Birmingham Special: From Middle Earth to high drama - a grand day out

It's not only the city centre that is worth a visit. Simon Calder goes out of town

China in your hands

In the Potteries, you can find the ceramic life story of Spode, Royal Doulton or Wedgwood in Stoke, Burslem or Wedgwood respectively. Each manufacturer has a visitor centre devoted to its heritage, and all open daily (check www.stoke.gov.uk/tourism). At Royal Doulton and Spode, you can take a factory tour on certain days of the week.

Writers' blocks

Tired of life? In Lichfield, Dr Samuel Johnson's birthplace in Breadmarket Street has been turned into a fascinating museum of the life of this writer and wit (01543 264 972; www.lichfield.gov.uk).

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien grew up in Sarehole, Moseley, King's Heath and Ladywood and found inspiration for Middle Earth from his surroundings. Birmingham City Council has produced a free leaflet about the Midlands life of the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, which points the visitors to the places and the people who provided inspiration for Tolkien. Call the visitor information centre on 0121 643 2514).

Normans, Tudors, Students

Half the history of England – along with her finest ruined castle – lies just south of Warwick University. The roughest edges of the shattered sandstone towers of Kenilworth Castle have been smoothed by time to a gaunt serenity. "The massive ruins of the castle," wrote Sir Walter Scott in his novel Kenilworth, "only serve to show what their splendour once was, and to impress upon the musing visitor the transitory value of human possessions" – which should please philosophy students. Kenilworth Castle is an English Heritage property, opening daily at 10am and closing at 4pm from November to March, 5pm in October and 6pm from April to September; call 01926 852 078 for more details.

Talking 'bout a revolution

These days, Ironbridge Gorge is a serene location that is hard to equate with sparking the Industrial Revolution – the Iron Bridge itself looks quaint rather than innovative. But the furnaces scattered around the area, just south of Telford, helped to forge Britain's place as the first industrialised nation and earned one of the country's first entries on Unesco's list of World Heritage Sites. Find out more at www.ironbridge.ws or call 0800 590 258 for a Visitor Guide.

All change in Walsall

The New Art Gallery Walsall, as the Black Country's leading art museum is officially known, has transformed this town north of Birmingham. The contents comprise an easy romp through European art, thanks to the Garman Ryan collection, but most visitors' attention is seized by the dramatic structure that houses it – and the rooftop restaurant. For further information, telephone 01922 654 400 or visit the website www.artatwalsall.org.uk.

Make a drama out of a weekend

Go for the complete works behind the scenes in Shakespeare's home town. The Royal Shakespeare Company (01789 403 405; www.rsc.org.uk) organises backstage tours of the Stratford-upon-Avon theatre on most days, subject to the rehearsal schedule. Admission is £4 for adults, £3 for under-19s and over 60s, with a £12 family ticket on Sundays.