The Midlands is the place where the real England lives, where the castles are kept, the industrial heritage is maintained and the country is the quietest. Rather than a long list of towns, let’s think through how to take advantage of the three real strengths of the region.
This is the type of castle that is definitely worth the detour.
### Warwick Castle
The star of the show for the Midlands. Almost 1000 years of history, working trebuchet demonstration and towers to climb instead of looking at from the back of a rope. Get to the area early; tour groups arrive midday.
### Kenilworth Castle
Not as shiny as Warwick, more atmospheric. Now a dramatic ruin, with an Elizabethan garden recreated based on drawings from 1575, one of the largest castles in England once stood there. Less congestion and greater space for you to explore at your own speed.
### Tamworth Castle
Compact Norman motte and bailey castle, convenient for a half day in the nearby market town — good if you are pressed for time.
## Countryside That Earns the Drive
### Peak District National Park
Britain’s first national park, and best hiker’s territory in the Midlands. Stay in Bakewell or Castleton and spend the day exploring the limestone footpaths and walks of the Hope Valley.
### Chatsworth Estate
One of England’s most grand stately homes in 1,000 acres of parkland in the Peak District. It’s worth a whole day visiting the house, gardens and farm shop.
### Rutland Water
There is the largest reservoir in England by surface area, which is surrounded by a 25 mile trail in the smallest county in England. Better for a leisurely, half-day bike ride or cruise out on the water than a tough hike.
### Sherwood Forest
The Major Oak is a 800 year old oak tree and the Robin Hood legend are found in this area. The ancient woodland paths are quite easy, and suitable for an afternoon family hike.
## Historic Towns Beyond the Obvious
### Lincoln
The Cathedral of Lincoln remained the world’s highest at its time of construction for more than 200 years until the construction of the Empire State Building in 1931.The Cathedral of Lincoln was the tallest building in the world for more than 200 years until the Empire State Building was built in 1931. It is one of England’s best-preserved medieval streets – Steep Hill.
### Ironbridge Gorge
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the actual birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and the birthplace of the world’s first iron bridge. This is a full day, and not just a quick-and-easy drive through the gorge, with 10 museums dotted throughout.
### Stratford-upon-Avon
A living town, not a museum artefact, Shakespeare’s birthplace, with Tudor streets, riverside strolls and regular performances at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
### Coventry
If you’re just looking for post card England, you can skip this. If you’re looking for something truly extraordinary – the ruins of the old cathedral, next to its striking modernist replica, a deliberate declaration of renewal.
How to combine all 3 is unclear to me.I don’t know how to combine all three.
### 3-Day Trip
A day in the Peak District: Bakewell and Chatsworth (Warwick Castle + Stratford-upon-Avon).
### 5-Day Trip
Include Kenilworth Castle, Ironbridge Gorge and a full day at Rutland Water or Sherwood Forest.
### Getting Around
A car is pretty much essential — most of these locations are 45–90 minutes apart with little public transit between them. If you have to rely on a train to get here, then base yourself in Birmingham or Nottingham and treat each of these two places as a day trip.
## Final Word
The Midlands does three things well: fortified history, open countryside and towns that have remained largely unchanged for centuries. Choose one castle, one countryside and one historic town a day and come back with a much more pronounced idea of England than most tours of the country.