Where to stay for a week, not too far from the NEC

We would be grateful for some ideas from otrhers who know the area within (say) 30 miles of the NEC, Birmingham.  We have a week we can get away and would like to spend a day at the NEC for the Caravan show ( I realise that's a dangerous thing to do - we have no plan to change the van.....).

What we'd like to do is spend time in the area and are wondering what else we could do in a week there.  It would be new ground for us.  OK, there's Birmingham but that's not quite what we had in mind (nothing against the city, but the idea of getting in, parking and finding our way around doesn't appeal).- we like small towns, countryside, water. pubs, National Trust places, walks (not too difficult).

So we'd be interested in any idea for what area to stay in, bearing in mind that on one day we will want to get to the NEC without more than (say) a 30-ish minute drive.