East Midlands Travel Guide

Nevermind the naysayers. It may not be the most picturesque, historic or knock-your-socks-off ambient destination in England, but don’t write off the East Midlands just yet. The down-home charm of this broad region may take a little time to seep in, but once it does, look out. Want dynamic cities bursting with diversity and energy? Head to the festivals of Leicester. Craving some seaside splashing? Lincolnshire’s resort towns Skegness and Maplethorpe more than suffice. You can relive the tale of Robin Hood in Edwinstowe’s Sherwood Forest, and pilgrimage to Princess Diana’s final resting place in Northamptonshire. Delve into the outdoor delights of Derbyshire, where hiking, cycling and “potholing” are all in order. The Peak District National Park shatters the region’s reputation as all suburban sprawl and drab development. Towns and villages dot the rolling, rural landscape, and regional accents draw you in with their distinctive lure. There’s not a lot of fuss, or other tourists, here—which makes for great value. So let the city folk continue to overlook East Midlands; it just means more room for you.