This is the East Midlands.

A special place that's home to the UK's most welcoming people, we're famous for our heritage, dramatic landscapes and pork pies! The birthplace of many a famous Englishman, perhaps our most famous son is Robin Hood. In fact, being home to several English Civil War battlefields, you could say we've a well-established rebellious streak. And this readiness to embrace new ideas means the modern East Midlands are vibrant and multicultural. So, if pork pies are off your menu, you've the luxury of choosing from some of the UK's finest Asian cuisine!

All this makes the East Midlands a place where big ideas become reality. What else would you expect from the home of Britain's first National Park?

Here's the low-down.

Housing

Whether you're attracted to the bright lights of the city or calm of the country, the East Midlands can accommodate any lifestyle choice.

The average house price is £146,183. From Bands A - H, council tax is considerably lower than the national average.

Schools

The East Midlands has some of the best performing state schools in Britain. There is a good selection of mixed and single sex options to choose from. No mention of education in the East Midlands would be complete without mentioning Repton School in Derbyshire. Founded in 1557, it's one of the UK's most famous co-educational public schools and some of its buildings date back to the 12th century.

Find out more about schools in the East Midlands by visiting www.ofsted.gov.uk

City Life

The cities of Nottingham, Leicester and Birmingham gives the East Midlands a cosmopolitan feel all of its own. Museums, restaurants, theatres, bright lights and multicultural delights - the list goes on and on. And with the impending regeneration of Derby city centre, the region is one of the most up and coming in the UK.

Countryside

With Britain's first national park, the Peak District, covering 1,438 km2 (555 sq. miles) of the region, there's a lot of wide open space to explore. Other outstanding areas of beauty include Sherwood Forest and birdwatcher's wetland paradise 'The Wash'.

Transport

Based in the heart of England, the East Midlands boasts amongst the best road and rail links in the country. If you want to spread your wings a little further, then two International Airports: East Midlands and Robin Hood are but a short journey away.

Religion

As you'd expect with such a diverse region, all major faiths are catered for. And don't forget your party clothes. Festivals such as Christmas, Carnival, Diwali, Eid and Vaisakhi form a big part of the social calendar.

10 things to do in the East Midlands

Turn top gun and fly-by the home of the Red Arrows at Scampton in Lincolnshire
Walk in the footsteps of Pride and Prejudice's Mr Darcy at Chatsworth House at Bakewell in Derbyshire
Whether you're a Friar Tuck or Maid Marion, join Robin Hood's band of merry men in Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire
Celebrate the victory of light over darkness at Leicester's famous Hindu Diwali festival
Go underground and visit the spectacular Blue John Cavern and Mine in
Castleton in Derbyshire
Witness the large-scale regeneration of Derby's City Centre tak
Go dizzy on the 'Heights of Abraham' cable car ride in the picturesque village of Matlock Bath in Derbyshire
Watch Premiership Football at Derby County's ultra-modern Pride Park Stadium
See for yourself just why Derbyshire's Peak District was chosen to be England's first National Park
Gaze at the stars at The National Space Centre in Leicester

For further information on things to do please visit:

www.upmystreet.com

www.visitbritain.com