Last Updated on March 28, 2020 by Jess
"I was born and raised in about the middle of the Midlands as you can get in Solihull, I have not walked too far away from the university in Coventry and now in Redditch in Worcestershire, and it is ironic that one of my favorite things about The fact that I am in The Midlands is that it is so easily accessible everywhere in the country!
Although it is nice to look for the sea, there is much to do for the region. Which means that a local staycation is a great option, and it is a wonderful place to visit. There are many campers in the province, so you can pick up your van here, so you do not have to drive that far to go on vacation. That actually makes the time you get to spend even longer what you want to do. And, in case you were stuck for things to do, this handy blog gives you some ideas! "Naomi, owner of Wanda
These are Naomi's top 7 things to do in the Midlands.
The Malvern Hills
OK, I can not help it that the first thing I recommend is a walk! The Malvern Hills is classified as an area of outstanding natural beauty and has beautiful views over Worcestershire and Herefordshire. Do not be fooled by the description. The highest point of the hills is the Worcestershire Beacon at 425 meters (1,394 feet). So make sure you pack a lunch and prepare for heavy breathing to reach the top. But I promise that the views are worth it!
One of our favorite things to do in the Midlands is a walk that starts in Great Malvern. That is really a cool place to visit as a separate trip on behalf of countless independent shops, cafes and art galleries that you can enjoy with time. If you can stick to the hike, it is a really pleasant figure of eight about the Worcestershire Beacon and North Hill.
Baddesley Clinton
Watch all members of the National Trust!
The Midlands is completely overwhelmed with a whole host of National Trust properties to visit. Including Hanbury Hall, Packwood House, Chaddesley Corbett and Croome Court just to name a few. But Baddesley is definitely our favorite. And it's not just because of the cafe, honest.
A quick side note. It is certainly worth it to become a member of the National Trust for benefits other than access to many rural attractions. For example, you can often get access to parking, otherwise the audience is refused and it is often free! You will also receive a 15% discount at Cotswold Outdoors – a fact that has paid more than the annual fee in our household!
Baddesley Clinton has a fascinating history of property and tenants. Especially during the time of Queen Elizabeth I when he was or had Catholic priests, he was punished with death. Nevertheless, the house has some of the best examples of priest holes in the United Kingdom. Because the families who lived in the walls defended their faith defensively and came up with ingenious ways to help Jesuit priests who needed a place to hide!
And of course, no day would be complete without a walk of any description. So you can do a very flat five milter along the canal, with which Baddesley Clinton is actually connected to the nearby Packwood House.
Why are you Shakespeare?
Fun fact of the day. The word "therefore" as written by William Shakespeare actually means "why". So in the bar scene where Juliet pronounces that famous phrase, she actually complains about the fact that Romeo is part of the Montague family. Not curious where he is!
You can not really visit Stratford-upon-Avon without taking in one or two of the five houses associated with Shakespeare. The birthplace of Shakespeare is located in the center of the city, with Ann Hathaway's Cottage and Mary's Arden's Farm a short drive away. Regardless of the conspiracy theorists who want you to believe that Shakespeare was a corn merchant who was a front for the publication and execution of Francis Bacon's pieces, you would certainly be in the right place to see one at the Royal Shakespeare Theater where the gentlemen such as Sir Ian McKellan and Dame Judy Dench have entered the shelves. If there is a game, you will probably catch some of the actors in the pub "The Dirty Duck". It is often visited by actors, probably because of the excellent real beer.
Warwick Castle
Just on the road from Stratford-upon-Avon is the medieval city of Warwick. Although the city itself is quite small, it is full of quirky shops, great deli's and many, many traditional English tea parlors. Oh, and it has a castle!
Warwick Castle is owned by Merlin Entertainments, so if you have an annual card that allows you to visit other attractions such as LEGOLand or Alton Towers, you can use it here. Otherwise it is a ticket money.
