Fordingbridge

Tudor cottages line the banks where the River Avon curves through ancient water meadows, and the Georgian high street feels properly lived-in rather than prettified for tourists. Fordingbridge sits right on the edge of the New Forest, making it one of those rare market towns that hasn't lost its working character to weekend crowds.

The real draw here is the countryside that rolls away in every direction. Breamore House and Countryside Museum tells the story of these chalk downs beautifully - it's a proper country house with Saxon church ruins in the grounds and farming displays that actually make sense. For something completely different, Bugad Classic Bikes showcases vintage motorcycles in a way that appeals even if you've never ridden pillion.

Walking is what brings most people here though. The network of footpaths from town takes you up onto the downs - Pistle Hill and Mount Ararat give cracking views back over the Avon Valley, whilst Blackheath Down and Stone Hill offer different perspectives entirely. It's proper chalk downland walking, the kind where you can see for miles on a clear day.

Getting here is straightforward enough - Salisbury is just twelve miles north and has the nearest train station. The A338 brings you right into town from either direction. What makes the area work so well for a longer stay is that combination of forest walks to the south and downland rambling to the north and west.

Staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense when you want to explore both landscapes properly. You're close enough to walk into town for supplies, but far enough out to wake up to birdsong rather than traffic. The Memorial Garden by the river makes a lovely spot for a picnic after a morning's walking.