Gloucester

Ancient docks meet modern regeneration in this cathedral city where Roman walls still mark out streets lined with converted warehouses. Gloucester proper sits where the River Severn cuts through Gloucestershire, its famous cathedral dominating the skyline while the historic docks area draws visitors with waterside cafes and the National Waterways Museum.

The cathedral itself is a stunner - those fan vaults in the cloisters were used as Hogwarts corridors in the Harry Potter films. Fair enough too, given how atmospheric they are on a grey afternoon. Beyond the city centre, you're spoilt for woodland walks. Mordon's Wood and Prior's Grove offer proper countryside rambles just minutes from the urban sprawl.

Sports fans might catch something at Hartpury Stadium, while families often prefer exploring the network of paths through Young Croft Brake or the larger expanses of Barrow Wood. These aren't manicured park spaces - they're proper woodlands where you can lose the noise of the A40 and M5.

Getting here couldn't be easier. Junction 12 of the M5 puts you right on the doorstep, while the railway station connects directly to Birmingham and London. It's only 8 miles to Cheltenham if you fancy the races or some upmarket shopping.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense for exploring both Gloucester and the wider Cotswolds. Court Farm Camping and Norton Park Lodges sit close enough for easy cathedral visits, while places like Briarfields Touring Caravan Park give you countryside peace after a day tramping round the docks. The Forest of Dean beckons to the west, while the Malverns rise to the north - proper walking country all of it.