Powell Theatre

The Powell Theatre sits in Uxbridge, a proper little cultural hub that doesn't get nearly enough attention from visitors heading out to the Buckinghamshire parks. It's a working theatre - the kind of place where you'll catch everything from pantomime to contemporary drama, depending on what's on when you visit.

Inside, it's got that intimate feel you don't always find in bigger regional venues. The seating's decent enough, sightlines are proper, and there's a real sense that the folk running it care about what happens on stage. Whether you're after a night out during school holidays or want to catch some live performance while camping nearby, it's the sort of venue that makes a midweek evening actually feel special.

Historically minded types will get a kick out of it - there's genuine theatre heritage here. Families with older kids won't find it a drag, though younger ones might fidget through two hours depending on what's playing. The website will tell you what's on and prices, though I'd ring ahead just to be sure of availability.

If you're staying at Wyatts Covert Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite, just three miles out, or Highclere Caravan and Camping Park a touch further on, the theatre makes a natural evening plan when the weather turns. It's the sort of thing that transforms a park holiday from pleasant to actually memorable - proper entertainment without the drive into London.