Beyond London: Heart of England

Head to the Heart of England for hot curries, quaint cottages and world-class theatre.

Visit the culturally diverse city of Birmingham, where you can catch a concert at the massive NEC centre, eat an award-winning curry in the "curry triangle", or shop until you drop in glamorous malls like the Bullring and the Mailbox.

Another must-see destination is Stratford-upon-Avon, William Shakespeare's birthplace and home to the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC). You can visit sites associated with the esteemed playwright, including his former home; watch an RSC show; or a paddle along the river in a rowing boat.

The region is also home to the Cotswolds, where you'll find picture-perfect villages made from distinctive Cotswold stone. You can explore the antique shops in Stow-on-the-Wold and Tetbury, look around the stunning National Arboretum at Westonbirt, or simply relax in a cosy country pub or tea room.

www.visittheheart.com