Birmingham Lincoln Train

In recent years the city of Birmingham has evolved from its industrial roots into a modern, thriving and cultural city. The redevelopment of the Bullring Shopping Centre and also of the old industrial areas such as Brindleyplace, The Mailbox and the International Convention Centre have all played their part in the rejuvenation of the city. Old streets, buildings and canals have been restored to create a city for the 21st century.

Birmingham, along with the residential borough of Solihull and Wolverhampton, along with the industrial towns of the Black Country, together form the West Midlands Built-up Area which covers around 230 square miles. Surrounding this, is Birmingham's metropolitan area which includes Tamworth and the cities of Lichfield in Staffordshire, Coventry, Nuneaton, Warwick, Leamington Spa and the towns of Redditch and Bromsgrove in Warwickshire.

Birmingham is also a very green city with 571 parks which is more than any other European city. Sutton Park covers 2,400 acres and is the largest urban park in Europe and a National Nature Reserve. Birmingham Botanical Gardens, located close to the city centre, retains the regency landscape of its original design by J. C. Loudon in 1829,while the Winterbourne Botanic Garden in Edgbaston reflects the more informal Arts and Crafts tastes of its Edwardian origins.

Located in the county of Lincolnshire, the city of Lincoln is an great destination for a city break. The city offers visitors a mixture of rich history combined with great arts and culture, boutique shopping and great places to eat and drink. For a family day out why not take a tour on one of the city's open topped sightseeing buses. The tour takes in the highlights of the city where you will hear about the history of the city from knowledgeable guides. If accompanied by a paying adult, children under 16 go free! Lincoln's Gothic cathedral dominates the city's skyline and was once the tallest building in the world, from 1300 - 1549. The cathedral owns one of the four remaining copies of the Magna Carta, signed in 1215, which resides in Lincoln Castle. Lincoln, and the surrounding countryside, is also the ideal choice for a cycling break. For the more adventurous cyclist take on the challenge of the 100 mile route from Lincoln Castle to the Lincolnshire Coast and back to the castle through the Lincolnshire Wolds. Highlights on the route include the villages of Bardney, Hemingby, Alford and Chapel St Leonards alongside the beautiful views over the Lincolnshire Wolds. The route includes a small amount of hills but is fairly flat for the majority of the way.