Coventry Attacks Aston Shocker

The year is 1643 and a Parliamentarian force from Cov is laying siege to Aston Hall. A cannon ball-shaped hole in the staircase is the result. Okay, okay — there's rather less drama going down at the Jacobean mansion of late but you can TOTALLY stillsee said hole. Plus the IB Festival is at Aston Hall this weekend, and a pretty badass exhibition marking 400 years of the Grade I listed building continues until September 30. Walls Have Ears is a collection including paintings, tapestries, photographs and film, positioned throughout Aston Hall. It speaks to the changes in the social, demographic and economic realities of inner-city Aston, and strikes us as a darned excellent intro to one of Brum's absolute assets. Entry is £8 and the gardens are very worth your attention in the summery side of the year.