Like the rest of England, the Heart of England is charmingly individual, but the bonus is that the Heart of England is at the hub of Britain’s road network, so exploring every last bit of it is made very easy!

Take some time to visit the Cotswolds, taking in the many honey-coloured villages. The potteries of Staffordshire to the north of the region are juxtaposed with Shakespeare’s Stratford-on-Avon and the nearby lesser-known parts of Warwickshire. Close by lies the Black Country, and a visit here will reveal a rich seam of art, crafts, tradition and culture with modern architectural design sitting alongside villages from the Victorian era.

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.

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

Herefordshire is a county that has a rich landscape with rolling hills, interesting rivers and acres of woodland for visitors to enjoy. 

Herefordshire is not all about landscape.

The built environment has been here for centuries, from the Black and White timbered houses that can be found all around Herefordshire, to the famous Norman Cathedral in the city of Hereford, where you can discover the oldest map of the World, the Mappa Mundi and the Chained Library. Many castles can also be found on high ground, built to safeguard the county many centuries ago.

Shropshire may be one of England's quiet counties, but don't be deceived, there's still plenty to see and do.

Shropshire has over 90 places to visit: historic houses and castle with beautiful gardens, the famous World Heritage Site of Ironbridge, museums and family attractions. Shropshire has many traditional market towns, including gourmet Ludlow and the county town of Shrewsbury. Shrewsbury, almost surrounded by the River Severn and birthplace of Charles Darwin, is a medieval delight of black and white buildings.

The Shropshire landscape reflects the fact that Shropshire is geologically unique and creates the special habitats that ensures that Shropshire wildlife is so diverse. All this adds up to making Shropshire great walking country.

Stunning countryside, miles of inland waterways and a host of world famous attractions combine to make Staffordshire stand out from the rest. It's capital, Stoke-on-Trent, is the birthplace of English Ceramics, known affectionately the world over as The Potteries. Explore the Peak District, ideal for leisure and activity holidays – from the spectacular crags and dales of the Staffordshire Moorlands to the sweeping panoramas of the White Peak, you'll find ample opportunity for walking, hiking and cycling, or the more daring challenges of rock climbing, caving and hang gliding.

Enjoy the traditional bustle of this classic county town, Stafford, brimming with a magnificent array of architectural, cultural and entertainment attractions. Nearby you'll find the 18th-century mansion, Shugborough, one of a rich collection of historic houses and home to Royal photographer, Earl Patrick Lichfield.  The brewing capital of England, Burton-upon-Trent has been producing Britain's ales for hundreds of years; a visit to the Bass Museum will take you behind the scenes of the story of beer and brewing.

For sheer breathtaking exhilaration there is Britain's number one attraction, Alton Towers. Nestling in beautiful countryside, it has more than 125 rides and attractions for all the family, beautifully landscaped into magnificent gardens. And for more horticultural delights, visit the Dorothy Clive Garden, Bridgemere Garden World or Byrkley Park – or seek out the Victorian gardens of Biddulph Grange, a truly unique national treasure. 

The historic town of Warwick is best known for its magnificent castle, home to generations of the all-powerful Earls of Warwick, including the 13th Earl, executioner of Joan of Arc. A magnificent fortress towering over the banks of the River Avon, on a site first fortified by William the Conqueror in 1068, Warwick Castle is quite simply one of the finest medieval castle in England surrounded by stories and intrigue which make it a popular attraction.

Kenilworth, just north of Warwick, has an excellent choice of restaurants and small shops. It too has a castle – described as England's most romantic ruin as it was here that Queen Elizabeth I was lavishly entertained by her favourite, Robert Dudley. Within easy reach of both Warwick and Kenilworth lies the fashionable town of Royal Leamington Spa. The range and quality of shops is excellent. Make sure you visit the Royal Pump Rooms to taste the spa water which made this town famous.

Any place that can count St George the dragon slayer, fair Lady Godiva and jet pioneer Frank Whittle as locals must have quite a story to tell. And Coventry's is like no other. Six hundred years ago it ranked fourth among England's cities and it still possesses the monuments of that glorious past – one of the country's finest medieval guildhalls, almshouses and monastic foundations, timber-framed shops and pubs.

Beautifully situated on the River Avon, Stratford has a number of attractions linked to its famous son. Discover the town in which Shakespeare was born and grew up, where he gained inspiration for his work and even where he used to poach deer! A stroll along the River Avon will lead you to Holy Trinity Church – Shakespeare's final resting place. Stratford has many other attractions including Guide Friday, The Butterfly Farm and Cox's Yard.

For a visitor to Warwickshire, the area offers the best of town and country – not one but two world renowned motor museums, Britain's national organic garden and a living Roman fort, canals and country churches, great houses and battlefields. The surrounding countryside has six fascinating and historical National Trust houses and gardens, including Hidcote Manor and Charlecote Park, with their recent restoration work and exciting new discoveries.

The West Midlands is a varied and interesting region, which encompasses Birmingham, Bournville, Coventry, the Black Country, Solihull and Wolverhampton

Birmingham is a diverse city with a fascinating history and a world-class cultural scene. The city hosts major international events and exhibitions and offers award-winning restaurants, superb shops and an exciting nightlife. The nearby village of Bournville was built by the chocolate manufacturer, George Cadbury. Full of history and home to some fascinating buildings, the village is a short walk from the popular Cadbury World tourist attraction.

Coventry is famous for Lady Godiva, who rode naked through the streets of the city, and for St George the dragon-slayer. Latter-day attractions include beautiful parks and buildings, terrific bars and great restaurants and shopping facilities. The Black Country is 30 minutes from Birmingham International Airport and consists of historic towns steeped in tradition and situated amid lovely, green countryside

Solihull is another destination oozing heritage, with its beautifully preserved 15th century Manor House and medieval parish church One of the UK’s new Millennium Cities, Wolverhampton has a wealth of attractions, heritage and facilities for all types of visitors. Attractions include Bantock House and Park, Moseley Old Hall, Wolverhampton Art Gallery and an all-weather racecourse.

Nestling between the Cotswolds, Shakespeare's Country and the Welsh Marches, the beautiful unspoilt county of Worcestershire offers a mixture of rolling countryside with acres of fruit orchards, the Malvern Hills, riverside towns, picturesque villages and the cathedral city of Worcester. Fine churches, historic buildings, a thriving arts scene with internationally acclaimed festivals and events, many featuring the works of Edward Elgar and superb shopping – you will find them all in Worcestershire, the county which is home to Malvern Water, Worcester Sauce and the Morgan Sports Car!

The city of Worcester lies in the centre of the county – here you can tour the Royal Worcester Factory, Visitor Centre and the Museum of the Commandery, a medieval building with displays covering its 1,000 years history and its pivotal role in England's civil war. 2001 will commemorate the 350th anniversary of the famous Battle of Worcester.

To the north, Avoncroft Museum of Buildings at Bromsgrove provides a wonderful insight into seven centuries of English history, whilst in Wyre Forest Britain's premier steam railway, The Severn Valley, provides some of the best riverside scenery in the country. South of Worcester lies the Vale of Evesham, noted for its soft fruits. The Spring Blossom Trail is a must if you want to experience some of the most captivating sights in the county and Broadway at the foot of the Cotswold Hills.

No visit to Worcestershire would be complete without a visit to the Victorian spa towns of Droitwich in the north and Malvern which nestles at the side of the Malvern Hills – enjoy the invigorating air or take in a performance at the new Malvern Theatres which has first-class professional productions.

Take time to visit Worcestershire and enjoy the diverse attractions of this traditional, unspoilt county.