Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Fifteen acres of gardens in leafy Edgbaston, laid out in 1832, with four glasshouses, from tropical rainforest and subtropical to Mediterranean and arid, plus rose gardens, a rock garden, a Japanese garden and a children's playground. There are also tropical birds in aviaries.

It's a peaceful escape from England's second city, about 2 miles from the city centre. Birmingham is friendly, buzzing and colourful, with the canal-side area of Brindleyplace, the Bullring shopping centre and the excellent Museum and Art Gallery.