Herefordshire

Ancient Welsh border country stretches endlessly here, where rolling hills hide Norman castles and woods that have stood for centuries. This corner of Herefordshire feels wonderfully remote - proper countryside where you'll share lanes with more sheep than cars.

Kilpeck Castle stands as a magnificent example of Norman military architecture, though it's the nearby Church of Saint Mary & Saint David that really steals the show with its extraordinarily detailed stone carvings. The craftsmanship is genuinely breathtaking. Gilbert's Hill Wood and Charlotte's Wood offer excellent walking, while the views from Bryngwyn Hill stretch right across to Wales on a clear day.

Kentchurch Court makes for a fascinating visit - this historic manor has been home to the same family for over 700 years. The Mynde provides another glimpse into the area's aristocratic past, though neither gets the crowds they deserve. Frankly, that's part of the appeal.

Walking here is superb. Garway Hill and Coed Angred Hill provide proper climbs with cracking panoramas, while the network of ancient woods - from Pistle Brook Wood to Towerhill Wood - offers gentler rambles through oak and beech groves. Many of these paths follow old drovers' routes that connected Wales to English markets.

Hereford lies about 20 miles northeast if you need proper shops or a railway station. The A465 provides the main road access, though the real joy here is exploring the maze of single-track lanes that wind between the hills. Staying at one of the local campsites or glamping sites gives you a proper base for exploring this gloriously unspoiled landscape, where Wales feels just a stone's throw away and tourism hasn't quite caught up yet.