The Midlands is in a curious position with respect to the geography of British leisure travel. Centrally located, accessible by all means of transport, and boasting an impressive variety of landscapes, cities, and experiences, it is, however, always neglected in favor of destinations with a more robust marketing image. When travelers come to the region in the right way, choosing the right base and basing their days on what is really there, they find a hotel break in the Midlands that offers much more than its small reputation promises.
Choosing the Right Base for Your Priorities
The Midlands is big enough that the choice of base will greatly influence the kind of break that can be provided. A hotel in or around Birmingham positions the traveller within striking distance of the re-invented cultural and dining experience of the city, the Cotswolds, and Stratford-upon-Avon, all within a short drive. A southern location on the edge of the Peak District is more focused on the landscape and walking, with easy access to market towns such as Buxton and Bakewell. A Warwickshire house strikes a balance between the two, providing Shakespeare country, accessible country, and a drivable distance to both Birmingham and Oxford. The decision on the location of the break depends on what balance of urban and rural experience is to be provided.
Birmingham as an Unexpected Highlight
Those travelers who dismiss Birmingham with an old-fashioned image are depriving themselves of a city that has invested heavily in its cultural and culinary infrastructure. The independent nature of the Jewellery Quarter, the Digbeth creative quarter, the Brindleyplace waterside development, and an ever-growing restaurant scene that now features some of the most thrilling cooking in the country all make Birmingham a city worth a full day of real exploration. A day out in the city, transformed into a Midlands long weekend, provides an urban experience that dispels the notion that the area has nothing comparable to what the north and the south offer.
Shakespeare Country and Its Genuine Appeal
Stratford-upon-Avon is a less difficult object of cynicism than it merits being. Outside the explicitly commercial Shakespeare attractions lies a very appealing market town with good independent food and shopping, beautiful adjacent countryside and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, which offers world-class performances in a unique location. The surrounding villages, such as Chipping Campden on the northern fringe of the Cotswolds, provide a landscape and architectural element that significantly increases the choices available on the day. One of the most rewarding single days in the Midlands is a full day based on this area, with an evening performance for those who make their arrangements well in advance.
Peak District Access and the Landscape Dimension
The southern Peak District is among the Midlands’ most readily available natural resources, and one of the least recognised by visitors not resident in the area. The Manifold Valley, the villages of the limestone plateau of the White Peak (Dovedale, the Manifold Valley, etc.), all provide walking and a landscape of a true quality within easy reach of various bases in the Midlands. The use of the region’s landscape advantage to create a walking day out of the long weekend itinerary is something that hotel-bound breaks lack altogether, and it provides a physical counterpoint to the city and town exploration that makes a diverse itinerary more restorative than one that is all urban.
Food and the Independent Scene
The Midlands food culture is much broader than the headline restaurants of Birmingham, extending to an ecosystem of independent producers, farm shops and market-town cafes that are well worth seeking out. Ludlow, located in the southwest of the region, has established a reputation for its food, which makes people visit it to eat. The Coventry market tradition and the independent restaurant of Leamington Spa provide Coventry with market tradition and add the restaurant’s dining dimensions that are not always discussed in the national food media, yet always prove sufficient for visitors who come without any preconceptions. Adding a meal at a suggested independent restaurant each day of the break is a culinary twist that elevates the experience.
Canals and the Slow Travel Dimension
The Midlands has the most extensive canal system in the country, and a walk, or ride, or a narrowboat journey will give a view of the country that cannot be obtained by road. Walking along the towpaths of the canal links industrial heritage to the countryside in a manner unique to this area and not found elsewhere. A half-day stroll along a select portion of the Birmingham and Fazeley or the Stratford-upon-Avon canal will introduce a range and scenic quality that extends the excursion beyond the usual sightseeing program.Â
Getting the Most From Three Days
A long weekend in the Midlands is best when each day has a particular theme, rather than trying to incorporate too many varied aspects. The first day travelers arrive, they find their way into the base location and investigate the immediate surroundings. The second day can be devoted to the loftiest goal of the break, be it Birmingham, the Peak District, or Shakespeare country. The third goes back to something from the first day, looks at the Midlands with fresh eyes, and then takes a relaxed departure. This plan makes the best use of the time at their disposal without giving the impression of haste which too ambitious itineraries always give, and it leaves the Midlands as a place the traveller knows and wishes to visit again.
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