J R R Tolkein

A simple plaque marks the birthplace of the man who gave us Middle-earth, tucked away on a residential street in Sarehole. The house where John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was born in 1892 stands quietly among Victorian terraces, bearing little resemblance to the Shire that would later spring from his imagination. You won't find hobbits or elves here - just a modest memorial that hardcore fans will appreciate, though casual visitors might wonder what the fuss is about.

Tolkien enthusiasts will want to combine this with nearby Sarehole Mill, which inspired the Old Mill in his stories. The actual birthplace itself takes all of five minutes to see properly. There's not much more than the commemorative plaque to photograph, but it's free and always accessible from the pavement.

Families staying at nearby parks like Warwick Racecourse or Knight's Village at Warwick Castle could easily work this into a literary pilgrimage around the area. It pairs well with a trip to Birmingham's other Tolkien sites or Warwick Castle itself. Don't expect an attraction in the traditional sense - this is more about paying respects to one of Britain's greatest storytellers at the spot where his remarkable journey began.