It is worth the effort, however, because there are a number of super events to see. From jousting to a journey in the dungeons and also spending time walking along the towers and ramparts lost in your own imagination that you are a knight who defends the place against the invading dragons. Or that could just be me, undoubtedly helped by my obsession with Game of Thrones.
And if you have a highlight, take a look at the Collegiate Church of St. Mary, where you can climb the 134ft tower to be rewarded with an impressive view of the castle and the city.
Cannock Chase
Cannock Chase is the perfect location for adrenaline junkies who are looking for a place to get muddy with mountain bikes. Or go to the trees like Tarzan on GoApe, which has both a course for adults and a junior for smaller people.
There are many different sorted walks through the forest from one to twelve miles. So if you are looking for things to do in the Midlands and you have a mix of energy levels in your group, this can be a perfect solution! It is perfect for a more sedate family oriented day out and also crazy people swing themselves over the tracks on their bikes. That said, if you want to give it a try, you can really rent bikes if you are not prepared! Many of our vans have bicycle racks for rent as an extra. So if you want to bring your own, make sure you add it when you make your reservation.
This designated area with national beauty is located in Staffordshire so if you wanted to continue exploring this county with your adventurous hat, then The Roaches rock climbing is a must for anyone who has not cut his teeth (hopefully not literally) on gritstone!
The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds actually covers an area of 800 square miles. So for me to say "visit The Cotswolds" is probably a bit too vague! That said, you would be happy to stroll around for a week or so through the picturesque and beautiful villages that most people consider "traditional England" with white signs, local pubs and a W.I in every village house!
However, if I had to choose two highlights, I would choose Broadway and Bath.
Broadway is fairly close to Wanda in Worcestershire and is known for its association with the art and craft movement. Back to the National Trust offer, Snowshill Manor is a must-see because it houses an anthropological collection to match Pitt Rivers in Oxford! Well, not entirely, but the house is bursting with seams with artefacts spread over multiple eras, countries and cultures. There is a beautiful walk to Broadway Tower which you can round off in the super friendly village itself. With many dog friendly tea salons, one of the best is Tisanes Tea Rooms. That is the only place I have ever found with my favorite sandwiches with peanut butter, honey and banana on the menu!
Bath is of course best known for its Roman baths that are in such an amazingly preserved condition that you are warned, you will spend much longer than you expect! The city itself has a number of great independent shops to fiddle around. And probably helped by the student atmosphere, some great pubs and eateries!
Camping is located outside the city. But there are many park and ride facilities to let you in and out, so you do not have to worry about navigating through the sometimes narrow streets and bus-free zones. It is much easier to use that service.
Finally, I must recommend a visit to Thermae Spa for a bit of relaxation. But also because the open swimming pool on the roof offers a fantastic view of the city, regardless of the weather.
The Wye valley
It seems that the Midlands is flooded with areas of exceptional natural beauty. The Wye Valley is yet another to add to the list of things to do in the Midlands! It spans 58 miles and offers views of limestone gorges and deep ravine forests. And is also one of the best places for canoeing / kayaking in the UK. It offers sections of water at beginner level and is so shallow in places that you can get out and walk to the coast if you have had enough arguments about whose guilt you are in zigzag!
There are some beautiful campsites on the banks of the river that also offer canoes or kayak rentals for the day. So you do not have to figure out how to pick up your van after paddling downstream! Some of our vans also have kayaks for hire as part of their optional extras. So make sure that you check this when booking.
If you are wondering what the best time to visit is, consider taking your visit to the Wye River Festival coincide. It is a festival of two weeks, usually in May and although the next will only take place in 2020, it is never a big deal to plan so far!
Midlands Love In
I hope this has let you know that there is more to do in the Midlands than in the Bullring shopping center in Birmingham. And that there are actually a number of beautiful locations to explore in a campervan.
I know that I am prejudiced about life here and there, but I think the easy access to get here makes for a super easy journey. And there are so many options, whether you want a family-friendly relaxing holiday or a full active adventurous vacation.
View more of our blogs with advice on what to see and where to go in our quirky campers
The post 7 things to do in the Midlands first appeared on Quirky Campers.