Lichfield

Lichfield is a charming cathedral city in Staffordshire. The first cathedral was consecrated in the late 7th century by St. Chad in what was then the kingdom of Mercia. The cathedral that stands today dates mostly from the 12th to early 14th centuries, though it was badly damaged by Oliver Cromwell during the Civil War. Unique among British cathedrals in that it has three spires, Lichfield cathedral can also claim to have some of the finest stained glass windows in the country.

Lichfield’s most famous son, Doctor Samuel Johnson, was born here in 1709 and his birthplace in Breadmarket Street is now a museum. Johnson is widely regarded as the 18th century’s greatest man of letters for his undertaking to compile the first English language dictionary.

Market Square is right in the centre of the city, on Tuesdays there is a craft market held here and on Fridays and Saturdays a general market. Conduit Street has delightful shops underneath, including the old Corn Exchange. Lichfield also has a good selection of antique shops and bookshops for old or new books.