Leicestershire is in the centre of England. The uplands are rich and fertile farm land with industry and some mining to the East and West. A large part of the northwest of the county, around Coalville, forms part of the new National Forest.

Lincolnshire is in the East of England, on the Humber estuary, the North Sea and The Wash. The county is generally low and flat, with extensive marshes along the coast. It is crossed by many dikes and canals, some of which, notably the Foss Dyke, date back to Roman times. Today the wide open Fenlands are crisscrossed by quiet roads, waterways, footpaths and cycle routes and punctuated by pretty villages and windmills. The Wolds has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, big skies over undulating landscapes, picture postcard villages and friendly market towns. The Lincolnshire Coast provides two very different seaside experiences - The Fun Coast stretching from Skegness to Mablethorpe and the contrasting Rural Coast providing tranquility.

Northamptonshire is in central England. The terrain is glorious, undulating agricultural country, devoted to pasture and forests with the Nene as the main river.

Nottinghamshire is partially reclaimed fenland, low-lying and fertile and is famous for Robin Hood. Nottinghamshire was home to the poet Lord Byron and the author D H Lawrence.

Rutland is in central England. It is the smallest county in England, measuring just 16 miles by 16 miles. It has two historic market towns Oakham and Uppingham and 54 beautiful villages spread across the rolling, rural landscape.