The Midlands
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Four Counties Ring – Part 4 Completing the Circle
On entering the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal at Autherley Junction the character of the waterway changes once again. First, Pendeford Rockin, a narrow cutting with passing places through a rocky outcrop, then meandering with evenly spaced locks. We found this section of the canal to be very attractive with its many arched bridges. Slightly further on we came across…
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The Four Counties Ring – Part 3: Cheshire, Shropshire and the West Midlands
Continuing our canal boat holiday around the Four Counties Ring from Nantwich, the Shropshire Union mainline canal journeys south leaving Cheshire after Audlem and then follows the Shropshire/Staffordshire border to the outskirts of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands. The Shropshire Union Canal (affectionately referred to as the Shroppie) was completed in 1835 and played a…
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Narrowboating on The Four Counties Ring – Part 2 Cheshire
Shortly after our passage through the Harecastle Tunnel we left Staffordshire behind and continued into Cheshire. It was to be a busy day as we approached the summit of Heartbreak Hill which is aptly named as the canal descends from the summit via 31 locks over 12 miles, meaning lots of work for us boaters!…
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Narrowboating on The Four Counties Ring – Part 1 Staffordshire
Day One: After enjoying short break boating holidays over the previous two years we were definitely hooked and ready for a bigger challenge. The idea of following a ‘ring’ appealed to us instead of a ‘there and back’ boat trip where you need to turn the boat round and retrace your steps mid-way. A ring…
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A Day at World of Wedgwood
World of Wedgwood is an award winning tourist attraction set in 240 acres of countryside in the village of Barlaston, Staffordshire. The area is known as ‘The Potteries’ and is home to the world famous Wedgwood brand, a company is steeped in rich heritage. Spanning over 260 wonderful years, Wedgwood continues today to be renowned…
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Review: The Pilsley Inn, Derbyshire
Hotel Review Location: The Pilsley Inn located on the scenic Chatsworth Estate owned by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, in the picturesque village of Pilsley, Derbyshire. The hotel is easily accessible by car being just 16 miles from the M1 motorway and a 40 minute drive from Sheffield. The nearest rail station is Chesterfield…
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Travel Guide: Coventry
Getting there: Coventry is the perfect destination for a city break as it’s easy to get to and close to the motorway network. If you’re arriving by car I suggest parking at the newly opened station multi-storey car park as its only £8 per 24 hours and just a few minutes walk from the main…
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The Fleece Inn, Bretforton
Hotel Review: The Fleece Inn is a historic pub that was originally built in the early 15th century by a farmer named Byrd and remained in the same family ownership until 1977. The last of the descendants was Miss Lola Taplin who bequeathed the pub to the National Trust after she passed away in 1977.…
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Celebrating 50 years of the Heights of Abraham
The Heights of Abraham is Derbyshire’s oldest tourist attraction first opening to the public in 1787. Since 1974 it has been owned by the Pugh family who commenced a period of much needed restoration across the 60 acre site sympathetic to the historical importance of the estate. 2024 is actually a double celebratory year for…
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Review: Hotel Indigo Coventry
Hotel Review: Hotel Indigo Coventry opened in January 2024 after the completion of a multi million pound project which is part of a wider Friargate regeneration initiative. This stunning new-build property is defined by its striking silver and blue cladding in shades of metallic blue drawing on the city’s history. In Medieval times Coventry was one of the country’s most…
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The British Asparagus Festival 2024
Asparagus is a highly regarded vegetable grown in the Vale of Evesham and celebrated in style with an annual festival. This part of rural Worcestershire benefits from perfect growing conditions with asparagus being widely available from late April to late June. Location: The Vale of Evesham is located in Worcestershire, West Midlands 14 miles south-east…
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Review: CASA Hotel, Chesterfield
Hotel Review Location: The CASA Hotel is one of Derbyshire’s leading four star hotels and is conveniently located on the outskirts of Chesterfield, 6 miles from Junction 29 of the M1 motorway. For guests arriving into Chesterfield by train, East Midlands Railway offer regular services to the town from Norwich, London, Sheffield, Nottingham and Leeds. The…
