Lichfield is a cathedral city of great charm — its Gothic triple-spired cathedral the only medieval English cathedral with three spires — and it is surrounded by some surprisingly good walking countryside, most notably Cannock Chase AONB just six miles to the west.

A well-served cathedral city with good rail links, Lichfield makes a useful base for Cannock Chase walking, with the added attraction of a fine cathedral, good restaurants and Dr Johnson’s birthplace museum.