Now that the New Year is here, many of us have had a hard couple of weeks back at work after the Christmas break. It’s those grey January mornings when thoughts turn to summer and where we can spend our holidays once the weather improves. Booking a holiday early in the year can be a bit of a challenge, especially in the wake of higher spending at Christmas time. You might want to consider staying a bit closer to home, and the English midlands offers a great deal to see and do. Here’s all you know for your perfect staycation.
Birmingham
The midlands stretches from Staffordshire to Herefordshire, and the biggest city in the whole area is Birmingham. Birmingham is in fact the second largest city in the UK and was once a massive centre of industry and manufacturing. Because of this, the city has long held a reputation of being very industrious and perhaps not the most interesting place to visit compared with the likes of London and Edinburgh. Today there is plenty to see and do thanks to planned extensive regeneration in the city centre. Expect to see big celebrations for Chinese New Year and the Jazz & Blues Festival.
Kinver Edge Rock Houses
Out in the Severn Valley, is the National Trust owned wooded area of Kinver Edge, which lies on the border of the Worcestershire and Staffordshire borders. Here you’ll see plenty of English wildlife including adders, lizards, Eurasian jays and woodpeckers, but there is even more to the landscape. Built into the side of the rocks is the Holy Austin Rock houses. These are a set of cave-houses that have been built into the sandstone itself, dating back to before the reformation. These unusual dwellings make the area worth visiting.
Sutton Coldfield
Back in the West Midlands is the medium sized town of Sutton Coldfield. The town is very different to the city of Birmingham as its population are recognised as being one of the most affluent in the entire country. There are lots of listed residential properties throughout the town that have been saved from being demolished. If you’re interested in learning more on the history, Peddimore Hall is well worth a visit. Fans of golf will be desperate to see the Belfry Hotel, which is home to the Ryder Cup course, the Barbazon.
West Midland Safari Park
While a trip to Namibia for safari might be beyond most of our budgets, you can get your own little slice of the African Savanna right here in the midlands. Just outside the town of Bewdley is the West Midland Safari and Leisure Park. The park has been proclaimed as being home to some of the most endangered species in the world. On the park’s safari tour you can come face to face with Zebra, rhino, buffalo, as well as cheetah and lions. You’ll likely forget that you’re in England when coming up against this lot!
There is so much to see and do in this often overlooked part of the country. Why not make your next holiday a trip to the English midlands?
