Burton-on-Trent

The scent of hops still lingers in the air around Burton-on-Trent, though the town's reputation as the brewing capital of Britain feels more like a fond memory these days. This isn't the industrial powerhouse it once was, but there's something quietly appealing about its unhurried pace and Victorian red-brick streets.

Stapenhill Gardens offers a proper escape from the town centre - a lovely nature reserve where you can wander along the Trent without dodging traffic. The adjacent Stapenhill Woodland Walk & Riverside Walk extends the experience nicely, perfect for working off a pub lunch. Burton's artistic side emerges at the Brewhouse Arts Centre, housed in a converted Victorian brewery building that still commands respect.

Several galleries dot the town, including Stapenhill Swan and the oddly-named Monumite, though don't expect London-level exhibitions. What Burton does well is provide an honest base for exploring Staffordshire's gentler pleasures.

Getting here couldn't be simpler - Burton-on-Trent station sits on the main Derby to Birmingham line, with regular services from most Midlands towns. The A38 runs straight through if you're driving, making it dead easy to reach from the M6 corridor.

Staying at one of the nearby parks like Hill Farm Camping & Caravan Park or Broadleaves Glamping puts you within striking distance of the Peak District's southern edges and Derbyshire's market towns. Burton works as a quiet staging post rather than a destination in itself - and there's nothing wrong with that approach sometimes.