Central England has the wow-factor when it comes to dramatic countryside. Clamber craggy peaks and moors in the Peak District National Park, bike deep through the National Forest or turn back the clock to the industrial age on the Grand Union Canal. Step into the West Midlands’ cities in style in shoppers' paradise Birmingham and cathedral city Coventry. Enjoy Shakespearean plays at the theatres, discover the Bard’s quaint family homes in Stratford-upon-Avon, and head to Sherwood Forest for adventures with England’s favourite outlaw. Be prepared for a culinary adventure too. Central England has a mouth-watering plethora of specialities from sticky Bakewell tart to sizzling balti curries and Stilton cheese.
Central England
August events: Leicester's Caribbean Carnival
Join the annual Leicester Caribbean Carnival in August for a celebration of culture and tradition full of music, colour and dance.
Location: Leicester, Leicestershire
August events: SO Festival
Lincolnshire’s coastal district of East Lindsey is transformed into an international arts venue during this annual summer festival.
Location: Skegness, Lincolnshire
September events: Enjoy good food at Ludlow Food Festival
Take one historic town, an enviable food culture, passionate local chefs and food producers and you get the perfect recipe for Ludlow Food Festival.
Location: Ludlow, Shropshire
October events: Get giddy at the Nottingham Goose Fair
The Goose Fair is one of Europe’s largest travelling fairs and is one of Nottingham’s oldest traditions, dating back more than 700 years.
Location: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
October events: Get merry on local brews at the Robin Hood Beer Festival
With its fine selection of beer and cider stalls, many of which offer local produce, Nottingham's Robin Hood Beer and Cider Festival is a great place for drink connoisseurs.
Location: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Add Stratford Literary Festival to your list of things to do in April
Be in the company of celebrity authors and best-selling writers at this lively literary event in the UK.
Location: Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire
July events: Warwick Folk Festival
For four days each summer, Warwick is awash with the sights and sounds of folk music from across the world.
Location: Warwick, Warwickshire
July events: Buxton International Festival
Take your seats and enjoy a summer celebration of music, art, opera and literature on the edge of the scenic Peak District.
Location: Buxton, Derbyshire
December events: Step inside Worcester’s Victorian Christmas Fayre
Worcester's Christmas Fayre is the West Midlands' leading Victorian-themed street market.
Location: Worcester, Worcestershire
May events: Don your tweeds for the Nottinghamshire County Show
May is usually your first chance to enjoy the spring sunshine, so spend it wisely with an action-packed day at the Nottinghamshire County Show.
Location: Newark, Nottinghamshire
August events: Shrewsbury Flower Show
Flowers, fireworks and two fun-packed days of celebrity chefs, floral displays and family attractions at the Shrewsbury Flower Show.
Location: Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Enjoy a feast of live music and sporting events in Nottingham
Prepare to rave about Nottingham’s headline music festivals and be bowled over by the city’s world-class sporting events.
Location: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Enjoy a weekend of free outdoor arts across Birmingham
Head to the Birmingham Weekender this September, where the city centre will be bought to life with music, dance, theatre, art, literature, food and fashion.
Location: Birmingham, West Midlands
Sample real ales at the Winter Ales Festival
Discover your favourite real ale at the Derby CAMRA Winter Ales Festival at the Derby Roundhouse from 20-23 February 2019.
Location: Derby, Derbyshire
Head to Birmingham for a summer of festivals
This summer the streets, parks, bars and squares of Birmingham will be filled with melody as the city plays host to some fantastic music festivals.
Location: Birmingham, West Midlands