The Midlands is an often overlooked part of the United Kingdom, but with many areas of outstanding natural beauty and historically significant towns, it is well worth a stop on any itinerary. The Midlands are home to some of Britain’s greatest exports: William Shakespeare, Cadbury’s chocolate, and jewellery crafted in Birmingham’s famed Jewellery Quarter.
With Birmingham as the region’s major hub, the Midlands is steeped in industrial history with many of the great advancements of the industrial revolution coming out of the area. You will also find many beautiful towns and villages, like Stratford-Upon-Avon, Lichfield with its historic cathedral, and Nottingham and Leicester with their connection to Richard the III, the Battle of Bosworth, and the Wars of the Roses. There is no shortage of things to do in this fascinating part of the country, whether you are making a day trip from London or are planning to stay for an extended period in the region as a family or solo traveller.
Stratford-Upon-Avon
No trip to the Midlands is complete without a visit to Stratford-Upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. This charming market town is best known for its connection to The Bard, and you can visit the house in which he was born, where the interior remains as it was in the second half of the sixteenth century. Here you can learn all about Shakespeare’s family history—including via video guides sent directly to your phone. You can also visit a fantastic exhibition that charts the impact Shakespeare has had on the world as we know it. Nearby is the cottage of Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare’s wife, holding much of her original furniture and outside there are acres of beautiful gardens in which to walk. Once you have had your fill of Shakespearean history you might consider hiring a canal boat for a tour of the waterways that connect Stratford to neighbouring towns and villages, or drop in to one of the town's many lovely pubs for something to eat and drink.
Warwick Castle
Warwick Castle was transformed from a wooden structure into a fortified stone castle by William the Conqueror in 1068. presently, the castle is one of the most exciting historic sites in England, with a variety of thrilling events that bring history to life. In the Castle Dungeon, you will find actors reading to regale you with thrilling and sometimes frightening stories of days gone by, while out in the castle grounds you can see archery shows, bird of prey events, and even jousting and demonstrations of ancient war machines to give you a sense of Britain’s long and fascinating military history. There is a hotel on site, too, for anyone who wants to stay longer and soak up the excitement with family. The castle is readily accessible by rail and by road, and coaches are departing from and to London for those wanting to visit from the capital.
Blists Hill Victorian Town
Carrying on with the historic theme, Blists Hill Victorian Town is home to an exceptional outdoor historical experience that allows you to travel back over 100 years and learn all about Victorian life in these living museums. Blists has authentic Victorian shops and cottages where actors explain how people lived and worked during this period. You can exchange your modern-day money in the bank for Victorian pounds, shillings, and pence, buy strange remedies from the pharmacy, and try your luck at the fairground on Victorian fun fair games. Traditional fish and chips are on offer to cover lunch, dinner, and everything in between, followed by sweets and treats from the Victorian Sweet Shop. Blists Hill Victorian Town is the place to learn about this important period in British history, and what better way to do it than a full immersion in a model town.
Bournville
Bournville is for chocolate lovers from around the world. The town is only a fifteen-minute train ride from Birmingham and is home to the famed Cadbury’s chocolate. The town itself was founded by the chocolate makers, George and Richard Cadbury, and was built for the factory workers and their families. The Cadbury family were devout Quakers and so the town was designed to be a “model” village, in which the sale of alcohol was banned. The village is now one of the more affluent locales in the United Kingdom and a highly sought-after location to live in. When visiting, self-guided tours of the village will take you through the history of the Cadbury brand, while learning about Cadbury’s manufacturing processes—and tasting the delicious fruits of those labours, too. There is a Cadbury’s centre, called Cadbury’s Purple Planet where you can even ride the Crunchie rollercoaster in the 4D cinema. Bournville blends history with idyllic village life and a scrumptious taste of adventure.
Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham
Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter is described by some as a national treasure. With more than 800 businesses, including jewellers, independent boutiques, bars, and restaurants it is a brilliant day out in the city. The Jewellery Quarter has Europe’s highest concentration of businesses involved in the jewellery trade and has history dating back to the sixteenth century. Many developments in jewellery-making have taken place in this historic part of Birmingham and today it serves as a thriving business hub.
Many of the businesses here are located in striking historic buildings, and there are a number of wonderful eateries dotted along those verdant tree-lined streets. Guided tours will benefit those interested in the history of the area, and workshops are available for anyone keen to try their hand at jewellery making.
A vast swath of captivating lands that cut through the heart of the country, The Midlands are somewhat overlooked by holidaymakers in favour of the wilderness of the north or the gentility of the south. The region however is served by much beauty and mystique. From the historic market towns of Lincolnshire to the cosmopolitan city of Birmingham, wild nature awaits. Stratford and Cambridge's rich literary legacy beckons heritage hunters. The Midlands, an integral part of national culture, deserve to be explored and celebrated
