The very best places to stay in
Midlands
Right in the centre of England (as you’d expect, given the name), the Midlands is a mix of storybook market towns, undulating hills, ancient woodland and huge, wide-open skies. Avoid the motorways and smokestacks; we love the areas of deep countryside and calm, where rivers meander lazily and half-timbered houses lean companionably toward cobbled lanes. This is the heart of England in both geography and spirit, connecting the rural richness of Shropshire, Herefordshire, and Staffordshire with the wide agricultural plains of Lincolnshire and the elegant charm of Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.
Each corner has its own rhythm. Herefordshire feels deliciously old-world — cider orchards, half-timbered villages, and views that roll for miles. Shropshire brings craggy hills and crooked castles, beloved by walkers and solitude-seekers alike. Staffordshire surprises with pottery heritage and moorland drama, while Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire delight in stately homes, sleepy canals and steaming pies. Out east, Lincolnshire’s landscape stretches out to the horizon, where wild coastlines and cathedral spires punctuate the stillness. Together, they form a region that rewards that gloriously art of meandering through your days.
Our hideaways here are as diverse as the landscape — converted barns, cabins with hot tubs, design-led cottages tucked into secret valleys, and plenty of dog-friendly options. The best places to stay in the Midlands are right here; and below you’ll find our Kip tips for the region. Happy exploring!
Featured stays in
Midlands
Curate your Midlands stay
Kip tips
MUST VISIT.
Hereford Cathedral’s Mappa Mundi. Gaze at one of the oldest world maps in existence, drawn when the edges of the world were still full of dragons and wonder. The Chain Library is also incredible; the largest in the world, with over 1,500 books dating from 9th-19thC, with all the original chains, rods, and locks still in place.
ARCHITECTURE.
And while we’re on cathedrals… Lincoln Cathedral is a symphony of stone and light; once the tallest building on Earth. Visit in the late afternoon for stunning ‘golden hour’ light that bathes the cathedral in a warm glow, or come for evensong — profoundly moving.
WITH KIDS.
Visit the hidden ruins of Moreton Corbet Castle, (Shropshire). Half-Tudor manor, half-ghostly shell, it’s all atmosphere. Or drag them up Haughmond Hill (Shrewsbury), with a promise of an easy walk for killer views then locally baked sausage rolls the size of your hand in the cafe.
BEST ACTIVITY.
Walk the Long Mynd, Shropshire. Wind your way across these heather-clad hills, where skylarks sing and valleys dip like green silk. Start in Church Stretton, finish with cake at a tearoom that looks like it’s been here since forever.
FOODIE TREAT.
- Feast at The Loaf, Crich (Staffordshire border) — A bakery, a café, and a slow-food sanctuary. Their sourdough is legendary, and locals drive miles for the custard tarts.
SECRET KIP TIP.
Tucked deep in the Vale of Ewyas, Llanthony Priory is a ruined Augustinian priory that feels like it exists in its own secret time zone. Moss-covered stone walls and crumbling arches are amazingly atmospheric, against a glorious backdrop of the Black Mountains.
Explore other locations
Why book a Midlands holiday with
Kip Hideaways?
We endlessly research and curate the very best places to stay across the UK: all gorgeous and great value. Beautiful, unique style is a must for us but it’s the thoughtful detail and owners who really care that make our hideaways so special.
Our design-led hideaways include cabins with hot tubs, dog-friendly cottages, romantic treehouses and family-friendly houses.
