| The
West Midlands is an official Region of England, covering the western half of
the area traditionally known as the Midlands. It contains the second largest
British city, Birmingham, and the larger West Midlands conurbation, which
includes the city of Wolverhampton and large towns of Dudley, Walsall and
West Bromwich. Coventry and Solihull are located within the West Midlands
county. Birmingham is a
city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands. Birmingham is the
largest of England's core cities, and is often considered to be the second
city of the United Kingdom. The City of Birmingham has a population of
1,006,500 (2006 estimate). It forms part of the larger West Midlands
conurbation, which has a population of 2,284,093 (2001 census) and includes
several neighbouring towns and cities, such as Solihull, Wolverhampton and
the towns of the Black Country.
Dudley is a large town in the
West Midlands, with a population of 194,919. Since 1974 it has been the
administrative centre of the wider Metropolitan Borough of Dudley. It is the
19th largest settlement in England, measured by Urban Sub-Area, and is the
second largest town in the United Kingdom, behind Reading.
Leamington Spa, properly
Royal Leamington Spa but commonly just Leamington or even "Leam" to locals,
is a spa town in central Warwickshire. According to the 2001 census the town
had a population of 45,114. It is named after the River Leam which flows
through the town. Leamington lies near the centre of England. Indeed, a
young tree called the Midland Oak, at Lillington, just to the northeast of
the town centre, is marked by a plaque claiming that it is at the very
centre of the country.
Southam is a small market
town in the Stratford-on-Avon district of Warwickshire. The 2001 census
recorded a population of 6,509 in the town . The nearest sizeable town to
Southam is Leamington Spa, located roughly 7 miles (11 km) to the west. The
towns of Rugby and Daventry are also within 10 miles (16km) of Southam, with
Banbury 14 miles (22.5 km) to the south and the major city of Coventry some
13 miles (21 km) to the north.
Stourbridge is a town within
the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley, in the West Midlands.
Historically part of Worcestershire, Stourbridge was a centre of glass
making, and today includes the suburbs of Amblecote, Lye, Norton,
Oldswinford, Pedmore, Wollaston and Wollescote. The population, as recorded
in the United Kingdom Census 1991, was 54,661. Much of the population is now
made up of commuters to the City of Birmingham and the Black Country.
Stratford-upon-Avon is a
market town and civil parish in south Warwickshire. It lies on the River
Avon some 38 kilometres (24 miles) south of Birmingham and 14 km (9 miles)
south-west of the county town, Warwick, in the District of
Stratford-on-Avon. In 2001, the town's population was 23,676. The town is a
popular tourist destination owing to its status as birthplace and deathbed
of the playwright and poet William Shakespeare, receiving about three
million visitors a year from all over the world.
Tamworth is a historic town
in Staffordshire, located 14 miles (22 km) north-east of Birmingham city
centre and 103 miles (165 km) north-west of London. The town takes its name
from the River Tame, which flows through the town, as does the River Anker.
At the 2001 census the town had a population of 74,531.
Walsall is a large industrial
town in the West Midlands. It is located northwest of Birmingham and east of
Wolverhampton. Historically part of Staffordshire. A local landmark is Barr
Beacon, which is reportedly the highest point following its latitude
eastwards until the Ural Mountains of Russia.
Warwick is the historic
county town of Warwickshire West Midlands. and has a population of 25,434
(2001 census). The town lies upon the River Avon and is located 18 km (11
miles) south of Coventry and 4 km (2.5 miles) west of Leamington Spa.
Warwick hosts annual festivals ranging from the Spoken Word to Classical and
Contemporary Music to a Folk Festival and the Victorian Evening, held in
late November or early December. The town is also famous for Warwick Castle,
the construction of which began in 1068. The town centre is also known for
its historic architecture, and contains a mixture of Tudor and 17th-century
buildings.
West Bromwich is a town in
the Metropolitan Borough of Sandwell, in the West Midlands and the
traditional county of Staffordshire, England, five miles north west of
Birmingham lying on the A41 London to Holyhead road. It is normally
considered to be part of the Black Country. West Bromwich is the largest
town within the Borough of Sandwell with a population of 136,940 (2001).
West Bromwich is a town in
the Metropolitan Borough of Sandwell, in the West Midlands, five miles north
west of Birmingham lying on the A41 London to Holyhead road. It is normally
considered to be part of the Black Country. West Bromwich is the largest
town within the Borough of Sandwell with a population of 136,940 (2001). |