The Abbey

The Abbey theatre in Oxford is a proper working venue that doubles as a training ground for drama students, which means you get real performances without the West End ticket prices. It's housed in a converted Victorian building with an intimate 200-seat studio space - the kind of theatre where you can actually see the actors' faces without binoculars.

You'll see everything from classical drama to experimental new work here. The programmes shift regularly, so it's worth checking what's on before you visit. If you're dragging kids along, pick a family-friendly show rather than expecting them to sit through a three-hour Russian tragedy. The building itself has character - creaky floors, proper theatre smell, the works.

It's free to wander in during the day to check the space out, though you'll obviously pay for tickets if there's a performance on. Allow an hour or so if you're catching a show, plus a pint in one of Oxford's many pubs afterwards. The theatre sits right in the city centre, so you're minutes from High Street bustle.

For caravan holidays, Durham Leys Farm is just 4.5 miles away and gets excellent reviews - makes a solid base for exploring Oxford's theatres, colleges and bookshops. Bablock Hythe is slightly further but equally well-regarded if you want something a touch quieter. Both parks put you within easy reach of an evening's entertainment without needing to drive home tipsy.