Gloucester

Industrial heritage meets rural Gloucestershire in this working town that sits between the M5 and the Cotswold escarpment. Gloucester proper feels refreshingly unpretentious - no tourist coaches clogging the streets, just a proper market town getting on with business. The cathedral quarter draws most visitors, but venture beyond and you'll find decent pubs, independent shops, and that unmistakable buzz of a place where people actually live and work.

From here, the surrounding countryside opens up beautifully. Slimbridge lies just south, famous for its wildfowl trust and wetlands that stretch towards the Severn estuary. The war memorial there marks a village that's seen centuries of change, from medieval settlement to modern conservation hub. Northward, Cam and Dursley cluster around the railway line, with Dursley Town Hall anchoring a small market town that's managed to keep its character despite modern development pressures.

Nebrow Hill offers cracking views across the vale - worth the climb on a clear day when you can see right across to the Welsh hills. The Priory adds a touch of medieval atmosphere to proceedings, though it's hardly Tintern Abbey in terms of drama.

Getting here couldn't be easier. Junction 13 of the M5 puts you right in the thick of it, while Cam and Dursley station connects to the wider rail network. Bristol's barely an hour south, making this a sensible base for exploring both the Cotswolds and the Forest of Dean.

Staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense. You're close enough to nip into town for supplies or a proper meal, but far enough out to enjoy the countryside. The Severn Valley sites put you right in prime walking territory, while the Cotswold edge parks offer easy access to both hills and vale.