| Status: | Active, open to new members |
| Leader: | |
| When: | Monthly Approx. Monthly |
| Venue: | Venue as advertised |
Our aim is to organise an event or trip approximately once-per-month. The days we meet will vary, depending upon where we are going.
The group was started in 2023, and currently has nearly 120 members who have expressed an interest in joining in with some of the activities. That is around 60% of our total membership!
You can see latest information by clicking on this link (members only - password needed) : Trippers Monthly Blog
Coming Soon
We have several ideas for the remainder of the year (2026), including:-
In March, a trip to Coventry, using our travel passes for free travel on both buses an trains, to visit Either the Cathedral and the Guildhall Or the Transport Museum
In April an historical guided walking tour of Birmingham city centre
In May, a murder mystery evening meal at Halesowen College
In June, crazy golf, followed by lunch at a country pub and also, on a separate day, a glass-fusing workshop in Stourbridge
In July, a day out in Worcester to visit Greyfriars (National Trust) and the Commandery
we are also looking at arranging an activities day which might include, for example, archery, orienteering, etc.
Some of our past events
We had our annual pantomime visit in early February, at Halesowen Town Hall - the 2026 feature was Jack and the Beanstalk, starring members of the local Am Dram group - Startime Variety.
The year started with a successful visit to Wolverhampton Art Gallery in January, to see the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. A dozen members enjoyed the fabulous display and then everyone joined in the optional lunch in the museum's own "Glaze" cafe.
In December a few of us visited the Worcester Christmas tree festival, travelling there by train. There was also a Christmas market, and street entertainment including a Ukulele band and also a couple of men on stilts juggling clubs!
For those who couldn't join us in Worcester then Halesowen's St John the Baptist church has its own Christmas Tree festival, starting on 28th November and running through to 3rd January, open on Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays from 10:30 to 12:30. Our u3a will have their own tree, decorated by some of our members displaying their hand-made and craft skills.
On another day in December, some 28 of our members went along to Halesowen College's bistro for an organised Christmas meal in the evening. Being such a large group meant we were able to have the whole venue to ourselves.
In November we visited Aston Hall, which was a guided tour - an interesting way to see this historic building.
October we held two events. The first was a trip on the world-famous (in Birmingham) number 11 outer ring-road bus route, taking in Sarehole Mill and Selly Manor, plus a coffee/lunch stop.
The second was a visit to Coughton Court whilst it was still operated by the National Trust. At the end of 2025, management and admissions was be handed back to the control of the Throckmorton family.
In September we enjoyed a coach trip to Bletchley Park, the famous home of war-time code breakers, including where the German "unbreakable" Enigma Code was actually cracked! This was on a special "1940's weekend", where people were encouraged to dress in period costume. All three armed services were represented, and there were also many war-time vehicles in evidence.
In June those members with good sea legs enjoyed a barge cruise along the delightful Birmingham city centre canals, before dining at one of the many restaurants in Brindley Place.
May saw the bravest of Trippers attend a "Murder Mystery" event. A most enjoyable evening at Halesowen College, where 2nd year drama students acted out a story about family inheritance feud, which included two “murders” one either side of our starter course. We were encouraged to solve the mystery and identify the murderer. Although this event was shared with members of the public, our u3a provided both certificate winners. One for correctly guessing the murderer, and the second who ”got it wrong”. The food is all prepared by the college’s catering students, and was good quality and plentiful.
In April 2025 some of us took part in a "Darkside walking tour of Birmingham". This was a walk led by an interesting guide who told us all about many “dark deeds”, murders and the like, taking us from one crime scene to another, We started in the Jewellery Quarter and finished in the centre of the city, in front of the council house. Many tales were told, including the former Eye Hospital, reportedly haunted by the surgeon who committed suicide, after mistakenly removing the wrong eye from his patient – leaving him completely blind!
Also in April, Trippers gathered for a tour of the famous Whistle Factory (originally J Hudson & Co, and continues as Acme Whistles). Acme is the world's largest and most famous producer of whistles. They are headquartered in the Jewellery Quarter district of Birmingham.
In March 2025 21 members visited Wightwick Manor, a National Trust property located to the west of Wolverhampton.
This Victorian manor house was built in 1887 by the Mander family, who manufactured and sold paint across the world. It was built to look older that it actually is, and was also designed to impress the many visitors, including customers and potential clients to the Mander business.
