Barrow upon Soar

Three preserved railway stations dot this quiet Leicestershire town, testament to its proud transport heritage. Barrow upon Soar sits comfortably along the River Soar, a proper working river town that's managed to keep its character while the surrounding areas have sprawled. The Great Central Railway runs right through here - you can catch steam trains from the local station and rattle through the countryside like it's 1953.

Stonehurst Family Farm and Motor Museum makes for a cracking afternoon out, especially if you've got kids in tow. It's one of those places that does exactly what it says on the tin - farm animals and vintage motors under one roof. The Barrow-upon-Soar War Memorial stands proudly in the town centre, a focal point that locals still gather around for remembrance events.

Loughborough's just down the road if you need proper shops or a decent curry, but Barrow's got enough pubs and cafes to keep you going. The surrounding countryside is classic Leicestershire - rolling fields, plenty of footpaths, and that gentle landscape that never tries too hard to impress but somehow always does.

Getting here couldn't be easier. The M1 runs close by, and you've got regular trains to Leicester and Nottingham from the local station. Truth, Labour and Knowledge gallery adds an unexpected cultural note - worth a look if contemporary art's your thing.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense for exploring this bit of the East Midlands. You're close enough to Loughborough for university visits, Leicester for shopping, and the Charnwood Forest for proper walks. Plus you can hop on those heritage trains whenever the mood takes you.