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The Midlands & the Marches

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Brindley Place red brick church building reflected in water. West Midlands landmark buildings redevelopment in historic city centre reflection in stream. Birds and clouds in sky.

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Overview

If you're searching for quintessentially English countryside – green valleys, chocolate-box villages of wonky black-and-white timbered houses, woodlands steeped in legend such as Nottinghamshire's Sherwood Forest, and stately homes that look like the last lord of the manor just clip-clopped out of the stables – you'll find it here in the country's heart.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • MARCH 15, 2016: Chatsworth House reflected in a lake in Derbyshire.

    Chatsworth House

    Peak District

    Known as the 'Palace of the Peak', this vast edifice 3 miles northeast of Bakewell has been occupied by the earls and dukes of Devonshire for centuries…

  • UK, England, Birmingham, Centenary Square, New Library of Birmingham

    Library of Birmingham

    Birmingham

    Resembling a glittering stack of gift-wrapped presents, the Francine Houben–designed Library of Birmingham is an architectural triumph. The 2013-opened…

  • New Place garden, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England; Shutterstock ID 138746273; Your name (First / Last): Emma Sparks; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Best in Europe POI updates

    Shakespeare's New Place

    Stratford-upon-Avon

    When Shakespeare retired, he swapped the bright lights of London for a comfortable town house at New Place, where he died of unknown causes in April 1616…

  • The Stratford shakespeares birthplace in England; Shutterstock ID 52158487; Your name (First / Last): Emma Sparks; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Best in Europe POI updates

    Shakespeare's Birthplace

    Stratford-upon-Avon

    Start your Shakespeare quest at the house where the renowned playwright was born in 1564 and spent his childhood days. John Shakespeare owned the house…

  • Birmingham - September 11: The Barber Institute of Fine Art in the university of Birmingham, on September 11, 2016, UK

    Barber Institute of Fine Arts

    Birmingham

    At the University of Birmingham, 3 miles south of the city centre, the Barber Institute of Fine Arts has an astonishing collection of Renaissance…

  • Hereford Cathedral

    Hereford Cathedral

    The Midlands & the Marches

    After Welsh marauders torched the original Saxon cathedral, the Norman rulers of Hereford erected a larger, grander cathedral on the same site. The…

  • Lichfield Cathedral

    Lichfield Cathedral

    The Midlands & the Marches

    Crowned by three dramatic towers, Lichfield Cathedral is a Gothic fantasy, constructed in stages from 1200 to 1350. The enormous vaulted nave is set…

  • National Brewery Centre

    National Brewery Centre

    The Midlands & the Marches

    Burton-upon-Trent grew up around its 7th-century abbey, which was famed for its healing spring waters. Brewing began here around 1700 and in the early…

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