Sunday, September 25, 2011

England's West Midlands Has Much To Offer Tourists

By Mark Walters


In England, there is a region of the country known as the Midlands. The western half of this area is appropriately named the West Midlands. Birmingham, the second most populous British city finds a home in this region, as do scenic rivers and parks. The West Midlands are seen by many as an industrial location, and this is certainly true, but there are plenty of things to see and do around the West Midlands in England.

The River Severn possesses the distinction as the longest river in the United Kingdom, and it flows through a particularly quaint locale known as Ironbridge Gorge. This land also happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was previously named the Severn Gorge until its name was changed to reflect the iron bridge that was built in the ravine. This bridge was the first of its kind in the world. The pleasant woodlands and grasslands that are found here will appeal to visitors wishing to take a calming stroll.

Another scenic destination around the West Midlands is Peak District National Park. It was designated as such in 1951, making it the first national park in the British Isles. Heather grows in the moors and blanket bog ecologies are just a couple of the features of the park that make it so attractive. The Pennine Way is also found in the park, the first long distance footpath in the United Kingdom. Visitors will also want to take advantage of the outdoor activities found in Peak District such as paragliding from Mam Tor and mountain biking along the trails.

No stop in the West Midlands would be complete for sports fans without taking in a football match featuring one of the region's popular football clubs like Aston Villa FC and Birmingham City FC. If sports is not your cup of tea, then a trip to the Thinktank Planetarium in Birmingham might be what you are looking for. It is the first purpose-built digital planetarium in the UK and it happens to feature some breathtaking laser light shows.

The West Midlands is a rather diverse area. Though still a land of manufacturing and building, this now post-industrial region features attractions for the nature lover as well as the sports fan. Best of all, once the day is done, there are any number of pubs in which to relax with a pint after all of your travels. Above all, a trip to the West Midlands is one of the most authentic trips vacationers can take in all of England.




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