Central England Area Guide

Central England is a large area covering the middle of the country, including both the East Midlands and West Midlands. There’s no standard definition for which counties are included within the boundaries of Central England, with some of the outer edges blending into other areas and sharing many of their characteristics.

For ease of definition, Pitchup’s Central England region covers 18 counties: Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Derbyshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Hertfordshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Rutland, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Worcestershire.

Major cities in Central England include Birmingham, Nottingham, Oxford, Leicester, Coventry, Derby, Wolverhampton, Worcester and Stoke-on-Trent. Alongside several National Landscapes (formerly Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty), the region is renowned for its industrial heritage, with an extensive network of canals to explore and a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 

Top attractions in Central England

Stratford-upon-Avon

The medieval market town of Stratford-upon-Avon was the birthplace of William Shakespeare, arguably England’s most famous literary figure. On a trip here you can trace the Bard’s life through visits to the house where he was born and the home of Anne Hathaway, his future wife, as well as several other attractions dedicated to his life and work. You can also catch one of his plays (as well as contemporary productions) produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company at the riverside Royal Shakespeare Theatre, the Swan Theatre or The Other Place.

The town itself, dotted with historic Tudor buildings, is a treat to explore on foot, with Shakespeare-themed walking tours, two weekly markets and costumed street entertainers. Meanwhile, the area around the riverside and the nearby canal basin is a great place for a picnic, a walk or a boat trip. 

Warwick 

Warwick is most famous for its glorious castle, an imposing 11th-century bastion set in 64 acres of parkland beside the River Avon. It’s a fabulous attraction for families and historians, and on a day out you can wander the battlements, explore the grand State Rooms, the Great Hall and the dungeons, and discover a fascinating collection of medieval arms and armour. A wide-ranging annual programme of shows and events includes jousting and falconry displays, and the dramatic firing of the replica trebuchet – a catapult that flings fireballs over the castle grounds.

The town itself is home to Georgian and timber-framed Tudor buildings, and the 12th-century Collegiate Church of St Mary, where you can climb the tower for panoramic views over the surrounding countryside and admire an impressive array of stained glass. Take a stroll beside the river in St Nicholas’ Park, or take to the water in a rowing boat, a pedalo or a kayak for great views of the castle.

Oxford

Oxford is most famous for its prestigious university which, at more than 900 years old, is the oldest in the English-speaking world. The legacy of this august institution is evident through some stunning architecture, from the historic university colleges to libraries and museums, and has led to the nickname ‘The City of Dreaming Spires’. Many of these beautiful buildings are open to the public, including colleges like Christ Church, Magdalen and New College, the striking circular Radcliffe Camera library, and fascinating museums such as the Ashmolean and the Pitt Rivers, which are both free to visit.

Just walking around Oxford is an experience in itself, and the pedestrian-friendly city centre is home to numerous shops, including some superb bookshops (naturally), historic pubs and thriving cultural institutions. If you’d like a taste of what it’s like to be a student here, we’d suggest a visit to the botanic gardens, renting a punt to pilot your way along the River Cherwell, or just a walk along the Thames at Port Meadow, where you’ll also come across some great places to stop for lunch.

Scenic countryside in Central England

For those who love the countryside, Central England is blessed with several National Landscapes (once known as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty), including:

• The Malvern Hills (Worcestershire) – a striking range of hills with panoramic views of the Severn Valley, popular with walkers and renowned for their natural spring water.

• The Cotswolds (Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire, and stretching into South West England) – England’s largest National Landscape, known for its green rolling hills and cute villages full of classic cottages.

• Cannock Chase (Staffordshire) – heathland, forest and ancient woodland, beloved of hikers, horse riders and mountain bikers.

• The Wye Valley (Herefordshire) – gorgeous landscapes around the River Wye, on the border with Wales, known for kayaking and canoeing trips and the stunning ruins of medieval Tintern Abbey.

• The Lincolnshire Wolds – fertile agricultural land and rolling chalk hills dotted with pretty stone villages, traversed by the long-distance Wolds Way.

• The Shropshire Hills – dotted with Iron Age hill forts and ancient earthworks like 8th-century Offa’s Dyke, with superb views of Shropshire, the Malvern Hills and the Welsh mountains from Clee Hill, the Long Mynd and The Wrekin.

