Ladybower Reservoir in the Peak District, Derbyshire, UK

LIKE THE rest of England, the Midlands are charmingly individual, but the bonus is that they are situated at the hub of Britain’s road network, so exploring every last bit of it is made very easy!

You don’t have to fly into London because there is the international airport at Birmingham right in the centre of the region. Birmingham is also now able to offer a world-class cultural scene, superb shopping, top attractions, fantastic music and nightlife, major international events and exhibitions

Explore the counties of Herefordshire and Shropshire along the beautiful borderlands of England and Wales, sampling the myriad of excellent restaurants and locally produced food. Don’t forget to discover the real taste of the countryside in Herefordshire’s famous cider.

Nottingham Castle, Nottingham, England

In Worcestershire you can find fine churches, historic buildings and a thriving arts scene with internationally acclaimed festivals and events.

Venture across the dramatic landscape of the Peak District National Park or the rolling Lincolnshire Wolds. Prefer to live it up? Make for historic Lincoln, Nottingham, Derby or Leicester where fine Asian cuisine is spicily sumptuous. Seek out traditional local fare too - delicious cheeses, gingerbread and the famous Melton Mowbray pork pies.

Must see and do

• Chatsworth, Bakewell, Derbyshire
  
• Blue John Cavern, Castleton, Hope Valley
  
• The National Space Centre, Leicester
  
• Sherwood Forest, Mansfield
  
• Rutland Belle, Rutland Water
  
• Herefordshire Light Infantry Museum, Hereford
  
• The Webb Ellis Rugby Football Museum, Rugby
  
• Coventry Transport Museum, Coventry
  
• Ironbridge Gorge Museums, Coalbrookdale