Heart of England Sightseeing, Attractions & Activities Guide

packed with over 1000 years of history and set in splendid grounds, there is plenty to see and do including State Rooms, dungeons and falconry

the most visited theme park in the UK with thrilling rides, an indoor and outdoor waterpark, 2 nine hole themed crazy golf courses and much more

set just outside Stratford-upon-Avon, the world famous cottage, with much original furniture, where Shakespeare courted Anne Hathaway

herbaceous borders, over 80 heritage pear and apple trees, over 100 varieties of snowdrops, display of antique garden equipment, children's garden and a garden trail for younger visitors. Truly, something for everyone

explore the birthplace and family home of William Shakespeare, hear tales of contemporary family life, with rare artefacts from the Trust

open for over 35 years, this ever popular farm park invites children to help feed the animals and can hold a newly hatched chick or duckling

covering a wide range of artists including Botticelli, Turner and Monet, all beautifully displayed with state of the art lighting

experience an evocative and intimate insight into living in Back to Back housing from the1840s to the 19790s

a 15 acre oasis of delight. Designed by J. C. Loudon, a leading garden planner, horticultural journalist and publisher, the gardens were opened in 1832. Today, you will find beauty, peace and tranquility

vast collections, telling the story of the last 400,000 years of history. The art galleries include the world-famous Pre-Raphaelite collection, the largest in the country

part of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, where all the staff dress in period costume, with a host of restored Victorian buildings including shops, factories and schools

Uncover a world of chocolate delights and enjoy a fascinating, fun-packed family day out dedicated to the story of Cadbury and chocolate

set on the edge of the Black Country, a green oasis with panoramic views, geocaching, and perfect picnic spots

visit this modern masterpiece designed by Sir Basil Spence with the iconic tapestry by Graham Sutherland and the magnificent stained glass windows by John Piper

opened in 1980, the current collection of vehicles is acknowledged as one of the finest in the world, and the largest in public ownership

a secret, wartime airbase now a museum and visitor centre, restored parkland great for walking and with the 18th Century mansion at its centre

stretching across 3,000 acres of ancient woodland, steeped in history, but with delightful contrasts from the picturesque dingle to the remarkable pieces by Moore and Matisse

a classic lat 18th Century mansion with political, wall paintings by Sir Jame Thornhill and extensive, relaxed gardens and parkland

started in 1922 with 63 acres to explore including a magnificent Magnolia Walk, bluebell woods, with peonies and roses in the summer months. A chain of 7 lakes has been surrounded with rare trees and shrubs

founded in 1973 to preserve the history of cider making. The extensive collection includes cider mills, presses and advertising memorabilia

part of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, this is a good place to start your visit which gives an interactive overview of all the World Heritage Site

a perfectly preserved jewellers' workshop, where the hand-crafting techniques used would be instantly familiar to the jewellers' of Ancient Egypt, Rome or Medieval Europe

with 12 individual gardens depicting countries from around the world, fantasy and culture and Greek mythology. Rare plant fairs, Christmas Food and Craft Market with summer theatre productions. Home grown produce used in the excellent restaurant

set around Rudyard Lake, this narrow gauge railway runs throughout the year. The Lake is a family centre for picnics, sailing, boating, walking and fishing

the ancestral home of Patrick Lichfield, the fashion photographer, a glamorous estate mansion with sweeping parkland and a natural play area for children

designed by Sir Roy Strong and his late wife, stretching over 4 acres, these innovative gardens reflect their interest in the arts and weaves the story of their marriage and lives into them. Picnics are welcome

this award winning science museum, offers an enlightening and fun packed day out for the family with over 200 hands-on displays on science and technology

offering a range of activities and attractions. A petting farmyard, a range of craft shops, children's playground and a train ride round the site

a handsome Georgian mansion with a fine collection of antiques and objets d'art, including the Charles Paget Wade Costume Collection

a former Victorian masterpiece with plants and fossils from all over the world with a quirky look at botany, geology and the owner's religious convictions

home of the Lucy family for over 900 years and reputedly where Shakespeare was caught poaching, it is filled with treasures collected from around the world

part of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, including the national collections of Caughley and Coalport china and where demonstration workshops are given

set in classical parkland landscaped by Capability Brown, now with an adventure playground, this period mansion is also a world class art gallery

this Elizabethan moated Manor House was a catholic retreat during the Reformation and boasts a wealth of priests holes and a pretty knot garden

with a wide range of wild and farm animals, including sheep racing! With indoor and outdoor children's activities

part of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, illustrating how ground breaking, Victorian technology smelt iron with coke resulting in the world's first iron bridge

using the latest developments in virtual reality, this groundbreaking show reveals the man behind the well-known face

the home of artist and architect Charles Wade, this Manor House houses an eclectic collection of curios, celebrating colour, craftsmanship and design

Telford Steam Railway is a preserved railway operated by a small and friendly team of volunteers and includes a tram way and model railway

uncover the history of the Potteries including the world's greatest collection of Staffordshire ceramics and a Fine Art collection of Impressionist paintings

set in a glorious rural environment, a unique opportunity for a close encounter with many rare, miniature and special friendly animals

un unparalleled opportunity to see the world famous Wedgwood production facility at close quarters including a varied children's programme

surrounded by a beautiful landscaped deer park, this elegant country house has had its fortunes rise and fall; this is still visible in the building today

set amid the Staffordshire Moorlands, Blackbrook Zoological Park is one of the largest and varied collections of some of the most rare and endangered species of birds in the world and includes a collection of small mammals and reptiles

site of the Battle of Bosworth between Richard III and Henry Tudor in 1485 with many interactive exhibits explaining this significant battle

the shelves and workbenches are full of original stock and tools of the trade, including the fittings for the funerals for Winston Churchill and the Queen Mother

surrounded by 1500 acres of ancient woodland, this historic castle has had many ups and downs. Rescued in the 1920s, it is now full of the Croft family memorabilia

dating back to the fourteenth century with a recent up date in the twentieth, this majestic castle is surrounded by lovely gardens

discover surprisingly cosy homes carved into the rock. Walk across Kinver Edge, buzzing with wildlife. Quirky tea room inside a rock house

the knowledgable guides explain the techniques of the past and present with an opportunity to see skilled artists at work

a full-size standard-gauge railway line, running regular, mainly steam-hauled, passenger trains, mostly run by volunteers

tucked away in a quiet part of Shropshire built between 1284 and 1293 by Bishop Burnell, Edward I's Lord Chancellor. The first parliaments were held here

housed in a historic and unusual 18th century Butcher's Shambles, providing a fascinating insight into the growth and trades of the town, the lives of its people and local crafts

Boscobel House and its Royal Oak tree became famous as hiding places of King Charles II after defeat at the Battle of Worcester in 1651. After Charles’s visit Boscobel remained a working farm, and today you can visit the lodge, farmyard, gardens

dating from Saxon times, this impressive cathedral is home to the Mappa Mundi, a thirteenth Century interpretation of the world, both physically and spiritually

a fascinating insight into the life, music friends and family of Edward Elgar, famous composer whose masterpieces include Pomp and Circumstance March

the iconic bridge is one of Shropshire's most famous landmark and the world's first iron bridge, recently undergone a conservation project