• The Cotswolds – renowned for its rolling hills, honey-coloured limestone architecture, historic ‘wool churches’ and charming market towns, the northern parts of this National Landscape extend into both Warwickshire and Worcestershire.

Central England is also home to the Peak District National Park (mostly in Derbyshire but also stretching into several other counties). Britain’s first national park is a rugged area of wild peaks and moorland popular with hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, who flock here to enjoy rock climbing, white-water rafting, mountain biking and paragliding. This beautiful area is peppered with ‘show caves’ and caverns to explore, notably around Castleton and the Hope Valley, and home to historic landmarks like Grade I listed Chatsworth House and medieval Haddon Hall.

If you’d like to learn more about everything to see here, check out Pitchup’s guide to the Peak District National Park.

Last but not least, although Central England is largely landlocked, it does have some coastal access – most notably at Skegness (in Lincolnshire), a classic traditional resort with five miles of sand, a pier, a pleasure beach and all your favourite seaside attractions.

Cultural highlights of Central England

Central England played a pivotal role in the Industrial Revolution, and the legacy of this includes several fascinating former industrial sites to discover. 

Industrial heritage

• Derwent Valley Mills (Derbyshire) – a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its 18th- and 19th-century cotton mills, which gave birth to the modern factory system. The Cromford Mills, where Richard Arkwright built the world’s first water-powered cotton spinning mill, provide a fascinating introduction to the crucial role the area played in Britain’s industrial history.

• Ironbridge Gorge (Shropshire) – known as the ‘cradle of the industrial revolution’, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is now a living history attraction where you can explore 10 museums, see the world’s first iron bridge (which gave the area its name), and wander the streets of a recreated Victorian town complete with shops, homes and original industrial buildings.

• The Black Country Living Museum – this fascinating open-air museum in Dudley brings history to life with relocated shops, houses and industrial buildings, costumed characters, the chance to ride in heritage vehicles, and industrial demonstrations including a trip into an underground coal mine.

• Staffordshire potteries – factory tours, visitor centres and museums that explore the region’s role at the heart of Britain’s ceramics industry.

Leicester

An intriguing blend of ancient and modern, Leicester has much to offer if you’re curious about English history or modern science. The King Richard III Visitor Centre traces the story of the discovery of the monarch’s remains at the site of the former Greyfriars Church here in 2012, and you can visit the tomb where he was reinterred in 2015 at nearby Leicester Cathedral.

Budding astronauts will love the National Space Centre, where exhibits include space suits, meteorites, rockets and satellites. Interactive galleries trace the history of space exploration and the UK’s largest planetarium brings the cosmos to life in spectacular full-dome shows. Belgrave Road, known as ‘The Golden Mile’, is the focus for the city’s prominent Asian community and a great place to sample some delicious pan-Indian cuisine, while the city’s many waterways are fun to explore on foot, by boat or by bike. 

Lincoln

Lincoln is home to a handsome 11th-century cathedral that was once the world’s tallest building and is renowned for its Gothic architecture. Guided tours here reveal secrets of the building’s history and architectural symbolism, and you can climb the steps into the roof for fabulous views from the building’s West Front. Built around the same time, nearby Lincoln Castle is the owner of one of only four original copies of the Magna Carta. It's also got towers, dungeons and a former Victorian prison to explore, and offers great views of the city and the cathedral on a walk around its medieval walls.

The rest of the city is easy to cover on foot, and has lots to discover including Roman remains, the cobbled streets and medieval architecture of the historic quarter around Steep Hill and a beautiful restored 19th-century arboretum.

There are many more great places to discover in Central England – if you’re planning a trip here, don’t forget to check out Ludlow Castle in Shropshire, the UNESCO-listed Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, and Coventry’s stunning modern cathedral, built alongside the ruins of its 14th-century predecessor. And if you've always wanted to ride on a steam train, the Severn Valley Steam Railway in Worcestershire can make your dreams come true.

Whether you want to explore medieval castles, trace Britain’s industrial history, immerse yourself in the world of Shakespeare or escape to some glorious countryside, Central England has a place for you. If you’d like to soak up the scenery of this area by day and night, check out Pitchup’s best campsites in Central England, with more than 650 sites to choose from.