(Central Avenue, West Bridgford, Nottingham . Tel. 0115 981 1419) This popular bar/restaurant chain is now up and running again after its extensive refurbishment. A fantastic choice for good, British food.

  (Westminster Drive, Upper Saxondale, Nottingham. Tel. 0115 933 4500) This new restaurant, just a few kilometres south of the city centre, specialises in Eastern food, including Japanese and Malaysian, as well as the predictable (but no less delicious) Cantonese and Thai.

  (Main Street, Clipsham, Rutland. Tel. 0178 041 0355) This quintessential village pub is a cut above the rest and attracts those in the know from miles around. Try the home-made damson vodka if you’re not driving.

  (The Square, Bakewell, Derbyshire . Tel. 01629 812812) Set inside a beautiful large country house, this one-time winner of the Peak District Cuisine competition boasts an extensive continental-style menu with high-quality local produce. Try the honey-roasted lamb shank with mustard mash potatoes.

  (8-10 Broadway Lace Market, Nottingham . Tel. 0115 941 0243) This chilled-out venue is worth a look if you’re in the Lace Market, one of the more interesting places in the city centre.

  (Nanpantan Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire. Tel. 01509 216333) Jazz at The Priory mainly features Dixieland and New Orleans-style jazz on Thursday, with 20 regular bands and occasional newcomers.

  (Nottingham Boat Club, North Trent Bridge, Nottingham. Tel. 0115 981 1251) Despite a history lost in the mists of time, this recently revamped venue still comes up with the music goods, on a brilliant riverside location.

Nottingham is the flagship store for women’s lingerie chain Intimas. Not just pretty-pretty stuff, but more down-to-earth maternity and comfortable must-haves, too (Low Pavement, Nottingham).

Rufford Park, near Ollerton in Nottinghamshire, is one of area’s most under-appreciated tourist venues. The Abbey is wonderful to look around, and there are events in the country park, from brass bands to the local kite fliers’ club meetings to crafts markets.

Oakham, in Leicestershire, has some of the most stylish shops in the Midlands. The High Street is well worth a stroll, and there are plenty of stop-off establishments for ladies (and gentlemen) who lunch.

It's a month of extremes in Nottingham. See loudmouth comedian Dara O’Briain, of Mock the Week fame, at the Royal Concert Hall on 14 May (Tel. 0115 989 5555), or hear the Dalai Lama speak at The Arena on 24-28 May (Tel. 0870 121 0123).

 – England's smallest county embraces two major market towns, Oakham and Uppingham, and is well worth a visit for its quaint shops. In addition, there are 54 rural villages, a wealth of museums, including the Rutland Railway Museum near Cottesmore, and stately homes such as Lyddington Bede House.

The almost 20-metre high red-white-and-blue striped maypole on the village green at Wellow, in Nottinghamshire, is reputed to be the tallest permanent maypole in the country—complete with cockerel perched on top. Made of steel, it was erected to celebrate the Queen's Silver Jubilee, replacing the ancient wooden original that was rotting away.