England page 7-13
Heart Of England
Home of the world's greatest playwright and the world's best loved outlaw, this is the land of Shakespeareand Robin Hood, a region steeped in history and heritage, which offers an unrivalled variety of countryside, towns, and villages
From the gently undulating hills of the Cotswoldsto the dramatic vistas of the Derbyshire Peak District from the black-and-white villages of The Marches to the honey-toned villages of Leicestershire from the classic spa and market towns of Worcestershireto cosmopolitan cities like Birmingham and Nottingham
From castles to caves, galleries to gardens,historic houses to heritage centres "Thats the Heart of England."
Shakespeare's Country amid the rolling hills and hidden valleys of the Cotswolds, the largest area of outstanding natural beauty in the country, in a landscape known for its charm the world over is Shakespeare's Country. From the home of the Bard in Stratford-upon-Avon to historic Warwick, Regency Royal Leamington Spa and the city of Coventry. The tranquil scenery of the Marches of Herefordshire and Shropshire, the beautiful Borderlands of England and Wales, to the area's of turbulent past among the ruins of a wealth of ancient fortifictions and castles.
Stoke-on-Trent home of the world-famous names like Minton, Spode, Doulton and Wedgwood. Gardens, canals and rugged beauty of the Staffordshire Moorlands andthe Malvern Hills. English countryside at its best in the surrounding Severn Vale; the Black Country,with its diverse industrial heritage; sophisticated cities; and relive the legend of Robin Hood in Nottinghamshire.
Derbyshire, and Northamptonshire, with its abundance of parish churches and historic homes, is known as the county of 'spires and squires. In peaceful forests and country parks of Leicestershire;or the mellow stone villages of Rutland, England's smallest county.
Throughout the Heart of England, a host of historic houses, castles and halls, whose grand design and antique treasures are matched only by the splendour of their gardens and grounds.
Home of the Dukes of Rutland since Henry VIII's time, Belvoir Castleis, medieval Warwick Castle, the finest in England, boasts splendid state rooms, the chilling Ghost Tower and gruesome Torture Chamber.
Blenheim Palace, home of the Duke of Marlborough and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, Chatsworth, Derbyshire's 'Palace of the Peak', with its magnificent collections of paintings, sculpture, silver and and porcelain.
Sulgrave Manor, once owned by the Washington family whose descendant became the first President of the United States,
Stokesay Castle, its solid walls and crenellated battlements set in a charming cottage-style garden framed by the tranquil Welsh borders; from Calke Abbey, 'the house that time forgot', with its rare Caricature Room, cluttered Victorian drawing room and natural history collections
Moseley Old Hall,where Charles II hid from Roundhead troops in the secret room
Built in 1508 and set in 550 acres of walled park, Althorphas been the home of the Spencer family for nearly 500 years.
From the terraced rose gardens of Derbyshire's Haddon Hall, the perfect example of a medieval manor house, to the magical Biddulph Grange Garden in Staffordshire, its themed gardens representing China, Egypt, the Scottish glens, taly and America,to Hawkstone Park in Shropshire, its combination of hidden pathways,concealed grottos, secret tunnels and follies.
The old English garden of Coton Manor, with its hedges and herbaceous borders, lakes and lawns set in the Northamptonshire countryside
Stratford upon Avon, home of William Shakespeare, five beautifully preserved Tudor properties administered by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust between them tell the story of five generations of the same family.
The modest terraced house in Nottinghamshire where D H Lawrence was born is now a museum providing an insight into both the author's early life and working class life in Victorian times;
Grander home of Lord Byron at Newstead Abbey, the poet's manuscripts and possessions are displayed in fine buildings set in lovely gardens.
Stafford Borough. Nestling in the Heart of England, Surrounded by a plethora of attractions, like the world famous Potteries, beautiful Cannock Chase, Alton Towers
A places which have absorbed echoes from the past. Castles, churches, houses and heritage sites.
Historic Market Town Banbury is famous for its Cross, Cakes and Nursery Rhyme. Bicester is a small traditional market town
Over sixty villages in the area, much golden stone and thatch in evidence and plentiful supply of beautiful churches, stone carvings and many medieval items
The smaller villages often have strong historic connections such as Cropredy and Islip, scenes of battles in the 1600s; and the Heyfords and Somerton linked with the Oxford Canal built in the 1770s.
Cheltenham Spa England's most complete Regency town, made fashionable by King George III, Cheltenham is one of England's most popular inland resorts
Rutland England's smallest county includes two medieval market towns and over fifty small villages. The county covers 150 square miles and is only 20 miles across.
Historic Rutland is rich in historic heritage. includes Oakham Castle and Lyddington Bede House originally a Bishop's Palace
Shakespeare Country
Birthplace of the Bard Birthplace of the world’s greatest playwright and home to the Royal Shakespeare Company, Shakespeare Country has many historic and cultural treasures. The Royal Shakespeare Theatres, magnificent castles, historic houses,
Stratford-upon-Avon completes the picture with its picturesque river setting, three theatres and floral displays. As well as Shakespeare’s Birthplace, grave in Holy Trinity Church as well as a number of other houses connected to the family, including the world-famous Anne Hathaway's Cottage
One of England's few remaining ancient Royal Forests. On the beautiful borders of England and Wales.
home of Britain's Only Mainline Steam Railway, world's largest bellfoundry.
Medieval bridges,built in the ninth century Saxon cross, a 151 feet high Carillon tower and the birthplace of Queen of England, Lady Jane Grey.
Famous the world over, the Cotswolds offers everything from modest cottages and imposing manor houses to impressive churches, all built in mellow stone. Its magnificent landscape, with rolling hills and tree-lined valleys make it 'true English countryside'.
Gloucester
Situated at the heart of Gloucestershire, the city of Gloucester is home to a magnificent Norman Cathedral and historic Docks, as well as a wealth of museums
Bridgnorth and Shropshire's Severn Valley
Bridgnorth 'finest view in all my kingdom' declared Charles I, when looking down on the River Severn from the romantic hill top town of Bridgnorth.
Nottinghamshire - Robin Hood Country
Nottingham A City of Legends Robin Hood is 'alive' at the "Tales" visitor centre, medieval banquets and a spectacular jousting tournament held each October at Nottingham Castle. amidst the ancient oaks of Sherwood Forest and throughout the country.
North Worcestershire, the area takes its name from the ancient royal hunting forest of Wyre. The District is made up of Bewdley and Stourport on Severn, the Georgian towns set on the banks of the River Severn. And Kidderminster famous for its woven carpets and numerous attractive villages and hamlets, Birthplace of Sir Rowland Hill, founder of the Penny Post. Stanley Baldwin, three times British Prime Minister and the Hill Organ in Kidderminster Town Hall.
The City of Gloucester Overlooked by the Cotswold hills, in the lush Severn valley. The magnificent Norman Cathedral and the shop that Beatrix Potter used as a model for the Tailor's home in her famous story 'The Tailor of Gloucester'. Folk and City Museums.
