WEST MIDLANDS

West Midlands was formed as a Metropolitan county in 1974 and contains the cities of Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Coventry. The county was made up of parts of the historic counties of Staffordshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire.

West Midlands is largely an urban county, where much of England's industry is based. The area has a long and rich history, museums, art galleries and superb shopping and dining facilities. It also has a network of canals which offers opportunities for cruising, walking and cycling along the banks. There are three Green Belt areas within the county. Meriden Gap - some 15 miles across - lies between Birmingham and Coventry. Barr Beacon is a hill on the edge of Walsall while the Sandhill Valley is home to the RSPB Nature Reserve and Sandwell Valley Country Park.

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FINE & COUNTRY IN THIS COUNTY