Between London and Liverpool...

[summerisle]

Queen Victoria used to have the curtains of her train carriage drawn between London and the north so she didn't have to look at the grimness of the midlands. Hence the term 'the black country '

The accepted version is because of of its industry, in particular, coal.

 

[Tree13]

Oxford is worth a visit - city of dreaming spires and some cracking pubs.

Seconded. Oxford is a really beautiful city. You'd be mad not to visit.