• Added: 4th of September 2008
• Area: Wolverhampton
• Category: Shops and Amenities

Wolverhampton WV1 3NP

Greenfingers said
Great Expectations
In the centre of Wolverhampton, just across the road from Beatties Department Store, this shop is a treasure trove for gift hunters. They sell a huge variety of really tasteful, beautiful things ranging from excellent greetings cards, beautiful wrapping paper and boxes to unusual pieces of furniture. The place is stuffed full of really pretty and unusual things - jewellery, fairy things, mirrors, paintings from small items to large. If you visit you will spend ages looking around. It also smells nice as they sell candles and bath stuff as well. There is something to suit all budgets. Go and have a look.

• Added: 4th of September 2008
• Area: Wolverhampton
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

Wolverhampton

Greenfingers said
Spud U Like
Although it may sound an odd choice, if you want a decent cup of coffee, Spud U Like is a good place to go. This one is situated right in the centre of Wolverhampton in the Mander Centre on the ground floor. The plus side is that its right next to a lovely flower stall so you can look at the flowers while you eat and drink. As the name suggests you get jacket potatoes,which are a good size, and a choice of fillings for around £3 which is not bad value. It's also a healthy choice. They sell hot and cold drinks and their coffee really is very decent. The place is lovely and clean and the service is very good. They give you a plastic tray, plastic cutlery even with salt and pepper. If you prefer just a snack, you can have a danish pastry and a coffee which is usually a special price. Good value!

• Added: 4th of September 2008
• Area: Tipton
• Category: Food and Drink

Tipton DY4 8EX

Greenfingers said
Really Good Food
The Balti King is a well established restaurant in Tipton which specialises in Indian food. The menu is extensive and the food has always been high quality when I have visited. Prices are very reasonable and the portions very generous - make room for the 'extras', the Naan bread is delicious and so is the raita. As well as the food, the atmosphere is always friendly with the staff cheerful and ready to help. The place is very clean with good decor. The Balti King appears to have regular clientele and is always fairly busy. As well as eat in, they offer a takeaway service. If you like Indian food, you'll like the Balti King.

• Added: 4th of September 2008
• Area: Wolverhampton
• Category: Sightseeing and Attractions

Wolverhampton DY7

Greenfingers said
Halfpenny Green Vineyards
Halfpenny Green Vineyards is near Bobbington Wolverhampton, and Dudley off the B4176, locally known as the 'Rabbit Run'. It started off in the mid Eighties and has now developed into an interesting and lovely place to spend a few hours. You can take a tour around the vineyards and hear about the varieties they grow. They are set in lovely countryside and a lot of work has been done. Obviously, there is now a shop where you can buy wine(not the cheapest price for wine) but there is also a nice conservatory tea room where we had a lovely cream tea. There is a good choice of hot and cold food on the menu - jacket potatoes, salads, lasagne are just a sample. If you like crafts, the Craft Centre is very interesting where you can browse the gift shops for jewellery, herbs, gemstones and papercrafts. It was a really nice, little bit different place to visit and I will go again, hopefully soon.

• Added: 4th of September 2008
• Area: Wolverhampton
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Wolverhampton WV6 7EH

Greenfingers said

The Fox Inn is an extremely pleasant country pub which is a favourite with locals. Conveniently on the main Bridgnorth Road, it is a pub for a long leisurely lunch where you can sit in the conservatory area or if the weather permits, sit outside and take advantage of the wonderful countryside. Its not the cheapest pub food, but it has quality and offers something a bit different. We had a wonderful mozzarella, basil and tomato salad. It has undergone modernisation in the past but retains a lot of character with small areas leading off from the bar. Staff all seem very helpful. Very tasteful and lovely surroundings.

