The counties of Central England still contain individuality and personality
Things To Do
Experience the Peak District from down below with an underground visit to one of the many caves in the Castleton area. Select from Peak Cavern and Speedwell Cavern, Treak Cliff Cavern or Blue John Mine. You’ll see impressive geological beauty in the form of stalactites and stalagmites in the latter.
Get the legs moving on a traffic-free cycle ride around Rutland Water. There are plenty of pubs and cafes to stop off for a bite on the 23-mile route, with cycle hire available at four locations around the lake.
See a production of a Shakespeare play put on by the Royal Shakespeare Company at the world-renowned Royal Shakespeare Theatre or the neighbouring Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. Then hire a rowing boat for a gentle saunter on the Avon, past the theatre.
Enjoy a leisurely carriage ride through the royal landscape of Windsor Great Park. Relax as the horse-drawn carriage passes by beautiful lakes, woodlands and gardens in 1000 acres of Crown Estate property.
If you’re planning family caravan holidays in Buckinghamshire, a visit to the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre will get your creative mind flowing. Located in his former family home in Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, the award-winning museum has galleries packed full of informative facts and many hands-on activities.
When To Visit
For such a large region as this, it’s impossible to mention every last big event but here’s a selection to whet the appetite.
Ashbourne (Derbyshire) goes footy mad with the Royal Shrovetide Football match (with goals three miles apart!), while Stratford-upon-Avon (Warwickshire) celebrates William Shakespeare’s birthday every 23 April.
You’ll find numerous Well Dressing events take place throughout the summer months in the Peak District. Then head further south for major sporting events at Royal Ascot (Berkshire) and the Henley Royal Regatta (Oxfordshire) in June followed by the Formula 1 Grand Prix at Silverstone (Northamptonshire) usually in July. Major festivals include the V Festival (Shropshire) and Reading Festival (Berkshire), the Robin Hood Festival (Nottinghamshire) and The Big Feastival (Oxfordshire), all in August.
And, of course, let’s not forget the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show plus the Motorhome and Caravan Show, held in February and October respectively at the NEC, Birmingham, when you can pick up a brand new ‘van!
Getting There
The M1 runs north-south like a spine through the middle of Central England from North London to North Yorkshire, while the M40 is a fast route from West London to the Midlands. The M5 (and M50 spur) helps to connect Herefordshire and Worcestershire, linking to the M6 to reach the West Midlands, Staffordshire and Cheshire.
The east and west extremities of this large region can also be accessed using the cross-country section of the M6 – from junction 19 of the M1, through Birmingham to the M5/M6 intersection. To avoid congestion through the city, an alternative is to take the M6 toll road. Prices vary depending on day (6.00-23.00), night (23.00-6.00) or weekend, although the fee is significantly more expensive (averaging £5-£6 more) for motorhomes, which are specified as Class 4 for the purposes of the toll road, than cars. However, on presentation of a valid Caravan Club membership card, motorhome users are charged the price of a car.