Something to declare: Birmingham Special

The column that gives the local picture

Destinations of the week: Soho House and Blakesley Hall

The 18th-century Lunar Society met each month at Soho House in Handsworth, Birmingham (0121 554 9122) at full moon, so they could make their way home by moonlight. In the 21st century, the Metro takes you there instead. At the opulent home of the industrialist Matthew Boulton, learn about the history of the steam engine. An exhibition called "Bright Sparks" includes an 18th-century electricity generator and runs until 1 September.

Soho House opens 10am-5pm from Tuesday to Saturday, noon-5pm on Sundays, and 10am-5pm on Bank Holiday Mondays only; admission is £2.50 for adults, £2 for children and £6.50 for two adults and up to three children.

A yeoman farmhouse might not be what you expect to find in Birmingham, but the 16th-century Blakesley Hall in Yardley (0121 464 2193) has survived in good shape and re-opened this month after restoration and improvement. Open 1pm-4pm from Tuesday to Friday, noon-4pm at weekends, and 1pm-4pm on Bank Holiday Mondays only; admission free.

The website for both properties is www.bmag.org.uk

Bargain of the week: a day on the move

A Daysaver costs £2.50 and entitles you to travel on all Travel West Midlands buses. An even better deal: £4 buys the same deal for up to four people. Just ask the driver of the first bus for a Daysaver or a Daysaver4.

One step up is the Daytripper card from Centro, which also allows travel on Metro tram services and all trains within the county of West Midlands. One person pays £4, while a family of up to four pays £6.30. One catch: if you want to travel before 9.30am from Monday to Friday, you will need a Centrocard instead, which costs £5.

For all public transport information, call Traveline on 0870 608 2 608 or visit www.traveline.org.uk).

Warning of the week: interruptions to normal service

A stretch of the West Coast Main Line between London Euston and Birmingham is to be closed at weekends in the summer and autumn. Shuttle buses will run frequently to replace trains, but journey times are likely to be extended by an hour. Travellers from the London area may find it quicker and easier to travel on Chiltern Railways from London Marylebone or on Virgin cross-country services from London Paddington, Clapham Junction or Kensington Olympia. Details of schedules and fares from 08457 48 49 50.

The Waterhall, part of Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, closes for a rehang on 5 June; it reopens on 19 July.