New Manor Ground

The ground itself is modest - a proper football pitch with stands that have seen better days, but that's rather the point. New Manor Ground is where you come if you're interested in non-league football, the sort of thing that happens on Saturday afternoons when nobody's watching except the people who actually care. It's the home of Ilkeston Town FC, a club with genuine roots in the local community, nothing corporate about it.

You'll spend an hour or two here if you catch a match, maybe grab a drink in the clubhouse afterwards. The atmosphere is straightforward and friendly - stewards know regulars by name, that sort of thing. Not a day out for neutrals, really, unless you're into the grassroots side of the sport and want to see football without the circus.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Meadow View Glamping is only 3.5 miles away, or Bleinheim Farm just beyond that - you could easily slot a match day into a longer break. The ground sits near Nottingham, so you're well-placed for exploring proper attractions too. Check the fixture list before you book a holiday around it, though; Saturday crowds are what make it worth the visit. Mid-week games can feel a bit thin on the ground, quite literally.