• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Leamington Spa
• Category: Sightseeing and Attractions

Leamington Spa

whatjillthinks said
Worth a visit
The Pump Rooms are located at the foot of the Parade opposite the lovely Jephson Gardens. The recently refurbished building houses an information centre, a large library, a small museum and a lovely cafe - which served snacks, home-cooked lunches and teas in very pleasant surroundings. There is also a function room which may be hired and is often used to host various events. Events for children often run during the school holidays. This is a pleasant place to visit while in Leamington, and is a useful lunch stop.

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Oxford
• Category: Arts and Culture

Oxford OX1 3PP
01865 270927

whatjillthinks said
Pitt Rivers - ideal for ghoulish boys
A colleague from work introduced me to this hidden gem of a museum, tucked away behind the Natural History Museum in Oxford. It features an amazing collection of objects from all over the world that will entrall any children. My boys were very taken with the shrunken heads and other such ghastly objects. The museum is closed temporarily and is expected to re-open in spring 2009, but it's possible to do a 'virtual' tour if you visit the website.
This does make a good - free - day out with children - the natural history museum is well worth visiting alone - not just for what's on display, but because it's such a wonderful building. And when Pitt Rivers re-opens it will be easy to keep children interested for several hours.

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Birmingham
• Category: Events and Entertainment

Birmingham B5 4TB
0870 730 1234

whatjillthinks said
Old-fashioned theatre - great shows
I too love the Hippodrome. It's an old-fashioned style of theatre that has been thoroughly updated to meet modern needs. The auditorium is still the same (to me anyway) as it was when I saw Cinderella there over 40 years ago! It is air-conditioned which means that it doesn't get overpoweringly stuffy as with many older theatres, but it can be a little chilly sometimes.
Attached to the theatre is a very good restaurant which is open for pre-theatre dinners. A la carte and also a good value set menu is on offer (2 or 3 courses). Your table is reserved for you throughout the evening so that you can take your dessert or coffee back at your table - better than the scrum for ice-creams!
Parking available nearby.

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Birmingham
• Category: Events and Entertainment

Birmingham B1 2EP
0121 236 4455

whatjillthinks said
Top class theatre
This is an excellent theatre with a modern, comfortable auditorium with good-sized top quality seats. My most recent visit was to see the new production of Cabaret - starring Samantha Barks (a nearly Nancy) as Sally Bowles, and Wayne Sleep as a suitably debauched 'MC'. It was a splendid production and typical of the high quality shows that the Rep puts on. There is also an excellent restaurant - the wineREPublic, attached to the theatre which does an excellent low-priced lunch. For less than a tenner, we enjoyed a superb main course ( fish, chips and mushy peas as it happens), a glass of house wine and a coffee. I'd recommend the restaurant if you're visiting the theatre - or even if you aren't - the food was so good, freshly cooked, well-presented and promptly served.

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Stratford Upon Avon
• Category: Restaurants

Stratford Upon Avon CV37 6JF

whatjillthinks said
Good for people watching?
Now I enjoy visiting Caffe Uno because I do like the pizzas - and it's possible to have a reasonably priced lunch if you go for their special menu. It can get very busy - particularly during the summer tourist season, when the service can be a little slow, but generally I feel the service is fairly prompt. There are plenty of tables where a singleton can enjoy lunch without feeling like billy no-mates. And thus allow the sport of people watching to while away the time. A cosy atmosphere - without being too noisy. A regular choice when i want pizza for lunch.

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Stratford Upon Avon
• Category: Restaurants

Stratford Upon Avon CV37 6EY
01789 261116

whatjillthinks said
Excellent lunch choice
Bensons is very very nice, particularly for lunch stop. They do all sorts here - champagne breakfasts, wonderful sandwiches, but my favourite for a light lunch is the eggs benedict. Mmmm! This is a lovely cafe / restaurant, which prides itself on good food, beautifully presented while reasonably priced. The staff are friendly and helpful. A lovely place for a light lunch - or more! There are plenty of cafes and tea rooms in Stratford which leave a lot to be desired - but this is very definitely not one of them. This is a regular for me, whenever I'm in Stratford.

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Warwick
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

Warwick CV34 4AX

whatjillthinks said
Home-cooking - a gem!
This is a lovely homely place to go for a home-cooked lunch served by lovely people at very reasonable prices. It's in Warwick town centre but a bit out of the way in that it's on the main road through Warwick towards the motorway just opposite the Lord Leycester. Well worth seeking out, rather than settling for one of the many coffee shops in and around the market square. The menu changes every day as the food is all cooked on the premises, and they cater very well for vegetarians ... try the nut roast. Good old-fashioned puds. Varied clientele - young and old alike. A gem

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Leamington Spa
• Category: Restaurants

Leamington Spa CV32 4AF
01926 886866

whatjillthinks said
Best pizza around
Pizza Express food is great - if you like pizzas - particularly ones which depart from the 'standard'range of pizzas generally on offer in similar restaurants. Choose from a variety of different pizza bases and styles - and look out for the regular new additions. They also do a limited pasta range and a variety of great salads. Overall a good menu (including starters, side dishes and desserts) but predominantly pizza....hence the name! Puds are to die for. My favourite is the Caffe Reale - 'Baby figs in a cinnamon and white wine spiced syrup with a dollop of mascarpone and served with a standard coffee of your choice' - a tiny bit of sweetness to finish off with plus a coffee.
The location is good - at the bottom of the Parade, and the restaurant is small enough to have a cosy feel about it.

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Banbury
• Category: Restaurants

Banbury OX16 5ET
01295 278578

whatjillthinks said
Good food - but a bit of a barn
Pizza Express food is great - if you like pizzas - particularly ones which depart from the 'standard'range of pizzas generally on offer in similar restaurants. Choose from a variety of different pizza bases and styles - and look out for the regular new additions. They also do a limited pasta range and a variety of great salads. Overall a good menu (including starters, side dishes and desserts) but predominantly pizza....hence the name! Puds are to die for. My favourite is the Caffe Reale - 'Baby figs in a cinnamon and white wine spiced syrup with a dollop of mascarpone and served with a standard coffee of your choice' - a tiny bit of sweetness to finish off with plus a coffee.
I find the Banbury restaurant - in a former bank building - a little bit clinical and echoey - not my favourite branch, But it's well-located in Banbury town centre and consequently very popular.

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Southam
• Category: Food and Drink

Southam CV47 0HF
01926 817847

whatjillthinks said
Classic Indian takeaway
It may be one of several Indian takeaways in the area but it is a good one. Ring up to place your order and by the time you're there - it's ready for you. Swift service from pleasant staff. A fairly standard Indian menu but I can't fault it. Try my regular - Chicken Sagwala with a Mixed Veg curry and pilau rice. Good sized portions - in fact there's often enough left over for the next day! Starters and breads are good too.
Located in the centre of Southam, there is parking right outside.
A firm favourite for my Friday night.