Birmingham Nature Centre
Pershore Road Birmingham B5 7RL
Just two miles from Birmingham city centre, this small animal and nature conservancy is a great family day out. Nestled alongside the serene green of Cannon Hill Park, it's home to a mix of domestic and more exotic wildlife, with a selection of sheep, goats, owls and otters alongside enclosures that are home to tarantulas and lynxes. However, visitors will have to rely on the reptile house and insectarium - where snakes and crepuscular creatures abound - for any sort of spine chills. Weather permitting, the well-placed picnic areas ensure visitors can rest their feet and have a bite to eat, while the kids' playground will see to it that children stay entertained. Those who forget to bring the packed lunches can find a selection of fairly-priced hot and cold foods in the on-site café.
