Central England - variety of countryside and cities

Hereford and worcester - a relaxing holiday destination

Worcester is a lovely city to visit. It has many museums and sites of interest. There is a brilliant cathedral with huge imposing west facing windows which are definately worth a visit, make sure you visit the cool cloisters too as well as King John's Tomb, Prince Arthur's Chantry, the early 12th century Chapter House and St Wulstan's Crypt. Entry is free and staff are available every day. It is an amazing building to visit and possible the most picturesque cathedral in the UK.
For history lovers the Commandery is also worth a visit, this was said to be founded as a hospital by Saint Wilfstan in 1085 the then Bishop of Worcester. It is just outside the city gates boundary. The city walls can still be seen along city walls road and this can make a short diversion from a shopping trip through Worcester's many shopping arcades. There is a magnificent guild hall in Worcester too which is worth a trip, it sometimes hosts events such as craft shows.
Worcester is famous for its cricket ground, its racecourse and its river and you can combine these in a walk as they are all close to the city centre.
A few miles outside of Worcester you rech Lower Broadhealth, the birthplace of Elgar and there is a small museum there. A visit to Worcester would not be complete without a visit to the Malvern Hills in the West. These are worthy of a walk if you're feeling fit. Worcester Porcelain has a museum too, Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum and George Marshall Medical Museum
Hereford has many miles of lovely countryside.
Ledbury in Hereford is home to Eastnor Castle.
In Redditch there is a needle museum, whilst at Bewdley there is the Severn Valley Railway.
Around the whole area there are many lovely places to visit, parks to walk through and enjoy.

Gloucester makes a great holiday spot

Gloucester is split into three main areas - the Cotswolds, the Royal Forest of Dean and the Severn Vale.
The Cotswolds are limestone hills which gives the area its name from which its pretty cottages and villages are made. The area has some brillint towns to visit including Bourton on the Water where there is a motor museum, a model railway, Cotswold Potter, model village, Birdland, as well as lovely walks.
The Royal Forest of Dean is an ancient hunting forest which giyses many walks, villages, museums and places of interest. If you are interested in nature then you'll enjoy walks in the forest as well as a trip to the Butterly Farm or the caves at Cleanwell. There is a Colliery museum at Hopewell, Vineyards, Bird of Prey Centre and cycle hire available for you to get out and enjoy the countryside.
The Severn Valley is as the name suggests where the River Severn runs through Gloucestershire. The Severn Bore can be seen - its a high tide whcih causes a bashwash wave to travel up the river. There are many water based activities available in the area as well as the marvellous walks. Coopers Hill is hjome to an annual cheese race where competitiors chase a huge 8lb gloucester cheese down a hill. Bisley Well Blessing ceremony takes place on Ascension day.
There are many arts and crafts workshops in the area including pottery, flower crafts, weavers, and hat making.
Also worth a visit are Wellington Aviation Museum at Moreton-in-Marsh, Keith Harding's World of Mechanical Music
High Street at Northleach, Ruskin Mill crafts centre where they have a working water wheel as well as crafts workshops and shops.

Staffordshire has many great attractions

Staffordshire has so much history and so many historic buildings that you'll find plenty to do whilst you're on holiday.
The Ancient High house is the biggest timber framed town house in England. It is home to the Staffordshire Yeomanry musuem.
Boscobel House is a hunting lodge, farmyard and smithy where Charles II hid.
Castle Ring is an Iron Age Hill fort - one of 7 in the county. It is at Cannock Chase near Cannock Wood.
Chartley Castle is a 13th century stone motte and bailey fortress ruins worthy of a visit. More ruins are available at Croxden Abbey - medieval monastery.
Blakelands is a country house dating from 1638. It has 8 acres of grounds packed with paddocks, gardens, lake and orchards and has many talks and demonstrations available.
Chillington Hall is a 18th century country house with gardens landscaped by Capability Brown now considered of significant importance and now designated a Conservation area.
Other locations are Stafford Castle, Shugborough (home to Lord Lichfield), Sudbury Hall, Tamworth castle, Whitmore Hall, Wightwick manor - all these are great historic locations in Staffordshire.
Modern day Staffordshire has many attractions worth a visit too - these include Alton Towers which is a massive theme park. There are many attractions involving annimals - including Amerton Park, Blackbrook Zoological Park, Drayton Manor Zoo.
There's another theme park at Drayton Manor - 280 acres of lakes and parkland packed with scary rides. More theme park fun at Waterworld which is an aqua park dedicated to water thrill rides, it also caters well for the younger members of the family.
For railways lovers there's the Churnet Valley Railway, Foxfield Steam Railway to visit.
More unusual attractions include the Tamworth Snowdome where you can ski, snowboard or even toboggan all year round. Its an indoor snow slope ideal to learn with tuition available and free equipment hire.

Nottinghamshire

Amongst the things that Nottingham is famous for are a sherriff and Robin Hood! There's a castle in Nottingham which is on the site of the medieval one, but now is a 17th ccentury mansion beneath which are cave systems which can be toured.
The county of Notthinghamshire is at the heart of England and well served transport wise. With plenty of countryside to get out into and explore you'll find walks and cycling routes at Timberland Trail, Clumber Park, Teversal Trails and Sherwood Forest.
For water lovers there are many canals and the River Trent to explore. The Erewash Canal passes through Eastwood which has a museum at his birthplace. The Attenborough Nature Reserve at Beeston is alongside the Nottingham Beeston Canal which goes through the city centre. This is an interesting walk taking you from the centre to the outside areas showing you a wide range of NOttingham's locations.
There is a museum of Nottingham Life at the Brewhouse Yard near the castle which recreates 5 17th century cottages for the ultimate time travel!
In the city there is a Lace Market district which has many attractions including the market, Shire Hall and Galleries of Justice - this latter exhibition is not for the faint hearted as it dips into Nottingham's murky past through tours of the Victorian courthouse and prison.
The Tourist information centre is at Smithy Row just off the Market Square in the city, you can pick up more information on tours and walks here.

Derbyshire

Derbyshire is in the Peak District and is home to some of the most amazing countryside in the UK. It has several towns you'll have heard of including Matlock Bath, Chatsworth, home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, Bakewell with its famous puddings, Bolsover and Chesterfield.
Chesterfield is home to a brilliant open air market, a crooked spire, plenty of great country parks with wildlife to go and see, golf. If you've got an interest in ghosts you should visit Ashover which is said to have two ghosts! Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway Centre is a great place for railway enthusiasts. There are also canals, musuems, cinema, theatres and many more attractions to visit.
Also recommended is a visit to the caves - The Castleton Caverns comprise The Blue John Cavern, Treak Cliff Cavern, Speedwell Cavern (all clustered around the Winnats pass) and the great Peak Cavern, just outside Castleton village.
These are thrilling to go and visit - you're taken underground to see some wonderful caves!
Mam Tor is a great place if you like a walk - its above the valleys of Hope and Edale and was the location for an Iron Age Fort.
If you're in Derbyshire in the early part of the year look out for Well Dressing celebrations - a traditional blessing of the water supplies!