The West Midlands may not be the first place to come to mind when Canadians plan a trip across the pond, but the region anchored by "England's second city" Birmingham has plenty of hidden charms and exciting attractions.
Outside of buzzing Birmingham, visitors can explore the fascinating history of the Industrial Revolution that changed our world forever. Coventry combines culture, history and cuisine in compelling ways, while Wolverhampton also offers glorious art and architecture along with the country's first stadium built for football. Technically just outside the West Midlands boundaries but within easy driving distance is Stratford-upon-Avon, home of the world's most famous writer.
Coventry: This small city is home to the medieval Coventry Cathedral, which was badly bombed in World War II. A beautiful 20th-century replacement stands beside the ruins. Coventry's food scene brings together exciting flavours from across the world. At FarGo Village, a repurposed industrial space houses everything from top-notch eateries to street food vendors, as well as purveyors of jewellery and upcycled furniture. Coventry's leading gallery is the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, featuring everything from modern works to Old Masters.
Coventry offers intriguing accommodation options. The Telegraph Hotel is in the space that housed a popular newspaper for more than 50 years. Now it's one of the city's most stylish hotels. For a completely different experience, Coombe Abbey is a 12th century Cistercian Abbey and the former childhood home to Queen Elizabeth I, now transformed into an elegant, atmospheric hotel.
Dudley: Originally a market town, Dudley was one of the birthplaces of the Industrial Revolution and grew into an industrial centre in the 19th century with iron, coal, and limestone industries. Families will love exploring the Dudley Zoo and Castle, the 12th century priory ruins and the Black Country Living Museum.
The Black Country Living Museum brings vividly to life the world's first industrial landscape. Over fifty authentic shops, houses and workshops have been carefully reconstructed to reflect the lives of the working classes between 1850 and 1950. Guests can take a tram to explore the canal-side village, where they can meet and chat with costumed characters. Fans of the popular UK period drama Peaky Blinders will see some familiar sights.
Stratford: The rural county of Warwickshire offers glorious countryside surrounding the extended urban areas of Birmingham and Coventry. This is a place of castles, medieval towns and impressive country estates. It is also home to Stratford-upon-Avon, the home of William Shakespeare. Visitors can witness one of the Bard's plays live in the theatres of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Miles of canals and stairway locks welcome tourists for relaxed pub lunches and picnics.
Wolverhampton: Art and architecture lovers will find a little heaven here. The 19th-century Wolverhampton Art Gallery has collections ranging from Old Master paintings to locally made steel jewellery. West, Wightwick Manor and Gardens is famed for its William Morris interiors and landscaping. Arts & Crafts-style furnishings and Pre-Raphaelite art are the stars at the Bantock House Museum.
Home of the Wolverhampton Wanderers since 1889, Molineux stadium features an interactive museum taking visitors on a journey through the early years of modern football and the club's success and growth into modern times. Tours offer a unique perspective on the first stadium built primarily for a football league club in England.
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