The Midlands

The English Midlands cover a great swathe of the country south of the Humber Estuary and from the Welsh border in the west to the fringes of the Southeast. Some of the counties in the Midlands are Derbyshire, Herefordshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Rutland, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and the West Midlands.

From the wild moors of the Derbyshire Peak District National Park and major cities like Birmingham to the quiet villages of rural Northamptonshire and Herefordshire, the Midlands is a region of great diversity. The Industrial Revolution began in Shropshire; indeed, industrial heritage is a major feature here: the Staffordshire Potteries draw enormous numbers of visitors, while the motor industry has h2 links with Warwickshire.

Shakespeare lived in Stratford-upon-Avon, while Nottingham is forever tied to the legend of Robin Hood. Great cathedrals, such as those of Coventry, Lichfield, Lincoln and Worcester, are plentiful. The region’s only stretch of coastline, that of Lincolnshire, has an array of seaside resorts, including Cleethorpes, Mablethorpe and Skegness. Canals criss-cross much of the Midlands, and these former industrial supply routes are nowadays an important tourism resource, offering a relaxed way to enjoy the countryside from hired cruisers and narrowboats.

Warwickshire & the West Midlands

The industrial heart of Britain is surrounded by lovely countryside. Birmingham, Britain’s second-largest city, is a centre of both industry and culture. It has a magnificent library, and the Central Museum & Art Gallery is one of the finest in the country. Also in the city are the National Sea Life Centre, and the Jewelry Quarter, whose Museum tells the story of this interesting district. Birmingham has more canals than Venice, most of which are still navigable. Aston Hall, to the east of the city centre, is a splendid stately home, while in the southern suburbs at Bournville, Cadbury World is a popular family attraction in this famous chocolate manufacturing centre. Birmingham is home to the National Exhibition Centre, site of many major exhibitions and trade fairs. Northwest of Birmingham is the Black Country, an area extending into southern Staffordshire. Former industrial powerhouse and coal mining centre, the main towns of interest here include Dudley, which has a castle and a zoo in the same complex. The town also boasts the open-air Black Country Living Museum, from which it is possible to take canal boat trips through the tunnel to the spectacular Singing Cavern.