Shropshire Hills National Landscape

The Shropshire Hills roll out across the landscape like something from a watercolour painting - all rounded ridges and deep valleys that make you want to walk straight into them. This is proper countryside, the kind that takes your breath away without trying too hard. The National Landscape designation covers a large swathe of Shropshire, centred around Church Stretton, and it's the walking that defines the experience here. Paths crisscross the hills, from gentle valley strolls to proper ridge hikes that'll test your legs. The views from the top of Long Mynd or the Stiperstones are genuinely worth the climb - on a clear day you're looking at hills rolling away into Wales.

Walkers absolutely make up the core audience. Families with older kids will do well here too, though toddlers might find the steeper sections a slog. History buffs get something out of it as well - there's Iron Age hill forts dotted about if you know where to look. It's free to explore, naturally, and you can spend anywhere from an hour on a gentle loop to a full day tackling the ridgelines.

Stay at one of the campsites clustered near Church Stretton - Small Batch Camp Site is barely a mile away, or try Mountain Edge or Alderwood if you fancy something with a bit more comfort. The advantage of basing yourself here is that the hills are on your doorstep. No need for a drive to find something decent to walk. Early morning or late afternoon light transforms the landscape into something genuinely special.