Hidden UK attractions set to open for just one week – here’s how to find them

A NUMBER of attractions usually closed to the public are opening for just one week.

Birmingham Culture Week has already started, running for 10 days between September 6-15.

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The annual event includes free or cheap attractions, many of which are in locations rarely opened to the public.

The website states: “Local places and spaces are opening their doors to inspire and surprise you with the city’s rich history and heritage.

“There are hundreds of different things to choose from: cemeteries, canal tours, historic buildings, factories, museums, religious buildings including mosques, churches and cathedrals and outdoor heritage tours in local parks, neighbourhoods and conservation areas.”

One of the huge major attractions you can visit is The Oratory Church, dubbed “Birmingham‘s Little Rome”.

Inside are huge domed mosaics that originated in Italy.

And you can book free tours of the Grade II listed building until the end of the week.

You can also go on a tour of The Alexandra theatre, which dates back 123.

Tickets aren’t free, as they cost £10, but it comes with a free drink at the piano bar after the tour.

Tours include a Sherlock Holmes inspired tour, with the author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle having lived in the city, which cost £7.

Or you can go on a Woman’s History Tour, costing £9 and exploring the best of Brum woman from the 1880s.

There is a Birmingham Bingo by Night tour and a nighttime kayak tour, if you fancy an evening activity too.

Lots of them are already fully booked, including Austin Village tours, photography tours and tickets to Aston Hall.

See the full list of events and attractions here.

The Sun’s Hope Brotherton has revealed why Birmingham should be on your travel list.

The best Birmingham attractions, according to a local

The Sun’s Travel Writer Hope Brotherton has revealed her top places to hit up when in Birmingham.

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

One of my favourite haunts is the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, part of which recently reopened to the public following a huge renovation.

Head to the museum to get your fill of Pre-Raphaelite Art.

Birmingham Back to Backs

Across the city centre is Birmingham Back to Backs, a tiny brick courtyard hidden behind the Hippodrome and has recently been named the UK’s best hidden gem attraction.

The houses, which were largely used by working class families, easily transport visitors back to the 1930s.

From the faux wallpaper to the tins of custard, the devil certainly is in the detail.

Cadbury World

Earlier this year, the Bournville attraction welcomed its first new ride in 27 years – the Cadbury Chocolate Quest.

My family and I couldn’t stop laughing as we fired our laser guns at interactive screens.

Our endeavours to shoot at ingredients were justly rewarded when we were presented with a bar of dairy milk as we disembarked.

She previously said: “Home to the world’s biggest Primark and the Bullring, England‘s Second city is already a famous shopping destination in its own right.

“In recent years, it rose to fame thanks to the internationally-acclaimed TV show Peaky Blinders, which is set in the city.

“It even has more canals than Venice, and a huge number of curry houses in the Balti triangle.”

Here’s another hidden gem in Birmingham to visit.

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And one of the UK’s biggest free museums has opened a new £25million attraction.

Otherwise here is the UK’s cheapest country for a staycation.

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