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Heights of Abraham and Crich Tramway Village
There are no end of lovely things to see and do in Derbyshire and we’d saved two of the Peak District’s top attractions for our final day. Our morning started with a 25 minute journey to Matlock Bath to visit the Heights of Abraham hilltop estate. Parking is available at the nearby railway station and…
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Barrow Hill Roundhouse and a Chesterfield canal cruise
After enjoying a delicious breakfast of eggs benedict at the CASA Hotel in Chesterfield it was just a three mile drive to the Barrow Hill Roundhouse Museum at Staveley. This 19th Century Grade II listed building is the last remaining operational railway roundhouse in the United Kingdom. The Roundhouse was constructed in 1870 by the…
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Hardwick Hall and Chesterfield, Derbyshire
I’ve enjoyed numerous weekends in the beautiful Derbyshire Peak District but this was the first time that I’d had an opportunity to visit during the warmer, summer months. We made an early start one Saturday in July and after travelling down the M1 in bright sunshine we arrived at Hardwick Hall just as it was…
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Review: The Wood Norton Hotel, Evesham
Hotel Review History of Wood Norton: The Wood Norton Hall dates back to medieval times with its past owners including Edward Holland (the local Liberal MP), the Duc D’Aumale of the Bourbon-Orleans family and the BBC. Shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War, the BBC bought the site to relocate its broadcasting operations…
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Travel Guide: The Malverns, Worcestershire
Nestled at the foot of the Malvern Hills, the Victorian spa town of Malvern has long been a popular tourist destination with visitors travelling from far and wide to take the Malvern spring water for medicinal purposes. After hearing so many nice things about the town we decided it was time to take a look…
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The Three Counties Show, Malvern
I’m a huge fan of country shows having been a regular visitor to The Great Yorkshire Show and was absolutely delighted to be invited along to the Royal Three Counties Show in Malvern, Worcestershire which takes places annually, over three days each June. Getting there: By road: from the north, take Junction 7 from the…
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Nottingham – the ultimate weekend guide
Nottingham – the perfect weekend away Nottingham is often referred to as the ‘Queen of the East Midlands’ as the English Kings held court there when they went hunting in its surrounding forests. It’s famous for the legendary Robin Hood, lace making and much more. We’ve just returned from a fabulous short break so why…
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The British Asparagus Festival, Vale of Evesham
Asparagus is a highly regarded vegetable grown in the Vale of Evesham and celebrated in style with an annual festival. This part of rural Worcestershire benefits from perfect growing conditions with asparagus being widely available from late April to late June. Getting there: The Vale of Evesham is located in Worcestershire, West Midlands 14 miles…
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The Vale of Evesham Blossom Trail
The Vale of Evesham in rural Worcestershire has been famous for fruit and vegetable growing since medieval times with the delicate blossom from its fruit trees giving stunning displays between mid-March and mid-May. The Blossom Trail stretches for 55 miles with AA yellow signposts marking the way. Japan might have its Sakura but by visiting…
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Review: Peak Edge Hotel, near Chesterfield, Derbyshire
Overview: The hotel’s history began way back in 1788 as a small pub known as the Red Lion on the edge of the Derbyshire Peak District. The current owner Steve Perez used to live there as a child as his father restored the pub back in 1966. In 2018 Steve bought back the property adding…
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Matlock Farm Park
After enjoying a leisurely breakfast at the Peak Edge Hotel we checked out saying goodbye to the friendly staff who had looked after us during our stay. With our luggage packed in the car we left the hotel at 10.30 a.m. and drove the short distance to Matlock Farm Park. This family oriented park is an…
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Denby Pottery Village and Thornbridge Brewery, Derbyshire
After a good night’s sleep at the Peak Edge Hotel, we popped down to the restaurant to enjoy a leisurely breakfast. I couldn’t resist my favourite of smashed avocado and poached eggs on toast whilst my husband started the day with a Derbyshire which also looked delicious. Two cappuccinos later and we were ready to start…
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