Heart of England

Winding path through the Cotwolds Click on the image for larger version

There is England and there is the Heart of England. This is the very heart of Britain, capturing the very essence of Englishness. It is majestic yet unassuming, its countryside and traditions are old, even quirky, yet its cities are progressive and cosmopolitan.

Like the rest of England, the Heart of England is charmingly individual, but the bonus is that the Heart of England is at the hub of Britain’s road network, so exploring every last bit of it is made very easy! You don’t have to fly into London because there is the international airport at Birmingham right in the centre of the region.

Take some time to visit the Cotswolds, taking in the many honey-coloured villages. The potteries of Staffordshire and dramatic landscape of Derbyshire and the Peak District to the north of the region are juxtaposed with Shakespeare’s Stratford-on-Avon and the nearby lesser-known parts of Warwickshire. Lose yourself in the legends of Nottinghamshire and Robin Hood's Sherwood Forest.

The moulding process, so important to Melton Mowbray's famous pork pies Click on the image for larger version

Explore the counties of Herefordshire and Shropshire along the beautiful borderlands of England and Wales, sampling the myriad of excellent restaurants and locally produced food. Shop for antiques in Lincolnshire and visit the impressive Lincoln Cathedral whilst you’re there. Sample some of the countries finest cheese and pork pies in Leicestershire, before visiting the tranquil beauty of Northamptonshire. This is just a taster of what’s on offer in the Heart of England, you have to come here yourself to discover the rest!