4 Best Sights in Stratford-upon-Avon and the Heart of England, England

Based in an incredible historic building in a forgotten part of the city, this heritage center and tour provider, a joint enterprise between the National Trust and the Canal and River Trust, has seen 19th-century stables once used to house Birmingham's hard-working horses brought back to life. Inside the horseshoe-shaped brick building, you can learn about the history of the building, as well as how integral both horses and the canals have been to the city's fortunes. This hub for city tours—by foot, bike, kayak, and boat—is a font of knowledge for those interested in Birmingham's industrial past. The visitor center is free to visit, and there's a good café, but most people come here to book a kayak tour or take a guided tour on foot through the city. There are tours of the building itself, and these can be combined with a visit to the excellent Coffin Works museum.

The village of Bournville (5 miles south of Birmingham city center) contains this museum devoted to—what else?—chocolate. In 1879, the Quaker Cadbury brothers moved the family business from the city to this "factory in a garden." The museum traces the history of the cocoa bean and the Cadbury dynasty, and there are themed activity areas. In 2023, this popular longtime attraction was taken over by Merlin Entertainments, which looks after Alton Towers (a theme park) and Legoland, among other places. The experience here is getting much more interactive, with a new Cadbury Chocolate Quest ride introduced in 2024. If Legoland is anything to go by, perhaps visitors will see large-scale re-creations of buildings and objects made entirely of chocolate soon.  Opening times change almost daily, and reservations are essential; call or go online to check times and book tickets.

Accessible from several points and providing splendid views of Chester and its surroundings, the city walls are the country's most complete Roman and medieval defensive walls. The whole circuit is 2 miles, but if your time is short, climb the steps at Newgate and walk along toward Eastgate to see the great ornamental Eastgate Clock, erected to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897. Lots of small shops near this part of the walls sell old books, old postcards, antiques, and jewelry. Where the Bridge of Sighs (named after the enclosed bridge in Venice that it closely resembles) crosses the canal, descend to street level and walk up Northgate Street into Market Square.

The United Kingdom’s largest exotic butterfly collection is housed in a tropical greenhouse, a two-minute walk past the Bridgefoot bridge (spiders, caterpillars, and insects from all over the world also make their home here). Kids can watch as butterflies emerge from pupae, search for caterpillars among the plants, or take a look at a toxic black widow spider. The ant colony is another highlight. There is also a fantastic shop, plus places to picnic in the lovely garden.