I'm plotting a somewhat unusual driving route route around the UK. We've done the "popular" routes on previous driving tours, so this one threads its way between those to catch odd places we've read about but not been to. Like the New Mills Millennium walkway, for example, or the Dove Dale stepping stones and river walk, or the brewing town of Burton-upon-Trent. (We like English ales, and we like walking)!

I'm reading articles and using Google street-view to find somewhere attractive to stay a few nights in Central England or the West Midlands, handy to the above and other places nearby. Generally we like smaller towns and villages so long as there's reasonable dining in a local pub (Market Bosworth looks good, for example), but we're not averse to a city if it's reasonably attractive and not too frenetic.

Would Birmingham fit our description (the Jewellery Quarter looks interesting), or Wolverhampton, Leicester, Lichfield, Coventry etc? Shrewsbury and Buxton are nice, but we've stayed at both these before - that's what I mean by having to "thread our way through" places we already know! I mention them only to give people an idea of what kind of places we like.

I would welcome any suggestions that people can offer.

Dovedale is beautiful and there are nice villages around there, but its quite north. If you like nice villages you could consider Northamptonshire and Warwickshire (I assume you have done the Cotswolds which outside Yorkshire have probably the prettiest villages). Henley in Arden is a beautiful village (and close to Stratford upon Avon) but there are many others in that area. I have relatives in Warwickshire/Northhamptonshire and could consult them if that area is of interest.

Thanks for the Henley in Arden suggestion. I'll check it out. Re-assessing my possible routes, Stoke-on-Trent is also quite central to where I hope to be. Any opinions on that city, or any attractive villages or small towns around its vicinity? Thanks...

Birmingham is not a city I would choose to drive into without good reason - we live just outside and will always choose to use the train in preference to driving. Yes there is a lot to see, especially if you are interested in the Industrial Revolution, and it is central to much more via the Public Transport network but I would suggest that if you want to stay more than one night that you should stay outside the city and day-trip in.

Henley is a lovely village but if you prefer a town then Warwick might suit you better. The castle is rather Disneyfied but there are plenty of other beautiful buildings plus lots of pubs and restaurants. It is also well placed to visit Stratford-upon-Avon, Birmingham, Coventry and several NT properties.

I cannot give any advice about Stoke-on-Trent but perhaps you could consider Ironbridge where we stayed a year ago - excellent history, countryside and lots of history.

There is a reason why the enclave that is West Midlands is not spoken of in reverential terms and in the same breath as Shangri-La and the heights of Nivarna.

Basically because a lot of it sucks.

however,....

However.. there are some hidden gems only it will take someone other than me to reveal them. I only passed through Stoke on Trent and it may be much better than the impression it had on me. The village of Stone is near there but it's not exactly a magnet for tourists. The town of Telford is nearby, sounds nice but I havent been. This thread needs some one who has better experience than I to inform you better.

Ironbridge might interest, it is the sight of the first, iron bridge, no less. You can still walk across it.

There is also a good bike trail nearby and a wood working centre where people learn to build green wood houses.

I really like Lichfield. It has a beautiful unusual cathedral and one or two sites connected to Dr. Johnson.

The only thing that would be of interest in Stoke-on-Trent for a tourist is a factory tour of Wedgewood and other ceramics. http://www.visitstoke.co.uk/potteries/ For Britons, the nearby theme park of Alton Towers attracts a big crowd but it's only for aficionados if you are from US.

I can vouch for Henley in Arden, it's a lovely little town. With some nice restaurants. You can easily visit Stratford On Avon, Warwick Castle, Kenilworth or some of the English heritage homes in Baddesley Clinton or Packwood house.
There is a church in Wooton Wawen that is from 1300 that's worth a quick stop....
The White swan is a nice pub in the centre of Henley with rooms available to stay.
There is also a nice heritage centre that tells the history of the area....