The West Midlands is made up of Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire. Its main cities are Birmingham, Coventry, and Wolverhampton. It’s the most diverse part of the country behind London, with a proud multicultural history: from the birth of Two-Tone music – a combination of Caribbean ska and English punk – in Coventry, to the Balti curry, courtesy of Birmingham’s Pakistani community. Once the heart of heavy industry and manufacturing, Peaky Blinders fans will be familiar with the region’s murky criminal underworld in the early 20th century. Although you might be surprised to learn that Birmingham is one of the youngest cities in Europe, with over 40% under 25 years old.

Providers in the West Midlands

City guides

Counties of the West Midlands

Herefordshire

Herefordshire is home to a number of colleges that offer further and higher education qualifications, like Hereford College of Arts, and Herefordshire and Ludlow College.

 

Known for its cider and cattle, Hereford is largely rural, boasting vast areas of uninterrupted countryside.

Several national parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty spill into it, from bordering counties.

Shropshire

Shropshire is home to Harper Adams University plus Harper and Keele Veterinary School.

 

There are no cities in Shropshire. Its (handful of) major towns include Shrewsbury, Newport, and Telford, which is viewed as one of the fastest growing in the country.

With its ancient forts, castles, and black and white Tudor buildings, Shropshire truly feels like you’ve stepped back in time.

Staffordshire

Staffordshire is home to Keele University and Staffordshire University.

 

The county made its name for expertly crafted pottery, particularly in the six towns that make up its largest city today, Stoke-on-Trent.

Staffordshire’s most popular tourist attraction these days is Alton Towers.

If you prefer a day out with less queues and screaming, the Cannock Chase and Peak District promise beautiful outdoor spaces and peace.

Warwickshire

Warwickshire is home to North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College and Warwickshire College Group.

 

Warwickshire is made up of lots of towns and villages – and not the worst looking ones either: from Warwick’s half-timbered Tudor fronts, to the porcelain white regency streets of Leamington Spa.

The Royal Shakespeare Company is based in Stratford-Upon-Avon, the birthplace of ‘The Bard’ himself.

Worcestershire

Worcestershire is home to the University of Worcester, plus Heart of Worcestershire College.

 

Worcestershire is best known for its namesake sauce, which was created in Worcester (and continues to be made here).

Condiments aside, Worcestershire has an array of charming historical towns and villages to explore – including Malvern, Bromsgrove, and Evesham – plus Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, like the striking Malvern Hills.