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Derbyshire is home to the majestic scenery of the Peak District, bustling market towns, attractive villages, which celebrate old customs such as well dressing, and large country houses such as Chatsworth and Haddon. There are spa towns such as Buxton and the famous Blue John Mines. This area is also easily accessible from the city of Manchester.
Some famous people have come from Nottinghamshire. These include Lord Byron, D. H. Lawrence and of course the legendary Robin Hood. The visitor can still explore Sherwood Forest, where the outlaw reputedly lived. There are many interesting old market towns such as Mansfield, Newark, Retford and Southwell, most of which have a host of ancient traditions. Nottingham itself is a lively city with a mixture of old and new attractions.
There is an original copy of the Magna Carta in Lincoln Castle, and the cathedral is certainly worth a visit. The Lincolnshire Wolds are an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with picture postcard villages and attractive market towns. In contrast there are the resorts of the Lincolnshire coast. Such places as Skegness and Mablethorpe offer fun for the whole family.
Staffordshire is home to the potteries and there are many museums from the days when the china factories were at their peaks of production. Stafford has some very interesting old buildings and there is plenty of entertainment available in the town. Cannock Chase is a lovely area with many ancient types of woodland, known as the green heart of Staffordshire.
The land-locked county of Leicestershire is host to a large number of nature reserves and home to many pretty villages. There are still many active market towns, such as Loughborough. Leicester is a thriving student city with a large number of museums and entertainment facilities.
Shropshire lies on the Welsh borders and is a pretty county with lots of attractive towns and villages. The first modern Olympic Games were held in the town of Much Wenlock in 1850. Shrewsbury was the birthplace of Darwin and has more than 600 listed buildings. The Ironbridge Gorge should not be missed.
West Midlands is home to Birmingham, England’s second city and a world class culture centre. There are lots of shops, concert halls and sporting venues. In fact, there is something for everyone in this vibrant city. The area is also convenient for visiting most of central England. Coventry should be seen, if only for its two cathedrals.
Hereford Cathedral is home to the ancient Mappa Mundi and the largest Chained Library in the world. The ancient city is well worth visiting and makes an ideal deal centre from which to explore the rest of this lovely border county and the valley of the lovely River Wye. The area around Ross-on-Wye is particularly beautiful and full of historic interest.
Nearby Worcester lies on the banks of the River Severn and has a magnificent 11th century cathedral. In addition is has many interesting old buildings and museums. Worcestershire has a number of busy farmers’ markets and many interesting towns such as Malvern and Evesham.
Warwickshire was home to Shakespeare and Stratford-on-Avon still celebrates the life of the bard. There are many lovely towns and villages in this pretty county including Warwick and Kenilworth with their ancient castles.