• Added: 4th of September 2008
• Area: Dudley
• Category: Shops and Amenities

Dudley DY3

Greenfingers said
Heavenly Experience!
In the Presence of Angels is a shop specialising in Holistic and Alternative Therapies. Several different therapists use the premises to offer treatments - reflexology, Indian Head Massage(which I had and can recommend),aromatherapy massage, tarot, crystals to name but a few. Although the premises are small, the treatment rooms are up a winding narrow staircase above the shop. It is very peaceful with candles and music and you would not think you were in the middle of Sedgley Bull Ring. The treatments are reasonably priced and there is an extensive range to choose from. My Therapist was incredibly calm and very friendly. The shop itself sells various 'knick knacks' - angels, candles, oils, books and jewellery and is quite a fascinating little place where you can pick up the odd gift or two. If only it were bigger!

• Added: 4th of September 2008
• Area: Dudley
• Category: Sightseeing and Attractions

Dudley DY1 4SQ

Greenfingers said
Black Country Living Museum
The Black Country Museum as its name suggests gives visitors a taste of what life was like in the Black Country in years gone by. The museum has been developed by moving buildings brick by brick - cottages, chapel, swimming baths, public house etc. and is situated right on the canalside which played such an important part in the daily lives of black country people. There's a lot to do and see here - an old fashioned funfair, go underground into a coal mine, buy things from the traditional shops and go into the cottages to see how they lived. There's a school, a working pub(the Bottle and Glass), ironworks, chainmaking shop and loads more. Take a trolley ride to the museum from the ticket hall and see the museum guides dressed in costume who make it come alive. There are lots of places to eat and drink but if you want the really tasty fish and chips you will probably have to queue a long time even before the shop is open!Our visit was really interesting but could be a bit pricey with the admission and what we spent inside. As most of it is outside, hope that the weather is dry when you visit.

• Added: 4th of September 2008
• Area: Dudley
• Category: Sightseeing and Attractions

Dudley DY3 3YE

Greenfingers said
Brockswood Animal Sanctuary/Nature Centre
This place was formerly known as Critters and also Cotwall End Nature Centre. It is a few minutes walk from Sedgley and also has car parking. It is a lovely place in a peaceful setting to spend a few hours with the kids. There's a cafe for refreshments as well as picnic benches. It is now a sanctuary for animals as well as a children's farm attraction. You can see different types of animals - Welsh ponies, emus, rabbits, goats, guinea pigs,birds and the pot-bellied pig who has been there for as long as I can remember. The admission prices are very reasonable and kids under 3 are free. Its a great place for them to see animals and have a run round in the fresh air. Well worth a visit if you want simplicity with no frills.

• Added: 4th of September 2008
• Area: Birmingham
• Category: Arts and Culture

Birmingham B4 7XG

Greenfingers said
Think Tank - Don't miss it!
The Think Tank otherwise Birmingham Science Museum is housed in the new Millenium Point building with part of Birmingham University. There is so much to do and see here that I don't know where to start. Kids and adults will love it. The museum is spread over 3 levels - the City, the Past and the Future(think that's right!). So much is interactive, buttons to press, gadgets to operate - I took a 'cool' 11 year old who loved it. Just a sample - you can 'perform' a hip replacement operation; programme a robot to play the drums with your tune; fly a space ship. So much fun but also very educational - medicine matters, the body, plants and pests to name a few. The bottom level has really old machinery, cars and planes - the majority all working. Staff are really helpful and enthusiastic. There's also a very good shop and plenty of places to get refreshments and lunch in the building. Better still, if you go by train and show your rail ticket, you get a good discount off admission prices. A visit not to be missed!!

• Added: 4th of September 2008
• Area: Wolverhampton
• Category: Events and Entertainment

Wolverhampton WV1 1DD
01902 429212

Greenfingers said
Always Enjoyable
The Grand Theatre is a splendid old building in the centre of Wolverhampton. It has been refurbished over the last few years but fortunately, they have still kept the character of the place. It now seats approximately 1200 people and there is more leg room as well as air conditioning. They always have a wide range of entertainment throughout the year from pantomime to Summer Repertory season and play host to touring companies who bring all their own props etc. I have seen many well known actors and celebrities perform there. The Theatre has excellent facilities with bars serving coffee and drinks(which you can preorder for the interval)at dress circle, Grand circle and stalls levels. The Box office staff are always friendly and polite and tickets can be ordered in advance. A delight to visit this theatre whether you are a keen theatre goer or just go for a change from the television!