Carlisle

Stone keeps and Victorian terraces tell the story of England's last great frontier city. Carlisle wears its border heritage proudly - this is where Roman emperors built Hadrian's Wall, where medieval kings fought Scottish raiders, and where the railway boom transformed a garrison town into Cumberland's commercial heart.

The red sandstone cathedral dominates the old quarter, but it's the castle that really captures imaginations. Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned here. So were Jacobite rebels after Culloden. Walking the ramparts, you can see why this spot commanded the western marches for nearly a thousand years.

Carlisle Racecourse draws proper crowds during the summer season, especially for the Cumberland Plate meeting. Between races, the surrounding countryside offers plenty to explore. Ancient woodlands like Redgill Wood and Taylor's Wood provide excellent walking, while Lalbuss Plantation has decent mountain bike trails.

Getting here couldn't be easier - the M74 sweeps down from Scotland, while the West Coast Main Line connects directly to London and Glasgow. The city centre is compact enough to walk, though you'll want wheels to reach the best bits of countryside.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense. Places like Wallace Lane Farm Holiday Park put you within striking distance of both the Lake District fells and the Solway coast, while Eden Valley Glamping offers a more upmarket base for exploring Hadrian's Wall country. The city itself has decent restaurants and pubs, but nothing beats having your own space after a long day tramping Roman ruins or tackling the fells.