Lichfield - The Cathedral City

Lichfield, a pint-sized city that doesn't take a minute get to know. I won't lie I took inspiration for the title of this blog from my favorite cheese 'Cathedral City' but Lichfield isn't famous for cheese its known for its amazing cathedral that's steeped in over 674 years of history. Do you know who wrote one of the first English dictionaries? Patience is a virtue! Aside from those points to tell, Lichfield has so much more to tell for a pocket size city that's just thirty minutes from Birmingham city center by train. 

Dr. Samuel Johnson was born in Lichfield in 1709 to become the publisher of the first English dictionary. I love to write and blog but I don't think I'll be writing an English dictionary, well I do use some unusual words sometimes in my blogs? Captured to the left is one of the original copies of the first dictionaries at the Dr. Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum in Lichfield. I had been to Lichfield a handful of times before making my most recent visit because I just wanted to do some exploring and see some places that I never got the chance to see. I took the tour around the Birthplace Museum to see what Johnson had really accomplished for I'll be honest that I didn't know a whole lot. Located on Breadmarket Street in the heart of Lichfield's ever quaint city center the original features of the building are truly remarkable. Learning that the Dr. did not have to best start in life with a failed start at university but luck found him for he even got the chance to socialise during his later years. Not bad at all! 

Fame and fortune in the 1700's brings a different stature compared to the range of today's celebutantes, or in simple terms 'Wannabe's!' Getting from the big smoke to the city of Lichfield is so easy by train from Birmingham New Street station and no dictionary shall judge you! I'm moving with the times by not leaving a donation at a charitable organisation or museum for I see a blog as a great way to shout out and great a buzz about something worthwhile. Lichfield's great minds go from Dr. Johnson to another formidable character that has more of a reference to the arts. Samuel Johnson was friends with David Garrick, an actor who caused quite a stir through his time and now has a theater named after him in the city called the Lichfield Garrick Theatre. I surprised myself because I don't really care for museums and the Dr. Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum did impress me much! I must admit that this section sounds rather like a history lesson but that's just what I saw. Lichfield has definitely got it going on!

Close enough to Birmingham but within easy reach of the Great British countryside, Lichfield is a city that offers something different from the big smoke. Like many cities its makes up for its smaller size with an abundance of original features and winding streets that made me forget I was only thirty minutes away from Birmingham by train. Captured to the right is a normal street that's just around the corner from the Dr. Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum that's home to a range of independent cafes, hair salons and sweet shops so everyone is catered for. I take a lot of things for face value so Lichfield ticked the boxes for me. Being a city boy I'm use to busy streets and lots of unnecessary trouble but I chose Lichfield to get away for a few hours to seek a new adventure. I have relatives who used to call Lichfield their home so I was quite familiar with the streets of the city centre, I do have a sense of direction but due to my advantage I chose to save it for another time when I might need it. 

Why did I choose Lichfield? Now that is a very good question! I cast my mind back to December 2013 when I wanted to seek a new adventure, so tweeting up a storm I came across the twitter account of Visit Lichfield and the rest is history, but I must admit that life does get in the way so I got myself to Lichfield before a ridiculous amount of time would of past. For a pint-sized city I must say that Lichfield has bore some great minds from the writer Dr. Samuel Johnson to the actor David Garrick there's much to make this city very famous for its historical figures. Someone must of cast a spell on Lichfield! I just wish I could transport some of that small town city vibe to my love for living in bustling cities but Lichfield can keep its charm, its just not good to steal! I did come across the Erasmus Darwin House, former home of the physician who I think achieved a fair amount in his time but I decided against taking in another museum for the weather was just lovely the day that I took a chance on Lichfield. Let's Love Lichfield!

Lichfield has one incredible cathedral so I saved the best till last. Dating back to 674 years or so it's no secret that Lichfield's cathedral makes this town city pop! I'm not religious but I just can't say no to exploring a new place of worship, call it a cultural and spiritual encounter. My last visit to Lichfield cathedral must have been when I was at secondary school so this time I had the chance to see this inspiring place of worship. I took my time to see the interior of the cathedral to get the most of my whistlestop day in Lichfield. Choosing to light two candles because that's just what I do when I pay a visit to a church or cathedral in Lichfield's case. Dating back to the medieval times Lichfield cathedral holds one of England's most unspoilt streets that's known as Cathedral Close, which is also the location of the Erasmus Darwin House so in theory I took the time out of my day to visit a further museum without loosing sight of my day. Lichfield you've got one super cathedral, 674 years is a long time! 

Cathedrals, winding streets and its own dictionary means that Lichfield is a city that has the potential to inspire us all. A budget is what I am on so my limited funds worked well with the cheap train fare to Lichfield and also indulging in a McDonald's for lunch so I saved the pennies to make into pounds! I now have a clear understanding about where the dictionary comes from and who wrote such a piece of text. As for a cathedral that dates back to the deepest stages of yesterday I really don't know how to put into words, oh I do but that did sound rather dramatic. Keep those stress levels down by choosing a smaller and picturesque city for even an afternoon. From famous figures that have left a lasting presence on Lichfield and the wider country, from dictionaries to a theater I don't know if I could carry on with the likes of Johnson and Garrick. If the city gets too much I suggest that anybody should take the train to Lichfield to experience a Staffordshire city with a small town feeling! Lichfield is the cathedral city! 

Let's Love Lichfield!Joseph Harrison