Good Base near the Centre of England
 

We (two of us) are planning to tour England and Wales next year, starting with London and then picking up a car. We're looking for a good 2-3 night base somewhere in England's centre - say, in or near the triangle formed by Lichfield, Leicester and Burton-upon-Trent.

We're not greatly into big cities (like Birmingham), preferring instead picturesque villages or small towns with some history and character. We enjoy walking and exploring on foot. A lot of our time will be spent out touring by day, but we do like good dining options within walking distance (no drink driving!) of our base in the evenings.

Grateful for any suggestions...

Not within your triangle but just a bit east -- I really like Oakham and Stamford (or anywhere around Rutland Water)

Depending on your dates - there is an open air summer Shakespeare festival at Stamford

http://stamfordshakespeare.co.uk

There's not much in the triangle that you mention that offers good dining and decent hotels. You might find a country house type place with its own restaurant, but apart from Ashby de la Zouch, an uninspiring place at best and maybe Tamworth, that's about it.

Where's you next stop? If it's near enough I'd maybe go for that.

That's a fairly small triangle you've defined, and the question arises is why have you chosen that area and what do you hope to see?

To the north you've got the Peak District with towns such as Ashbourne, Matlock and Bakewell, while to the west of Birmingham you have Ludlow. These towns might be better suited to what you're after.

http://www.visitheartofengland.com/

https://www.visitengland.com/things-...tral-england#/

another vote for Stamford. the main hotel to the south of the river is something like the kings head and the new rooms are great.

Oakham is nice (stay at the whipper inn)

Thanks for all the suggestions. We'll be coming at this area from around the Fens - Norfolk, Cambridgeshire etc (see separate thread on this). I've stayed in Buxton & Bakewell before, and visited Stamford, and this trip is pretty much about catching places and attractions I missed on earlier trips. From Leicester we're heading down the Fosse Way towards Bath and/or Bristol.

I considered doing the Fens to Bath/Bristol (or thereabouts) in one hit, but want to call at Oackham en route, plus look around Bradgate Park, Kirby Muxloe, Market Bosworth etc (is there much to see?). Also if we stay in the Leicester area we could use it as a base for Dovedale, Ashbourne and Burton-upon-Trent. Maybe the suggestion to actually stay up that way is a better idea.

Just checked out Whipper-In at Oakham. Looks good, and great reviews, but quoting around 150 pounds a night B&B. Ouch!!