The Midlands
RUTLAND
For a small county, Rutland has the largest man-made lake in Europe – Rutland Water. It is set in over 3,000 acres of countryside with walking and cycle routes galore. There are watersports, a man-made beach, nature reserves, a historic church, mini golf and cafés and restaurants.
Rutland Caravan and Camping is a 15-minute drive from Rutland Water. A site with both adults-only and family areas, it’s set on the edge of pretty Greetham village where you can pick up the Viking Way longdistance footpath. You can also explore the traditional market town of Oakham with its medieval buildings and independent shops.
HEREFORDSHIRE
Herefordshire is well-known for its towns with medieval black and white buildings. Leominster is a market town on the River Lugg with many antiques shops. In Pembridge, every street contains medieval buildings. It’s also where you’ll find Townsend Touring Park with its lake, woodland trails and farm shop.
Two miles away is Westonbury Mill Water Gardens, which surround an old corn mill, with many follies and a network of streams, and the world’s largest water-powered cuckoo clock. Of course, the county’s city, Hereford, is worth a visit to see more halftimbered buildings and the cathedral, home of the Mappa Mundi – a map of the world from over 700 years ago.
SHROPSHIRE
The county town of Shropshire, Shrewsbury, where Charles Darwin was born, has over 600 listed buildings, an abbey, a castle and The Quarry – a 29-acre parkland with a landscaped garden and water features.
At one of Shropshire’s top attractions, Ironbridge Gorge, you can walk across the River Severn on the first ever cast-iron bridge. The gorge also houses many museums including the open-air Blists Hill Victorian Town. For stretching the legs, head to the Shropshire Hills. This Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has walking routes through pastures, meadows and ancient woodland. For a relaxing site to base yourself on, try adults-only Beaconsfield Holiday Park.
WARWICKSHIRE
Somers Wood Caravan Park is an adults-only, all-year site between Birmingham and Coventry and the closest site to the NEC for any shows or exhibitions taking place.
It’s also only 30 minutes from Warwick Castle and Stratford-uponAvon. The latter is known as the birthplace of Shakespeare and is home to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre alongside the banks of the river. There is also a racecourse if you should fancy a day out for a flutter on the horses.