A rainy local street scene with umbrellas, warm lights, and cosy indoor plans

Top Picks

Rainy Day Picks This Weekend

11–12 July Near Sketchley

Not every listing gets a golden ticket

We check the usual frankly silly number of local websites, then look for events that feel rainy-day friendly: cinemas, theatres, talks, workshops, galleries, concerts, cosy venues, and anything less likely to involve standing in a muddy field making brave weather noises.

Happening Saturday 11 July to Sunday 12 July.
Picked for Sketchley, not somewhere halfway across the county.
Only Local Gems and Curated venues make the cut, because standards are still a thing.
Listings with proper descriptions get bumped up the list. Three words and a shrug will not do.

Our 10 picks near Sketchley

community1

Life Groups

at Pathways Centre

Our Life Groups at HBC are typically made up of 6-12 people of all ages and backgrounds, who want to learn more about Jesus and how to follow Him in everyday life. We do this by studying the bible, asking questions, and discussing our experiences and knowledge together, and supporting each other through prayer. We often have a topic or book that we study and reflect upon. Sometimes all our groups follow the same topic or book and this shared "theme" is continued in the talk at our Sunday service.

1.1 milesSun 12 Jul07:00
Local gemSee the details→
Community
community2

Messy Breakfast @ The Pit Stop

at Saint Thomas Church

Once every month there is a Messy Breakfast on a Saturday morning. Messy Breakfast involves sharing breakfast together, sharing in a craft or activity to help people of all ages explore a Bible story or theme, and drawing our thoughts together with a short reflection and prayer. Come and meet other people in this growing and vibrant community. There's something for people of all ages, and it's a great opportunity for families to take part together. Check our website for the date of the next Messy Breakfast.

9 milesSat 11 Jul10:30
Local gemSee the details→
Community

Don't miss the next one

Local events near you, in your inbox

One email a week with the local stuff worth knowing — before it's already happened.

Sign me up

Free. Unsubscribe whenever you like.

Yoga Classes7

Yoga Classes

at Hindu Temple Society

The classes are suitable for people of all age and abilities. It focuses on asanas, pranayam, meditation, and laughter as ways of making life more mindful and joyous. To register your interest, contact us here .

8.9 milesSun 12 Jul10:00
CuratedSee the details→
Sports & Fitness
community8

Morning Explorers

at Sarehole Mill

Morning Explorers is an accessibility program for autistic people and those with similar disabilities. Running on the second Saturday of each month, it offers some accessible adaptions to the museum experience, plus an optional Autism Friendly planetarium show. On these mornings we offer early entrance into the museum at 9am, before the museum opens to the public at 10am. This allows you to explore the museum at a quieter time. To reduce the noise level, we will mute the majority of sound making exhibits until 11am. Ear defenders and sensory maps will be available on entrance, and access to quiet spaces may be arranged on request.This event is suitable for autistic adults, autistic children, and any friends, family, and personal assistants who would like to join.Pre-booking is essential for admission.Members - Free entry for Members but you will need to pre-book at ticket. (Planetarium shows £3). We also offer a range of accessible resources, including social stories, sensory maps and picture and symbol cards. See our Accessibility Information for more details.

21.1 milesSat 11 Jul10:00£3
Local gemSee the details→
Community
festivals-events9

JQ Festival: Explore Smith & Pepper

at Sarehole Mill

Enjoy a self guided visit to the offices and factory of Smith and Pepper. Explore the space in your own time with friendly guides who can share stories and demonstrate the machinery used in jewellery manufacture. Journey through the business' 90 years of operation to see how jewellery was made, learn how the trade functioned, and hear about some of the people who lived and worked in the quarter.You can also explore our gallery 'Story of the Jewellery Quarter' to see historic and contemporary examples of metalwork made only a stone's throw away.After your visit, you can head next door for a coffee, organic wine or craft beer at our brand new cafe bar, Craft & Culture before heading out and seeing what the rest of the Jewellery Quarter has in store.Places are limited, pre-booking recommended.

21.1 milesSat 11 Jul11:30
Local gemSee the details→
Festivals & Events
community10

Hidden Spaces Roof and Basement Tours

at Sarehole Mill

Step beyond the gallery walls and into the hidden heart of Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. Our 'Hidden Spaces Tours' offer a rare opportunity to explore areas of the building that are usually closed to the public — including storerooms, tucked-away corridors, and architectural gems often overlooked.Join our expert guides as you:Wander through off-limits spacesSoak in the incredible Victorian architecture from a new perspectiveHear about recent and upcoming renovation projectsEncounter a few collection superstars along the wayEnjoy quirky tales from Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery's colourful past, from mysterious goings-on to hidden passagewaysThe building itself is one of our most fascinating artefacts, come and experience it in a whole new light.

21.1 milesSat 11 Jul12:00
Local gemSee the details→
Community

More Top Picks

Keep the good ideas rolling

If this page has done the trick, there is more where that came from.

Round-upFamilies This WeekendTen family-friendly picks with proper details, decent venues, and no mystery listings that leave you guessing.Round-upFree Things This WeekendA smarter list of local free picks for the weekend, chosen for quality, clarity, and the sort of detail that saves a wasted journey.All PicksBack to Top PicksSee all our curated round-ups in one place.