti Petri, and Zahara de los Atunes. Choose from a range of 3 to 5-star hotels for your perfect getaway.
• Coast of Light: The Costa de la Luz, known for its sandy beaches, authentic culture, and Andalusian history, is a sun-kissed paradise. Whether you’re into golf or bustling markets, it’s an ideal holiday spot.
• Faro Connection: You can also access four different resorts via Faro Airport. Just a short drive across the Portuguese border, choose from hotels in Punta Umbria, Isla Canela, Isla Cristina, and El Rompido.
• Booking Options: Book a flight-only with Jet2.com or a package holiday with Jet2holidays. Both brands were named Travel Brand of the Year, so you’re in good hands!

For more info and bookings, visit Jet2.com or Jet2holidays. Independent travel agents can explore at trade.jet2holidays.com. 

Heighten your senses at Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience

Head to the NEC Birmingham this summer for Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience and allow your senses to come to life. You’ll see iconic pieces such as “Sunflowers” and “The Starry Night” in a way that you’ve never seen them before, expressed through impressive visuals and moving music. Watch as more than 300 of the post-Impressionist icon’s paintings tell the story of one of history’s most influential artists through cutting-edge technology.

This imaginative experience has made its way across from the United States and has already been seen by more than five million people! Following recent success in Liverpool, we are delighted to welcome this unique sensory exhibition to the NEC Birmingham this summer.

Opening on the 1st August until the 1st September at the NEC Birmingham, secure your tickets whilst you still can!

Book now

Titanic Exhibition arrives at the NEC Birmingham

Experience the story of the Titanic as you’ve never before at the NEC Birmingham this summer. Trace its journey from the Harland and Wolff Shipyard in Belfast, through its fateful voyage and sinking, to its rediscovery at the bottom of the Atlantic and the legacy it leaves today.

Using remarkable footage of the wreckage, along with real objects and interesting artefacts recovered from the seabed, the exhibition offers a rare chance to discover more about the crew, engineers and passengers that set sail on the ship that was known as the ‘unsinkable’.

Visitors will be able to see items and read stories about first, second and third class passengers from both ships, as well as discovering items such as silverware and chinaware, a photographic collection from on-board passenger and survivor, Father Browne, plus many more of the Titanic’s interior and exterior artefacts that have been recovered from the wreckage site.

Due to overwhelming demand, more tickets are now available on a number of dates between 27 July – 25 August.

Book now 

Solihull on the Move summer programme

This summer’s programme showcases a wide variety of physical activity sessions based in community spaces, with inclusive opportunities for all ages and abilities. The programme is free to attend and includes:

• Family Olympic Park sessions - Fun, free, inclusive summer holiday activities for children and young people aged 6–16 or young adults up to 25 with additional needs.
• Park Active - A range of inclusive activity sessions in local parks for all ages, such as table tennis, multi-sports, fun games, walking sports, gentle exercise and more.
• Cycling - Beginner cycling activities, including adult learn to ride, ‘Get Pedalling’ for children & families and short family-friendly guided bike rides, with bikes/helmets available to borrow.
• Swim Festivals and Bike Festivals - Event dates and locations will be coming soon.

For dates, times, locations and how to access all these activities please visit Solihull on the move.

Book Your Christmas Party at the Crowne Plaza Solihull This Summer!

You are probably more focused on securing your spot by the pool than securing your spot at one of our festive events but hear us out. Booking your Christmas party during the summer has many advantages, including being able to secure your preferred date and starting your planning in the summer ensures that everything will be perfect by the time December rolls around.

Whether you’re searching for Christmas cocktails, festive feasts or an excuse to dance into Christmas and the New Year, we’ve got exactly what you need for a truly magical celebration. Regardless of your party's size, at the Crowne Plaza Solihull, we’ve got the perfect event for you!

Click the link for more information and to book click - Lets to Christmas!

Roll on Summer at Resorts World!

Get ready for a sensational summer filled with excitement and adventure right here at Resorts World! Whether the sun is shining or the rain is falling, we’ve got something special in store for you.

Calling All Jazz Lovers! We’re thrilled to bring the Birmingham Jazz Festival to Solihull this July, celebrating 40 years of incredible jazz and blues. Join us for FREE live music across two toe-tapping weekends: Friday, July 19th to Sunday, July 21st, and Friday, July 26th to Sunday, July 28th. Our venue will come alive with a variety of jazz acts, from slow jazz to swing, smooth tunes, and blues. Come along, soak up the good vibes, and revel in the fantastic music! Check out the live performances schedule Here.

Festival Fever at The World Bar On Saturday, July 27th, join us at The World Bar for that authentic festival feeling. No muddy fields or portable toilets—just main stage bangers, smash hits, and singalongs! Our live DJ will spin festival classics from The Chemical Brothers to The Prodigy, Oasis, and The Arctic Monkeys. The party kicks off from 12 PM to 5 PM, and your £10 entry includes a welcome drink. Stay tuned for more details Here.

Free Kids Summer Events Keep your eyes peeled for exciting kids’ events this summer at Resorts World. From Olympics-themed days to fun-filled activities, there’s something for every little adventurer. House of Mash will be hosting events on July 24th/25th, and Bonkas takes over on July 30th/31st and August 6th/7th. We can’t wait to welcome you and your family this summer! Learn more Here.

