Marka Ragnos Posted March 25, 2023 VT Supporter Share Posted March 25, 2023 What are some off-the-beaten-path, lesser known places in the West Midlands that are unexpectedly or improbably fascinating or lovely or haunting or emotionally powerful for you? Not necessarily on or off a tourist's itinerary, not necessarily a pretty landscape, or rural, or remote. Whatever floats your canal boat. Perhap some forgotten location or personally meaningful place that sometimes comes up in your mind's eye? The West Midlands region, that is: Quote "The West Midlands is one of nine official regions of England at the first level of International Territorial Level for statistical purposes. It covers the western half of the area traditionally known as the Midlands. The region consists of the counties of Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Worcestershire. The region has seven cities; Birmingham, Coventry, Hereford, Lichfield, Stoke-on-Trent, Wolverhampton and Worcester." 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickster Posted March 25, 2023 Moderator Share Posted March 25, 2023 7 minutes ago, Marka Ragnos said: What are some off-the-beaten-path, lesser known places in the West Midlands that are unexpectedly or improbably fascinating or lovely or haunting or emotionally powerful for you? Not necessarily on or off a tourist's itinerary, not necessarily a pretty landscape, or rural, or remote. Whatever floats your canal boat. Perhap some forgotten location or personally meaningful place that sometimes comes up in your mind's eye? The West Midlands region, that is: That quoted bit is utter bollocks Stoke… in the West Midlands …Herefordshire… Shropshire… utter nonsense! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaChris Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 Lichfield (if it counts) is pretty underrated for an afternoon out if the weather's o.k. Some nice independent pubs and shops and lovely cathedral. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davkaus Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 15 minutes ago, bickster said: That quoted bit is utter bollocks Stoke… in the West Midlands …Herefordshire… Shropshire… utter nonsense! They're in the West Midlands region, but obviously not the West Midlands county. It's almost like the region should have a different name 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KentVillan Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 I really like Stoke, Herefordshire and Shropshire @Marka Ragnos - my favourite spots in the West Midlands 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinker Posted March 25, 2023 VT Supporter Share Posted March 25, 2023 22 minutes ago, bickster said: That quoted bit is utter bollocks Stoke… in the West Midlands …Herefordshire… Shropshire… utter nonsense! It's just a line on a map, and the Midlands is a rather large area. Not sure where you would stick Herefordshire or Shropshire if there not in the Midlands, they are in the middle of the country and west of the center. Litchfield is nice , Worcester as well, Stratford, Warwick, Leamington, Hereford. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinker Posted March 25, 2023 VT Supporter Share Posted March 25, 2023 11 minutes ago, Davkaus said: They're in the West Midlands region, but obviously not the West Midlands county. It's almost like the region should have a different name Like Mercia? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fruitvilla Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 27 minutes ago, bickster said: That quoted bit is utter bollocks Stoke… in the West Midlands …Herefordshire… Shropshire… utter nonsense! The biased BBC has cocked it up again ... Regions - BBC News 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Albrighton Posted March 25, 2023 VT Supporter Share Posted March 25, 2023 West Mercia representing, yo. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xela Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 29 minutes ago, Davkaus said: They're in the West Midlands region, but obviously not the West Midlands county. It's almost like the region should have a different name West Midlands is a shite name for a county. Should be renamed. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xela Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 Lichfield, as others have said is lovely. If we're on about West Mids as a county then Sutton Park is great. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjmooney Posted March 25, 2023 VT Supporter Share Posted March 25, 2023 If there's a 'Greater Manchester', why not 'Greater Birmingham'? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xela Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 1 minute ago, mjmooney said: If there's a 'Greater Manchester', why not 'Greater Birmingham'? Black Country, thats why. They wouldn't accept it. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidcow Posted March 25, 2023 VT Supporter Share Posted March 25, 2023 Stratford-upon-Avon Racecourse on a warm sunny evening with good company is pretty joyous I was there one beautiful evening when a long retired Desert Orchid was given a gallop down the course. There are some lovely villages throughout Warwickshire and along the Rivers Severn and Wye. Plenty of places on the canals. Tardebigge Locks is some sight. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genie Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 Tamworth Castle and the big new play area in the castle grounds are a nice way to spend an afternoon if you have little ones. Next to the castle grounds you have bowling with an arcade and nice restaurant. Next to that is the Snowdome (real snow ski slope, ice skating, tobogganing, snow play, swimming). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidcow Posted March 25, 2023 VT Supporter Share Posted March 25, 2023 5 minutes ago, mjmooney said: If there's a 'Greater Manchester', why not 'Greater Birmingham'? Like @Xelasaid. Northern Towns seem happy to piggyback on Manchester. Black Country folk feel much stronger they have their own identity. I once saw somewhere that The Black Country might be one of the most truly olde English places in England and was never really assimilated into the various invading regimes down the centuries. The accent maybe a truer representation of the original English accent than any. There is a logic there, it's as far from the coast as you get. Harder to conquer and control with long supply lines. Why bother? Maybe that's true, maybe not but might explain the fierce independence. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lichfield Dean Posted March 25, 2023 VT Supporter Share Posted March 25, 2023 Sutton Park. Even in the Midlands it is weirdly unknown by many people. Considering its amazing history, its variety of landscapes, the flora and fauna etc. I find it odd that it isn't nationally celebrated. I bet if it was in Manchester or Leeds everybody in the country would know it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supermon Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 Aston, it has a premier league team with is name in it, home of HP Sauce, iconic Spaghetti Junction, University named after it too. Name any other town that beats that. I'm sure most despise the area no doubt. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisp65 Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 There’s a house just outside Stourport that has stone dragons at the entrance and the house name is Acton Villa. That always makes me smile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheAuthority Posted March 26, 2023 VT Supporter Share Posted March 26, 2023 2 hours ago, VillaChris said: Lichfield (if it counts) is pretty underrated for an afternoon out if the weather's o.k. I think I have spotted a fatal flaw in your plan.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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