Attractions
As you might expect of the land that gave birth to William Shakespeare, the Heart of England's cultural calendar is second to none; whether your taste is for the classical or contemporary, you'll find a wealth of arts festivals on offer all year round.
Discover lively theatres of every size staging musicals and comedies, classical productions and avant garde drama. Not to be missed, of course, is a trip to Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of the Bard, and home to three theatres and the world-renowned Royal Shakespeare Company; while for Shakespeare under the stars head for the Castle during the Ludlow Festival.
For the foot-tapping tempo of jazz, make your way to Worcestershire, where you'll find festivals at Bromsgrove in May and Upton-upon-Severn in June. Enjoy the best of the classics both indoors and out; there's music on the menu at Malvern with the 70th Anniversary of Eglar in June 2004. While some of the region's splendid houses and castles provide dramatic backdrops for open air concerts, evenings of classical music to a firework display and plays in the summer months.
Renowned for the cream of world-class entertainment, the region's capital city Birmingham boasts the highest concentration of live theatre outside London's West End. The vast National Exhibition Centre is home to an exciting program of rock, pop and arts events.
Built on industry, it's acclaimed for its thriving galleries, with a unique collection of Pre-Raphaelite art to the finest contemporary works. From the sounds of the celebrated City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra to the graceful steps of the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Bustling and cosmopolitan, these are just some of the delights waiting to tempt you here.
The Heart of England is also the birthplace of the composer Sir Edward Elgar in Lower Broadheath near Worcester and Dr Johnson in Lichfield and also where Elizabeth Barrett Browning lived in Ledbury - throughout the region you'll find examples galore of the rich artistic heritage.
Shropshire has many attractions to suit all tastes from the stunning scenery of the Long Mynd hills to the world famous heritage site of the Iron Bridge Gorge Museum. One of the largest counties in England it offers visitors an opportunity to delve into history visiting historic sites such as Wroxeter Roman city and many majestic castles including the 12th century Powis Castle, built by Welsh princes with its splendid gardens. Ludlow and Stokesay castles in the south of the county and Whittington and Chirk castles in the north west near Oswestry. Stokesay castle is England's most perfectly preserved 13th century fortified manor house.
The Norman Ludlow Castle dominating the medieval town of Ludlow overlooking the River Teme, Whittington Castle, reputedly the home f the famous pantomime character Dick Whittington, and Clun Castle on the Welsh borders are all fine monuments to the Marches turbulent history.
Other attractions include Acton Scott historic working farm museum and the Secret Hill Discovery Centre in Craven Arms with its grass roof, home to the famous Shropshire mammouth. The Royal Air Force Museum at Cosford where visitors can discover the history of aviation from the two world wars to the present day.
The Severn Valley Railway starting at Bridge north gives an opportunity to view the river Severn from a steam train.
Stately homes in the country include Weston Park with its 1,000 acres of gardens woodland lakes and follies and Attingham Park near Shrewsbury the county also has many National Trust and English 
Heritage buildings worthy of as visit. Hawskstone Park is famous for its follies including a spectacular collection of man made caves cliffs and grottos. It was Britain's first ever theme park opened in 1748.
Ellsemere is the heart of Shropshire's lake district with nine glacial meres and the birth place of the Llangollen canal designed by Thomas Telford. The new town of Telford with its excellent indoor shopping malls at the cutting edge of modern shopping, contrasts with the many boutiques and individual small shops in Shrewsbury and other historic Shropshire towns and villages.
