The central cluster of counties of the Heart of England form some much cherished rural countryside, historic Stately Homes and delightful timber fronted towns.
This central area includes the Cotswolds a truly timeless part of little England. A collection of undulating low hills, punctuated by quaintly named villages of Chippings and Slaughters made up of charcterful golden sandstone cottages, the Cotswolds are the archetypal English rural setting. Also in Gloucestershire is the splendid Georgian Spa town of Cheltenham, host to the famous Cheltenham Gold Cup, a prestigious horse race.
Just north of the Cotswolds is Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of the Bard, William Shakespeare. Stratford is a bustling town, set with attractive timber fronted buildings on the banks of the River Avon and attractions millions of pilgrims each year to the Elizabethan house Shakespeare was born in and the town in which he grew up. Close by is the affluent town of Royal Leamington Spa and the mighty Warwick Castle a place where medieval fantasy is turned to reality.
Along the borders with Wales are the gentle sweeping Marcher counties of Herefordshire and Shropshire with a succession of timber fronted Tudor towns such as Ross-on-Wye, Hereford, Ludlow and Shrewsbury, imposing medieval Cathedrals and Castles and charming rural villages and market towns. Deep within the Shropshire Hills, Ironbridge Gorge, boasts the first bridge made of iron in the world, a proud World Heritage Site within a gentle country setting.
Further north the Heart of England encompasses the Potteries of Stoke on Trent, famous for their Doulton and Wedgwood ceramics and also the dramatic and atmospheric landscape of the Peak District. A fascinating place of remote villages, precipitous rocks, underground caves and ancient springs and dignified stately homes such as Chatsworth House.
Out in the eastern part of the region is the elegant cathedral town of Lincoln. This 12th Century cathedral is the best located of any in Britain, situated on a steep hill overlooking the flat Lincolnshire countryside, the three gothic towers of Lincoln Cathedral dominate the landscape for far and wide.
|
|
|
