About West Midlands

Eat with your hands using the naan bread, and ask for 'extra salad' (a tangy onion/carrot mix) - locals would never use cutlery for this dish!

Try the 'chain making' demonstrations in the Black Country Museum, or take a guided tour of the Jewellery Quarter's working studios in Birmingham.

Wear sturdy shoes as towpaths can be uneven. Many pubs are canalside - plan a 'lock-to-lock' pub crawl along the Birmingham Canal Navigations.

Standing tickets at the RSC in Stratford are a bargain but arrive early. Avoid loud snacks during performances - it's considered disrespectful.

The Birmingham Museums Pass offers great value. Many industrial heritage sites offer joint tickets. Coventry Cathedral is free to enter.

Look for 'Buffet Bars' in Black Country pubs serving homemade pork pies and crusty cobs. Many have 'snugs' (small private rooms) with fascinating histories.

Visit the Heavy Metal monument in Birmingham, the 2-Tone Trail in Coventry, or catch a gig at Wolverhampton's legendary Civic Hall.

In Staffordshire, 'Cheese Rolling' down Cooper's Hill happens annually. Dudley's 'Tipton Slasher' is a famous boxing pub with memorabilia.

Start early to avoid crowds, take the 'Worcestershire Beacon' trail for stunning views, and reward yourself with local spring water from the hills.

Use the extensive public transport network, support independent shops in the Jewellery Quarter, and consider canal boat holidays for low-impact tourism.