'''Lichfield''' is a city and civil parish in Staffordshire, England. One of seven civil parishes with city status in England, Lichfield has a population of 31,000 & is situated 16 miles north of Birmingham and 124 miles northwest of London.
Lichfield is notable for its three-spired cathedral and as the birthplace of Dr. Johnson, the writer of the first authoritative Dictionary of the English Language. A Dictionary of the English Language, one of the most influential dictionaries in the history of the English language, was prepared by Samuel Johnson and published on April 15, 1755. Today Lichfield still retains its old importance as an ecclesiastical centre, but its industrial and commercial development has been relatively small; the centre of the city thus retains an essentially old-world character, with pockets of historic charm.
Get in
By road
Lichfield is well placed for the main road network being close to the A38, A5 and M6 (Toll) so is easy to get to by car. Parking can be more of an issue as the number of spaces is often not sufficient to cope with demand, especially on Saturdays. However, the city does not usually get busy until mid morning on Saturdays and before Christmas, so early birds do well.
Main car parks are as follows:
Multi-storey car park situated near Lichfield City Station - warning tight spaces;
The Friary - Large car park, but a little further from the centre;
Cross Keys - Recently built two storey car park;
Off Beacon Street - Large car park at rear of shops, but tends to fill up first
By rail
Lichfield has 2 stations. It is on the Cross City Line from Birmingham with hourly trains terminating either at Lichfield City Station or one stop further at Lichfield Trent Valley.
The City Station is adjacent to the centre and is the easiest way for rail travellers to get in to the city.
Trent Valley Station is really useful because it is on the West Coast Main Line with regular direct trains to London, Manchester, Glasgow and Liverpool. Other trains run to Rugby, Nuneaton, Stafford and Tamworth.
By bus
Bus routes into the city visit the Bus Station, which is adjacent to Lichfield City Station and main shopping areas. Buses serve destinations including Stafford, Rugeley, Tamworth, Cannock and local villages.
Get around
Lichfield is small enough to be able to get around most of the areas of interest in the centre on foot. There are local buses running on selected routes, but they are only really of use to residents.
See
There are many things to see and do in the centre of Lichfield and in the surrounding area. Within Lichfield, the main places to visit are:
Lichfield Cathedral and Cathedral Close - World's only Medieval Cathedral with 3 Spires, dates back to the 7th Century.
Darwin House
Lichfield International Festival - well established major Music & Arts Festival every July with famous international performers at venues throughout Lichfield. [http://www.lichfieldfestival.org/].
Dr Johnson Birthplace Museum - inventor of the Dictionary and amongst England's best known literary figures. Dr Johnson was an essayist, poet, biographer, lexicographer and a critic of English Literature. Also considered to be a great wit and prose stylist, he was well known for his aphorisms. The single most quoted English writer after Shakespeare.
St. Mary's Heritage Centre - housing a Lichfield museum in central Lichfield market square
Minster Pool and Stowe Pool
Dam Street, the Market Place and Corn Exchange
Beacon Park - huge expanse of recreational parkland
Milley's Hospital
St. Johns without the Bars
Do
Buy
Eat
Within the city there are many good places to eat out, most are situated on Bird Street. They are typically of high quality and attract customers from outside the city. Recommended restaurants include:
'''Indian'''
Eastern Eye
Qmin
Lal Bagh
'''Chinese'''
Ruby
Lee Garden
Crystals
'''Thai'''
Thai Rainbow
'''Spanish'''
Don Paco
'''Italian'''
Pizza by Goli
'''Cafes'''
Cafe Nero
The Lounge
Dovestons
'''Fast food'''
MacDonalds
Subway
Numerous pizza, kebab and fish and chip shops
On Friday nights a mobile fish and chip van drives around much of Lichfield cooking and serving as they go - the food couldn't be fresher!
Drink
'''Queens Head''', Queen St, 01543 410932. Legendary and friendly pub just outside of the city centre serving 6 top quality Real Ales. There is a huge cheese counter where customers can order cheese, pickles, bread to soak up the beer !
'''Earl of Lichfield''', Conduit St, 01543 251020. Popular city centre pub serving well kept Marston's Pedigree from nearby Burton on Trent.
Sleep
Best Western George Hotel. ird Street. 1543 414822. 1543 415817. ttp://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=83789. PM. 1AM.
Swinfen Hall Hotel. 1543 481494. nfo@swinfenhallhotel.co.uk. 1543 480341. ttp://www.swinfenhallhotel.co.uk. oubles: __145-__160/__160-__175 (Su-Th/F-Sa).
Stay safe
As with the rest of the UK, in any '''emergency''' call '''999''' or '''112''' (from a land-line if you can) and ask for Ambulance, Fire or Police when connected. It is free to call the Emergency Services from Payphones.
Lichfield is a generally safe city with most crime levels well below the national average. Incidents of violent crime and sexual offences are very low. However, as with the rest of the United Kingdom it is advisable to avoid large drunken groups where possible as alcohol-related crime is on the rise throughout the country. It is also advisable to exercise normal security measures.
Get out