These are the best places to travel this summer

The Midlands & the Marches

Pocket London Travel Guide

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book
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.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

LONELY PLANET’S RECOMMENDED eSIM

Stay connected in The Midlands & the Marches

with

Saily is an affordable eSIM service that helps you stay connected and secure, anywhere in the world.

Get your eSIM

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…

View more attractions

Plan with a local

Experience the real England

Let a local expert craft your dream trip.
Get started

Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

Explore all books

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in The Midlands & the Marches

Go Beyond

The Midlands & the Marches and beyond

Beyond The Midlands & the Marches