About Us

Welcome! We’re Ariel and Billy

And we are digital content creators, part-time travellers, photographers, avid hikers, parents to a toddler, and the authors behind Explore The Heart of England.

I (Ariel) have been a West Midlands resident since 2016 when I moved here from Hong Kong, while Billy was born and bred here. We’ve travelled all around the world – visiting 40+ countries – over a decade.

Since 2020, we’ve focused on domestic travel – seeing the sights in Britain, and then we began properly exploring our very own backyard, the West Midlands, and have not looked back!

After living in Birmingham and Wolverhampton until 2023, we moved to Stoke-on-Trent where Billy has family, and have been exploring this historic city ever since we bought our first house here. You could say we are officially Stokies (the name given to Stoke locals).

We are here to be your Midlands travel bestie – your guide to all things Brum, Black Country, Staffordshire, and Shropshire, the West Midlands region.. basically the heart of England!

Our Backstory

Who am I? I’m Ariel, a performing artist, blogger, and photographer by profession, and lover of outdoor adventure. I happen to be profoundly deaf too, but that’s never stopped me achieving my dreams. Read more about me here.

And I’m Billy, also a performing artist and a blogger by profession, and I’m also profoundly deaf. A fan of going off the beaten path and a coffee fanatic, I’ve always wanted to travel the world since I was really young. You can read about me here.

So, I first met Billy when he travelled to my home city of Hong Kong in 2013 to teach dance workshops during his first visit to Asia. However it wasn’t until 2016 that we finally got together, on Billy’s second visit to Hong Kong.

By that point, we’d both already been to many countries around the world individually. Aside from trips around Europe, North America and Southeast Asia, I’d spent a working holiday in Australia and New Zealand for a year, while Billy spent 6 months living in India and teaching English there.

We’ve been fortunate that our work as street dancers / dance instructors / performing artists has taken us around the world. And since 2016, I’ve worked with Billy in the UK, mostly in Birmingham, where we’ve created outdoor performances and Hip Hop theatre shows, as well as provided residencies in schools around the Midlands and the rest of the UK.

Where We’ve Lived / Travelled in the UK:

England – London, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, West Midlands, Staffordshire, The Cotswolds, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Derby, Nottingham, Mansfield, Doncaster, York, Blackpool, Newbury, Basingstoke, Reading, Salisbury, Bristol, Bath, Poole, Bournemouth, Devon, Cornwall
Wales – Cardiff, Newport, Swansea, Tenby, Caernarfon, Llandudno, Powys
Scotland – Edinburgh, Glasgow
Northern Ireland – Belfast

Why do we blog about the Midlands?

• To inspire and empower our readers to explore the best destinations and hidden gems in the heart of England
• To show you all that travel can be very affordable and accessible, even for those on a shoestring budget
• To share all our travel experiences, both the successes and the downsides, to help readers learn from our journey and avoid making the same mistakes that we made
• To cultivate a sense of confidence and curiosity in our audience, pulling them outside of their comfort zones
• To show that with a little planning and an adventurous spirit, the rewards of travel are endless

Have you ever asked yourself:

➡️ How can I find the most unique and memorable experiences in the heart of England, regardless of the weather?
➡️ What are the best ways to save money while exploring this beautiful region?
➡️ Where are the hidden gems that most tourists don’t know about?
➡️ How can I plan the perfect itinerary to make the most of my time in the Midlands?
➡️ What are the must-see attractions and activities to lose myself in the local culture?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you’ve come to the right place! Our travel blog is dedicated to helping you uncover the very best of England’s Midlands region.

What can this blog do for you?

Explore the Heart of England is all about sharing our insider knowledge and top tips to help you plan an unforgettable adventure in the Midlands.

We’re here to share with you some of the most exciting hidden gems around the Midlands that most people have never heard of. We’re talking sleepy market towns packed with history, medieval hilltop castles surrounded by alpacas, and cascading waterfalls deep within royal forests.

We are also on a mission to sample and try foods and beverages from lesser-known restaurants, cafes, pubs, bistros and food stalls and give our thorough reviews and recommendations to ensure you avoid disappointment.

With years of experience and trial and error exploring and living in this incredible part of the country, we’ve learned all the tricks to finding the most authentic experiences, the untapped and undiscovered treasures, and the best value for your money. We’re here to share our wisdom to make the most of your travels.

The Midlands is often overlooked by many a visitor to the UK. That’s exactly why we’re so passionate about this incredible region. Sure, it was once the industrial powerhouse driving Britain’s manufacturing might. That gritty heritage is something to be proud of. But peel back the layers, and you’ll find a kaleidoscope of vibrant cultures seamlessly meshing with deep-rooted traditions. Every corner holds a new surprise – from edgy street art to cosy Tudor pubs. The West Midlands has soul. Our mission? To let you in on this best-kept secret.

– Ariel

On Explore the Heart of England, you’ll find:

✅ Detailed itineraries for short breaks and longer holidays in the Midlands
✅ Budgeting guides to help you maximize your travel funds
✅ Insider recommendations for the most unique activities
✅ Compilations of the top attractions, both famous and off-the-beaten-path
✅ Tips for getting around the region by public transport or self-drive
✅ Insights into the rich history, culture, and gastronomy of the Midlands
✅ First-hand accounts of our own travel experiences and lessons learned
✅ Interviews with local experts, influencers, and fellow travel enthusiasts

We want you to experience the real warmth and richness that makes the Midlands such a hidden gem. This place has more character than you ever imagined.”

– Billy