Lichfield Lancaster Train

Lichfield is a cathedral city in Staffordshire and is located roughly 15 miles to the north of Birmingham and lies between the high ground of Cannock Chase on the west and the valleys of the Rivers Trent and Tame on the east. The city is known for its three spired medieval cathedral and also for being the birthplace of Samuel Johnson, the writer of the first Dictionary of the English Language. Modern day Lichfield retains its importance as an ecclesiastical centre and its city centre has many listed buildings and fine Georgian architecture.

Lichfield has many cultural events which includes the Lichfield Greenhil Bower which is a festival that dates back to the Middle Ages. The festival these days includes a procession from the Guildhall of marching bands, morris men and carnival floats. There is also usually a fun fair in the city centre and another and jamboree in Beacon Park. Also, there is the Lichfield Festival which is an international arts festival celebrating dance, classical music, drama, film, jazz, literature, visual arts, poetry and world music.

Lichfield is served by two railway stations, Lichfield City and Lichfield Trent Valley. These stations are now on the Cross-City Line to Redditch via Birmingham. Additionally, Trent Valley station is on the West Coast Main Line with hourly direct semi-fast services to London Euston, and also to Stafford, Stoke and Crewe and many other local and regional destinations.

Located in the north west of England in the county of Lancashire, the city of Lancaster is home to a top university and is gateway to the Lake District and Morecambe. The city is in the Duchy of Lancaster and The County Palatine of Lancashire. There are many regular bus services servicing Lancaster and nearby Morecambe. A return on the bus from the city centre to the University costs about £2, and takes about 20 minutes on the direct bus or over 30 minutes on the other routes through Bowerham.

Attractions to see in the city include the Ashton Memorial and Lancaster Castle. The Ashton Memorial is a folly created for Lord Ashton's Wife upon her death. There's a butterfly house in Williamson Park, with great views across Morecambe Bay to the Lake District. A cafe shop and a kid's playground make it an ideal day activity. Next to the butterfly house is "The mini-beast exhibit". The park its self has extensive ponds, fountains, hills, trees, orienteering trails and picnic tables to have a quick snack. There are tours available to Lancaster Castle where you can see the state rooms, the official court rooms and the prison cells.