Hello Solihull 👋
We made it… it’s half-term, it’s the bank holiday weekend, and it is sunny!
It’s the kind of weather where “shall we get an ice cream?” becomes a perfectly reasonable plan at 11am.
So in today’s edition it’s very much your sunny half-term helper, a mix of family days out, local activities, creative workshops, ice cream chat and a few ideas for making the most of the week without spending the whole time wondering what to do next.
Whether you’re entertaining children, hunting for a free local activity, planning a bigger day out, or just looking for somewhere nice to wander with a coffee in hand, we’ve got you covered.
Let’s get into it.
— Max
Local Solihull News & Updates
Mell Square is getting a £20 million makeover, but what do you want to see there?
Big news landed this week. The West Midlands Mayor has confirmed a £20 million investment into Holbeche Place, the new name for the Mell Square site, with demolition due to start as soon as June.
The plan is ambitious. Over the next several years, the site will be transformed into a mixed-use neighbourhood with over 1,600 new homes, independent shops, restaurants, cafés and new public spaces. It's the biggest change to Solihull town centre in a generation.
But here's what we want to know. You live here. You know what Solihull is missing. So we're asking, what would you love to see at Holbeche Place when it's done?
A proper independent food market? A rooftop bar? More green space? A cinema? Better family facilities?
Hit reply and tell us. We'll share the best responses and who knows, maybe someone with influence is reading. 👀
A quick hello if you’re new here 👋
We’ve had a lovely wave of new subscribers join Solihull Spotlight recently, so if this is your first edition, welcome!
This is our little guide to the best of Solihull: useful local updates, family ideas, food finds, community stories, events, sport, arts and the good stuff happening nearby.
No doom-scrolling. No politics. No crime. Just a positive, helpful read for people who love where they live. And if you enjoy it, feel free to forward this edition to a friend or share your referral link at the bottom to earn rewards. It’s a small thing, but it really helps us out.
Thank you for being here!
✨ Solihull Community Spotlight ✨
Solihull Libraries — free and low-cost things to keep in your back pocket
Not every half-term plan needs to involve booking a big day out.
Solihull Libraries run events and activities for children and adults throughout the year, with many sessions free, although some do need booking in advance. A good one to bookmark for rainy-day plans, quieter mornings, or those “we need to get out but not spend £60” moments.
Karen from Monkspath
A little shout-out this week to Karen from Monkspath, who got in touch to say how much she loves having the park nearby. And honestly, you’re right!
On a warm week like this, our local parks really come into their own, whether it’s a quick walk, a picnic, a run around with the kids, a quiet coffee on a bench, or just ten minutes outside to reset.
It’s a lovely reminder that some of the best bits of Solihull aren’t big events or expensive days out. Sometimes it’s simply having a green space close to home and making the most of it. 🌳
Where to eat in Solihull this week:
Bottomless BBQ Events — Manor Hotel, Meriden
Good vibes, great food and endless pours in Meriden.
The Manor Hotel is hosting its Bottomless BBQ Events this summer, combining flame-grilled favourites, chilled drinks and a relaxed weekend atmosphere. Think friends, birthdays, bank holiday energy, or simply making the most of the warmer weather.
Bottomless drinks are served from 12pm to 2pm, followed by 2-for-1 drinks from 2pm to 4pm. Upcoming dates include Sunday 7 June and Sunday 14 June, with tickets priced at £45 per person.
Henley-in-Arden Ice Cream 🍦
Henley-in-Arden Ice Cream is one of those local treats that feels made for a warm half-term week. Proper ice cream, loads of flavours, and a nice excuse to head out towards Henley for a little wander, a post-lunch treat, or a “we need to get out of the house” family plan.
Are you a classic vanilla person? Mint choc chip? Honeycomb? Pistachio? Something wildly unnecessary with sauce, sprinkles and no regrets? Hit reply and tell us!
What’s on in Solihull
*A quick correction from our last edition: the Scouts activity at Touchwood we linked to was actually from February half-term, not May half-term. Sorry for the mix-up, and thank you to the reader who spotted it, we really appreciate the heads-up!
Family & Half Term
Tropical Tuesdays — The Core, Solihull
A colourful creative workshop for children aged 6+ at The Core. Tropical Tuesdays is part of the Art Club programme, with fun, hands-on making for kids who like getting stuck into something arty during the holidays. A nice town-centre option if you want a calmer half-term activity away from the bigger days out. £18 for 3 hours.
Forza Horizon 6: The Experience — British Motor Museum
A high-energy half-term pick for car fans, gamers and anyone who likes something a bit different. Forza Horizon 6: The Experience runs at the British Motor Museum from 24 to 31 May, with family activities themed around the new exhibition and the cars of Forza brought to life.
Family Fossil Trail — Market Hall Museum, Warwick
A free family trail with a prehistoric twist. Market Hall Museum is running its Family Fossil Trail from 23 to 30 May, inviting families to dive into Jurassic Warwickshire, hunt for fossils and spot ancient beasts around the museum. A good low-cost day out if your little ones love dinosaurs, fossils or anything slightly ancient and mysterious.
Dino Lab — Thinktank, Birmingham
A roar-some half-term idea for dinosaur fans. Dino Lab runs daily at Thinktank from Saturday 23 to Friday 29 May, with drop-in sessions in the Science Garden where children can travel back millions of years and get hands-on with prehistoric-themed activities. Included with admission. Tickets from £9.95 for kids and £18.95 for adults. family tickets available.
Giraffe Jamboree — West Midlands Safari Park
A big, colourful animal-themed day out for half-term. West Midlands Safari Park’s Giraffe Jamboree runs across selected May dates, including 23 to 31 May, with a new show, trails, competitions and the chance to learn more about the park’s giraffes — including calves Namara and Olive.
Dragon Kingdom — Hatton Adventure World
Dragons have landed at Hatton for half-term. Dragon Kingdom runs from 23 to 31 May, transforming Hatton Adventure World into a land of princesses, knights, fairytales and dragons, with baby dragons, knight and princess academies, live dragon shows and all the usual farmyard fun too. Tickets from £18.95.
Big Events Near Solihull
MAMMA MIA! — Birmingham Hippodrome
The world’s biggest feel-good musical is back in Birmingham for half-term week. MAMMA MIA! runs at Birmingham Hippodrome from Tuesday 26 to Saturday 30 May, so if you fancy ABBA, sunshine energy and a theatre trip, this is the big one.
UK Games Expo — NEC Birmingham
A massive one for gamers, families and board game fans. The UK Games Expo returns to the NEC from Friday 29 to Sunday 31 May, celebrating its 20th anniversary across Halls 1–5. Expect tabletop games, card games, RPGs, exhibitors, demos and a very busy NEC campus. Tickets from £14.
THE QUICK LOCAL CHECKLIST (so you don’t get caught out)
• Bin collections: https://digital.solihull.gov.uk/BinCollectionCalendar/
• Council news + updates: https://www.solihull.gov.uk/news
• Travel disruptions (West Midlands): https://disruptions.tfwm.org.uk/
Thanks for reading Solihull Spotlight 💙 let’s chat again on Thursday! Hit reply and tell me what you want more of next week: family, events, food, deals, walking routes, live music, sport, or hidden gems.
P.S. Want your business in front of local Solihull readers? Reply with SPONSOR and I’ll send over our options.
