The National Trust is not an organisation you would normally rely on to organise a city break weekend of designer shopping, trendy bar excursions and clubbing, but its three newest self-catering properties are a real departure from its trademark twee country cottages as they are located right in Birmingham's city centre. The perfect location for a hectic weekend of pure consumerism, Inge Street is five minutes from the city's Bullring and Mailbox shopping centres, and opposite entertainment complex the Birmingham Hippodrome. But the trust hasn't cut all ties with conservationism: the cottages are part of the Court 15 Back to Backs project carried out by the NT and the Birmingham Conservation Trust which preserves the city's last remaining courtyard. As well as the Georgian, Victorian and Art Deco-style cottages, it includes a 1930s' sweet shop, tailor's workshop and museum houses that provide an insight into the history of working class life over 130 years, so visitors can experience a piece of social urban history then pop out for the thrill of modern city living. The project and cottages open on 23 July. They cost £69 per person per night through the National Trust (0870 458 4422; www.nationaltrustcottages.co.uk). A tour of the project costs £3.80 per adult, £1.90 per child, call 0121 666 7671.