The East Midlands consists of Northamptonshire, Rutland, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire and can be found in the centre of the UK, just east of the Heart of England.

East Midlands

Northamptonshire is scenically beautiful, rich in tradition, heritage and charming stone villages. Walk knee deep in blue bells, along serene waterways, through winding country lanes and footpaths, and around charming villages. There are plenty of things to do in every season, immerse yourself in the history of the region by visiting one of the majestic stately homes, gardens or castles. Tread where warriors battled at Naseby, meander along historical waterways or feast your eyes on the renowned boot and shoe collection in Northampton – just one of many fascinating museums.

Little of Northamptonshire’s countryside has changed over the years and surprising for a county surrounded by land, you are never far from water with an abundance of canals, rivers and lakes. An extensive network of bridleways, byways, towpaths, reservoirs, country parks, forests, cycle routes and canal systems provide every opportunity for visitors to enjoy the great outdoors. A gourmet lovers delight – most of Northamptonshire's towns hold monthly farmer's markets, where you'll find tables laden with home-made jams, meats, cheeses, cakes and organically grown fruit and vegetables.

Rutland is England’s smallest county and a little piece of old England, hidden away in the heart of the country. A place where Kings once hunted deer in the valleys, where tiny villages were bequeathed to Mercian queens and where charming thatched cottages and fine Georgian architecture are reminiscent of a bygone age.

Rutland's county town of Oakham was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 and lays claim to England's smallest man, Jeffrey Hudson. Its castle, a fortified Norman manor house, has a collection of horse shoes gathered from visiting nobility including members of the Royal family. Both Oakham and Uppingham are historic market towns and full of pretty honey-coloured buildings, medieval churches, interesting shops and galleries.

Rutland Water is Europe’s largest man-made lake and offers many outdoor watersports and activities, including sailing, windsurfing, canoeing and fishing.

Throughout Rutland you'll find a host of villages to explore, each with its own unique character and local charm, like Exton with its thatched cottages or Clipsham, with its topiary walk featuring dozens of trees shaped to commemorate local, national and international events.

Leicestershire is a diverse county with a lively and vibrant city teamed with traditional British countryside and stunning waterways. Leicester itself is an energetic city with great shops, restaurants, bars, museums and entertainment. From award-winning attractions to some of the best curry houses in the UK, Leicester offers a great mix of culture and style.

Ashby de la Zouch lies at the heart of the flourishing National Forest, an area that embraces ancient buildings, interesting visitor attractions and miles of hidden nature trails. The market towns of Hinckley and Market Bosworth lie in the west of Leicestershire, surrounded by rolling countryside and pretty villages. Hinckley itself is a thriving market town and evidence suggests that it dates back to the Roman era. Picturesque Market Bosworth is certainly worth a visit for its thatched cottages, Georgian architecture and interesting specialist shops.

The Melton area is a delightful and traditionally English place where quality produce, real heritage and country pursuits are not the exception, but the norm – offering a real taste of the countryside. Soak up the atmosphere of the bustling market town of Melton Mowbray, home of the authentic pork pie – and snap up a few bargains too!

The diverse scenery of Derbyshire and the Peak District is a paradise for walkers, cyclists, extreme sports enthusiasts and the more relaxed lovers of the great outdoors. This county has something to offer everyone from breathtaking landscape, to bustling market towns and an interesting cultural and historical heritage. The Peak District is Britain’s first national park and has plenty to discover. The High Peak is home to the elegant spa town of Buxton, the wild moorlands of Kinder Scout, the depths of Castleton’s show-caverns, the Pennine Way and Derwent Valley’s historic dams. In the Derbyshire Dales you will find craggy gritstone edges, attracting some of the world’s best climbers, as well as limestone valleys vibrant with rare flowers. Visit the historic market towns of Bakewell and Ashbourne and discover the rich industrial heritage of Matlock Bath, Cromford and Wirksworth. To the south west, the Staffordshire Moorlands offer spectacular vistas just a few miles from bustling towns such as Leek, or you can find peace and solitude in Dovedale or the Manifold Valley.

Visit the lively Cathedral City of Derby and enjoy the city’s bustling shops, cafes, free museums and Derby Arboretum, England’s first public park. The city is also considered to be one of the most haunted places in the UK!

Nottinghamshire is home to the world’s most famous out-law, Robin Hood and the legendary Sherwood Forest. It has also turned out many creative greats including the poet Lord Byron and the designer Paul Smith, and is well known for its vibrant nightlife. Those who were born to shop are spoilt for choice in the city of Nottingham with all the big retailers you would expect to find, alongside individual boutiques and exclusive designers. Nottingham Castle is a magnificent 17th Century ducal mansion built on the site of the original medieval castle and at the Tales of Robin Hood, you can re-live the days when good was good and evil was most foul!

Kids will love getting lost in their imaginations in Nottinghamshire, from swinging through trees in Sherwood Forest, feeding the lambs in the beautiful Trent Valley or searching for wildlife in Bestwood Country Park with Mill Lakes teeming with water birds, ancient oak woodland and meadows full of wild flowers.

The largest county in the East Midlands, Lincolnshire, is holder to many interesting facts – did you know that Scampton is home to the Red Arrows, the famous RAF Aerobatic Team; Newport Arch in Lincoln is the only Roman arch in the country still used by traffic; Grimsby was named after a Danish fisherman called Grim; the first military tank was designed and built in Lincoln and Belvoir Castle and Harlaxton Manor were used as film locations in the film The Haunting in 1999?

Lincolnshire has a wealth of qualities for you to enjoy from some of England’s cleanest beaches at Skegness and Mablethorpe to the tranquillity of the Wolds, from the vibrant city of Lincolnshire to the elegant stately homes and castles in the Vales.

The past and present is all around in the city of Lincoln from the cobbled streets and antiques to the modern art scattered throughout the city. From any direction, as you approach Lincoln you will be drawn to the magnificent silhouette of the Cathedral stretching into the skies, brooding over 2000 years of history.

For 30 years, the Lincolnshire Wolds has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with curvaceous landscapes, pretty villages and the market towns of Alford, Horncastle, Louth, Spilsby, Tattershall and Coningsby.

There is so much to explore in Lincolnshire that a weekend may not be long enough!

From the unspoilt Lincolnshire Vales and the magical Fens to the well-kept secret that is Rutland, there is a piece of unspoilt East Midlands for everyone!