Heart of England Coach Tours
Language: English
Currency: Pound Sterling
Time Zone: GMT
Tipping: 10 to 12% is usual for hotels with 10 to 15% being usual for restaurants. In each case, it is not necessarily added to the bill. If a service charge has already been added, no further tip is required.
England coach holidays just wouldn't be the same without exploring its very heart where you will really discover what makes the country tick. Unsurprisingly, the Heart of England and Midlands is very easy to get to with excellent access from all corners of the UK. Birmingham in particular has undergone some substantial renovations making it the cultural scene to be seen at. International airports such as Birmingham and Coventry make it easy for visitors from across the world to embark on their escorted tour to England's heart.
The Heart of England consists of several UK counties all offering a wide variety of things to see and do. Fans of Shakespeare will particularly love Heart of England tours as they will take you to his birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon where you can see the Holy Trinity Church where he worshipped and Anne Hathaway's Cottage where the two sweethearts romanced before they married. Venture a little deeper into the Heart and you'll discover rural Herefordshire where coach tours will take you to quintessentially English villages brimming with black and white timbered buildings and a plethora of orchards to whet your appetite for the county's famous ciders.
Amazing walking trails, a fascinating cathedral and the famous Porcelain Works can be found on coach trips to Worcestershire, whose capital city amidst beautiful Tudor and Georgian buildings is overflowing with tales of the English Civil War. Visit Shrewsbury in Shropshire and you'll come face to face with architecture and tales from Tudor times. Shrewsbury is a lovely Tudor town located within the horseshoe bend of the River Severn and is the birthplace of Charles Darwin who discovered the theory of evolution. No visit to Shropshire would be complete without visiting the home of the Industrial Revolution at Ironbridge Gorge where Abraham Darby III stunned the world with the first iron bridge ever to be constructed in 1779 where it remains as the county's tourist showpiece. If you're fascinated by the Industrial Revolution and would like to find out more, take a coach tour to Black Country, an area covering the Midlands, where metalworking was extremely important during the 1830s.
Birmingham, a favourite destination in The Midlands for chocolate lovers, is home to Cadburys Bournville a fabulous visitor attraction where you can find out how chocolate is made and maybe sample some. The city also has the Jewellery Quarter dating back 250 years where over 500 jewellery businesses are still in operation. Birmingham is also famous for some of the best curry houses in the UK which is perfect if you don't want to travel to India for a meal!
Tours to the Heart of England and Midlands typically include; return coach travel throughout (except self-drive), accommodation in a good standard hotel, meals and a variety of included or optional excursions so you can really see the best of the resort you're visiting.
Tourist office
For further information about the Heart of England and Midlands, you can visit the official tourist board website at visitheartofengland.com
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Things to do
When visiting the Heart of England and the Midlands there are many great things to see and do on your doorstep. Here is just a sample of the great things on offer:
Stoke-on-Trent
When visiting the Heart of England why not visit Stoke-on-Trent the 'Ceramic Capital of the World'. Discover why the bottle kilns, which shaped this areas skyline throughout the industrial era, made this part of the country the pottery centre of England. If you fancy something different, you could always take a trip to Alton Towers.
Stratford-upon-Avon
Known around the world as the birthplace of William Shakespeare, this town still possesses its Elizabethan charm. See the sights which shaped William Shakespeare's life, from his birthplace to his wife, Anne Hathaway's cottage. Get a real taste of Olde England by wandering the endless streets and exploring something different around every corner.
Shrewsbury
This county town in Shropshire lies on the River Severn. Famous for being a historic market town, Shrewsbury is full of landmarks to explore when visiting. The town retains its medieval street pattern and has many narrow passages and streets. Be sure to visit Shrewsbury Castle, Shrewsbury Abbey and the four famous churches that make up its skyline.
Lincoln
This beautiful cathedral city is well worth a visit if you are in the Heart of England and the Midlands. With a spectacular Cathedral, that towers over the city, it is well worth exploring the Cathedral and the surrounding Quarter. Lincoln Castle also dominates the skyline and a great attraction to see. Another fascinating sight is the 16th Century High Bridge which crosses the River Witham, and is the oldest bridge of its kind in the UK.
To help you have an enjoyable holiday in England, please take a look at these useful tips and advice provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office:
Health and Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is recommended by all our tour operators and for some operators it is a condition of booking. When choosing a travel insurance please ensure it fully covers all your personal requirements including pre-existing medical conditions, cancellation charges, medical expenses, and repatriation in the event of accident or illness. As a British citizen you will obviously be entitled to free emergency health care on the NHS.
If you are visiting England from outside the United Kingdom and fall ill or are involved in an accident and are from an EU country or Switzerland, you can use a valid EHIC issued by your home country to access healthcare. Please note this is not an alternative to travel insurance. Comprehensive travel insurance is advised for nationalities planning on visiting the UK.
For the latest information and travel advice regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19), please click here
If you need to contact the emergency services whilst in the UK simply dial 999 or 112 to ask for an ambulance.
Crime
The United Kingdom is a safe place to visit, however, as with all countries please exercise common sense. Petty crime can occur so take your usual precautions such as not leaving luggage unattended, beware of pickpockets in tourist areas and leave valuables in the hotel safe.
Local Laws and Customs
Queuing is a British Institution - jump a queue at your own risk!
If you are visiting from outside of the United Kingdom, it is wise to check customs requirements before you travel. If you are planning to bring alcohol, tobacco or souvenirs into the country, you need to be familiar with the UK's custom laws. If you go over your allowances, you may have to pay tax or duty. It is worth checking the HM Revenues and Customs website before you travel.
UK Entry Requirements
When travelling between the UK, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man you may need to show a Border Force officer a document confirming your identity. In most cases an official form of identification such as a driver's license or an armed forces identity card will be ok. However, some airlines will insist you show a passport so please check before you travel.
If you’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein you can enter the UK with one of the following identity documents: a passport, an Irish passport card or a national identity card issued by an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, if you’re eligible to use one. The identity document should be valid for the whole of your stay.
If you’re from outside the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you must have a valid passport to enter the UK. It should be valid for the whole of your stay. You may also need a visa, depending on which country you’re from. Please check here if a visa is required before you travel.