Location

As I have previously said, I was looking for a little peace and quiet from the hustle and bustle of the M6 when I ‘found’ Lichfield. I had stopped at Rugeley for supplies (a couple of sandwiches, a Mars bar and a bottle of mineral water) and was looking for somewhere to eat in peace. After a while I espied, across to my left the ‘Ladies of the Vale’ and thought “Ummm they look inviting!”

 The Lichfield city sign hove into view and after a few more minutes a green park on the left. Perfect, now, where to park? Well that was a bit of a problem but after driving around for a while I managed to park outside the police station, next to the park. Little stream, park bench and warmish sunshine soon led to the containers of lunch resting among their like in the waste bin. A little stroll perhaps?

The population of Lichfield has nearly trebled since it was earmarked for over-spill housing from Birmingham in the late 1940’s early 50’s, but despite this massive growth the city fathers seem to have held on to the essential pleasures of the older city structure. Parks look beautiful and the many ponds, pools and streams bring a breath of countryside into the middle of the city.

There is an air of unspoilt charm about the place, a certain something that suggests a quiet comfort in being just a little off the main tourist trap routes.

If you are travelling north/south or east/west then do as the Romans did, buy a couple of sandwiches and a bottle of mineral water and bide-a-while in Lichfield, Staffordshire, England.