The home the Manders created at Wightwick followed the principles of the Aesthetic Movement and was filled with art and objects associated with William Morris, the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and the Arts and Crafts movement. They had a passion for this art and for telling the stories of the artists.
February 2025 saw 24 members visit the Birmingham back-to-backs, a National Trust restoration of a "court" where families lived in close proximity, sharing communal toilets and laundry facilities. In small groups of 8, we were led by a guide through several restored homes, each dressed and set for periods ranging from the 1830's up until around the 1960's. It was a fascinating experience, brought to life by the very knowledgeable guides, allowing you to imagine how tough life was living in such a place.
In November 2024, 27 members visited the Coffin Works Museum in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter.
In October 2024 some 13 members visited the National Memorial Arboretum
Our September 2024 outing was a trip on the Severn Valley Railway, with tickets for unlimited travel for the whole day. It was a glorious sunny day, and some 27 members enjoyed the delights on offer, with many stopping for lunch at Bridgnorth, before returning to Kidderminster.
For the August trip, 30 members enjoyed a guided tour of the walled garden at Leasowes Park, followed by a summer picnic.
In July 2024 members visited Stratford upon Avon for the day, which included a guided back-stage tour of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
In June 2024 we visited the Black Country Living Museum, arriving as it opened at 10:00. We boarded a rather ancient single-decker bus for a short trip to the central part of the museum. Here, some of us sat in a classroom for a lesson set at the beginning of the last century. Those "girls" who dared turning up for "school" wearing nail varnish had to go to the front of the class and were "shamed" by the others!
After looking around and visiting a few of the shops, some members listened to a talk on ships anchors, and then were enthralled to see a demonstration of actual chain-making by traditional methods.
Some enjoyed the "world famous" (in Tipton) fish and chips, whilst others dined in the Workers Institute for sandwiches or soup.
After lunch a few brave members ventured below ground into the coal mine.
The day started with a light rain shower when we arrived, but this quickly stopped, and the weather improved, the sun came out, and at the end of the day we met up to enjoy teas and coffees sitting outside together in the warm sunshine.
In April 2024 the group enjoyed a "Blue Badge" guided walk in Birmingham City centre, entitled “Follow the Victorians”, and in May we visited the fascinating Stourbridge Glass Works.
In March 2024 members visited RAF Cosford aircraft museum. We met in the on-site café for hot drinks and then began exploring the impressive museum. Many of the exhibits are housed in vast hangars, with some aircraft even displayed hanging from the ceiling at alarming angles!
Most of us were surprised at how small, flimsy, and primitive some of the early biplanes appeared to be, and then subsequently amazed at how large some of the later aircraft are when you are up close.
In January 2024, 44 members of the group had a very interesting and informative Guided Tour around the Grade 2-listed Steelhouse Lane Police Museum in Birmingham, which was operational from 1891 until 2016.
In December 2023 we visited Hanbury Hall, a National Trust property near Droitwich. It was a beautifully sunny day, with blue skies, but very cold outside. The house was decorated for Christmas, as it would have been in the 1970's and 1980's, with all manner of popular toys and games most of us remembered, plus a table laden with typical party foods from those decades.
If you join the group, there is no expectation that you will come to every event offered. Simply join us when you want to, and feel free to pick and choose those trips that take your fancy, or fit in your diary. Members are encouraged to suggest new venues or activities, and help others share in somewhere or something that you have enjoyed.
For further details, message Day Trippers
Tim, Jan, Colin & Kath (Group Leaders)
You can see latest information by clicking on this link (members only - password needed) : Trippers Monthly Blog
EDUCATIONAL RESIDENTIAL TRIPS
As well as Day Trips, the leaders organise a short residential trip of between 3 to 5 days duration, by coach probably once per year. This is likely to be in August or September each year.
Click on this link Educational Trips for latest information.
COFFEE AND CAKE
An exciting offshoot of Day Trippers - Two of the Day Trippers team have introduced the idea of members meeting monthly at a local café, to sit and chat for a couple of hours, whilst enjoying Tea, Coffee, etc and possibly a piece of cake (or two). Initially, they are meeting at Cheswicks, behind Sainsbury’s in Blackheath.
Click on this link Coffee Cake and Chat for latest information.
