Entertainment in Solihull

At the south entrance of Touchwood, you’ll find Solihull’s key theatre venue. The Core is a multi-purpose arts centre that puts on an excellent programme of professional and amateur productions covering drama, comedy, dance and music, with something on most nights of the week. Past performances have included Alice in Wonderland, Fiddler on the Roof, The Nutcracker and popular tribute acts, such as Roy Orbison.

The Core Theatre itself is a 336-seat auditorium surrounding a raked stage, which is where the terms ‘upstage’ and ‘downstage’ come from, creating an improved view and better sound quality. There’s also a smaller 130-seat studio theatre for small-scale plays, music recitals and workshops etc. Plus, the Courtyard Gallery and Art Space have been known to host some popular exhibitions, too.

If you’re looking for somewhere to get a pre-show snack, or you’re just in the area, why not grab something from the airy Encore café bar? They serve a full menu from breakfast through to afternoon tea, as well as cakes and snacks.

Sadly, Solihull doesn’t boast much in the way of traditional sports. There’s no professional football team or rugby or cricket. Instead, the town does have a couple of less conventional options that you might be interested in.

It’s not every day that you get to see ice hockey in the UK, so why not make your way to the Solihull Ice Rink on Hobs Moat Road to see the Solihull Barons? Ice hockey has been a part of Solihull’s history for longer than you’d expect. Except for a brief hiatus, the town has had a team since 1965. While they haven’t had much success in recent years, it’s still an entertaining way to spend a couple of hours.

Likewise, you could pay a visit to Solihull Riding Club, which is less than two miles from our Solihull (Hockley Heath, M42) hotel. Since opening its doors in 1943, it’s become both the largest and the longest-established horse riding club in the country. Covering a whopping 220 acres, it’s grown to be much more than just a members’ club. Nowadays, it hosts premier competitions and has one of the largest indoor riding areas in England. Take a look at their events diary to see what’s on during your stay.