Wolverhampton Hereford Train

Wolverhampton is a city located in the West Midlands in England and lies to the north west of Birmingham. Also, to the north and east lies the countryside of Staffordshire and Shropshire. The city itself lies on the Midlands Plateau and at 120m above sea level it is the highest city centre in the UK. Unusually, there are no rivers within the city although several rivers rise in the city: the rivers Tame and Penk.

The city grew as a market town which focused on the woollen trade. Following the Industrial Revolution the city became a major industrial centre with coal mining, limestone mining and iron ore mining along with steel, locks, motorcycles and car production. Modern day Wolverhampton has retained some of its engineering heritage, including a large aerospace industry, and also in the service sector.

The city has a number of venues, museums and other public buildings that all lend to its cultural offering to visitors. The Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton's largest theatre which opened in 1894 and has featured the actors Charlie Chaplin and Sean Connery. It was also used by Winston Churchill. The Arena Theatre, which is part of the University of Wolverhampton, is the city's second largest theatre and hosts both amateur and professional performances.

The city of Hereford, in the county of Herefordshire, straddles the banks of the River Wye and has been the commercial centre of Herefordshire farming communities for centuries. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll alongside the crystal clear waters of the River Wye or enjoy in the vibrant centre of High Town, where you can take in a show at The Courtyard Theatre. The magnificent Hereford Cathedral towers over the town. Take a moment to have a look at the stonemasons' work - the skill of these craftsmen is very evident. After exploring the cathedral make sure that you visit the Mappa Mundi, a thirteenth century map which shows Jerusalem as the center of the world. Christopher de Hamel, a leading authority on medieval manuscripts said "... it is without parallel the most important and most celebrated medieval map in any form ..." . Even though Hereford is a medieval town, it has progressed with the ages, adapting its traditional buildings to accommodate both residents and visitors alike. You can stay at anything from the most modern to the most antiquated buildings. Restaurants are plentiful with a wide range of cuisines. This really is a lovely place to stay while visiting the Marches and surrounding districts.