Chippenham

A proper market town that's kept its feet on the ground despite the M4 thundering past. Chippenham sits comfortably in north Wiltshire, close enough to Bath for a day trip but with none of the tourist crowds that swamp its famous neighbour.

The town centre has that lived-in feel you get in places where real people actually shop and work. Market day brings a bit of life to the high street, though it's admittedly quieter midweek. What Chippenham lacks in headline attractions, it makes up for in location - you're perfectly placed to explore some cracking Wiltshire countryside without fighting for parking spaces.

Stock Wood and the surrounding forests make for decent walks if you fancy stretching your legs. The landscape here is proper English countryside - rolling fields, ancient woodlands like Priory Wood and Easton Wood, and enough footpaths to keep you busy for a fortnight. Rat Hill offers decent views across the Avon Valley on a clear day.

For something completely different, M4 Karting provides a shot of adrenaline just outside town. The kids will love it, and frankly, so will you.

Getting here couldn't be easier - Chippenham station puts you on the main London to Bristol line, and the M4 junction 17 is right on the doorstep. Bath's about 20 minutes down the road, Bristol's 40 minutes the other way.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense. You get the best of both worlds - peaceful countryside camping at places like Burton Hill Caravan & Camping Park or The Retreat Glamping, while staying within easy reach of proper shops, decent pubs, and those excellent transport links. It's an honest base for exploring Wiltshire without the tourist tax.