Feel the summer vibes and make the most of every moment at Resorts World! 

Join Solihull Summer Fest for an unforgettable weekend of music, food, and fun!

Celebrating our 8th year! The Ultimate Feel Good Festival returns to Tudor Grange Park in Solihull on 20 – 21 JULY 2024.

Highlights include:

• Top live performances: From renowned artists of all genres including; Ronan Keating, Scouting for girls and the Wurzels.
• Family-friendly activities: From face painting to inflatable slides, there’s something for everyone.
• Vibrant festival atmosphere: Immerse yourself in the energy of live music, delicious food stalls, and friendly crowds.

Whether you’re a music enthusiast, a foodie, or simply looking for a great time, this festival has it all. Book tickets here 

Josper Charcoal Oven Unveiled at The Manor Hotel

The Marco Pierre White Steakhouse, Bar & Grill, located at the Manor Hotel in Meriden, recently hosted an exclusive event to introduce its new Josper Charcoal Oven. Guests savoured a taster menu featuring starters, steaks, and desserts, all prepared using this innovative oven. Live music, including saxophonist and singer performances, added to the vibrant atmosphere. Paula Moran, Sales Director, expressed delight at the oven’s success.

Enhanced Flavors The Josper Oven elevates grass-fed, 28-day aged beef dishes, infusing them with distinct and smoky flavors. Head Chef Dave Wilson shared, “Our new PIRA 120 LUX Charcoal Oven is perfect for cooking steaks in a traditional style while adding sensational flavors.”

Signature Dishes The menu includes Fillet Steak with Garlic King Prawns, Ribeye, Sirloin, and Porterhouse T-Bone – all charcoal-cooked to perfection.

Join Us! We invite both loyal patrons and new guests to experience the wonderful flavours of our charcoal-cooked steak dishes. Marco Pierre White Steakhouse, Bar & Grill’s charcoal-enhanced menu can now be tasted every Friday and Saturday at the Manor Hotel.

Visit Marco Pierre White Meriden or call 01676 522 735 for more information.

New Striders and Strollers Evening Walks at Malvern and Brueton Park

When: Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:15 pm.

Meet: Gather 10 minutes before the walk begins at Malvern Park car park, New Road, B91 3DL.

Parking: Enjoy free parking starting at 6:00 pm.

Dates: Mark your calendar for these upcoming dates: July 16th and 30th, August 13th and 27th, and September 10th and 24th.

Booking: Reserve your spot by contacting 0121 704 8207 or emailing solihullactive@solihull.gov.uk.

For more information, visit Solihull On The Move. Lace up your walking shoes and explore the beauty of Malvern and Brueton Park!

Introducing bp pulse LIVE: Birmingham’s Electrifying Venue!

Mark Your Calendar: On September 1st, 2024, Birmingham’s iconic Resorts World Arena will transform into bp pulse LIVE! This electrifying change comes courtesy of a ground breaking sponsorship agreement between the NEC Group and bp pulse, a trailblazer in rapid and ultra-fast electric vehicle (EV) charging networks across the UK.

Why the Buzz?

• Renowned Venue: With a capacity of 15,600, bp pulse LIVE has long been Birmingham’s hottest live event destination. Now, it’s about to get even hotter!
• EV Enthusiast’s Haven: bp pulse aims to make this arena a top choice for EV drivers attending events. How? Enter the bp pulse Gigahub™—one of the UK’s largest public EV charging hubs, boasting 180 charging bays. Conveniently located nearby, concert-goers can recharge their EVs before or during the show.

A Perfect Harmony: Events and Transport

• This venue sponsorship marks a significant moment in the collaboration between the events and transport sectors. While bp pulse supports drivers in their EV transition, the NEC Group is all about providing top-notch visitor experiences.

bp pulse’s Melodic Journey

• This isn’t bp pulse’s first dance in the live music industry. They’re already sponsoring community music charity Music Workshop and rocking the title sponsorship of CarFest—the UK’s largest family fundraising festival founded by none other than Chris Evans.

Resorts World Birmingham Cheers On

• Vince Williams, marketing director for Resorts World Birmingham, raises a glass: “As the Arena takes on a new headline partner in bp pulse LIVE, we wish them every success. Let the music play, and let’s keep the rhythm going!”

For more information, visit bp pulse LIVE.

Boost your business – and be part of a greener West Midlands: Green Tourism membership offer!

Regional visitor economy businesses now qualify for fully funded Green Tourism membership!

Visitor economy business in the West Midlands Destination Development Partnership are eligible for an unmissable offer: you can get one year of fully funded membership of Green Tourism (or Green Meetings) along with 50% and 25% discounts in the second and third years respectively. This includes:

• user-friendly online assessment and review framework to review your sustainability standards and identify operational efficiencies.
• certification to evidence your sustainability credentials to customers and buyers.
• ongoing sustainability and marketing support
• BONUS: the first five businesses to submit for assessment get a free advertorial and social media promotion.

Apply now at: West Midlands - Green Tourism (green-tourism.com)