Leamington Spa

The Regency elegance hits you the moment you step onto the Parade. This town wears its spa heritage with considerable pride, all Georgian crescents and manicured gardens that wouldn't look out of place in Bath. Royal Leamington Spa earned its regal prefix the hard way - Queen Victoria herself blessed these healing waters back in 1838.

Jephson Gardens provides the perfect antidote to high street shopping. The formal flowerbeds and ornate glasshouse feel properly Victorian, while the River Leam winds lazily through the heart of town. Worth noting that the famous pump rooms still operate, though the sulphur springs taste exactly as medicinal as you'd expect.

Venturing beyond the town centre reveals surprising pockets of countryside. Itchington Holt offers decent woodland walks when you need to escape the traffic, while a string of quiet pools - Greenhill Lake, Mitre Pool, and the aptly named Little Grebe Pool - dot the surrounding farmland. These aren't exactly Lake District territory, but they're lovely spots for an afternoon stroll.

Warwick sits just three miles north, making this area a proper base for exploring the medieval castle and surrounding villages. The train connections to Birmingham and London are excellent - under 90 minutes to Marylebone on a good day.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense if you're touring the Midlands. Knight's Village at Warwick Castle puts you within walking distance of the battlements, while Avon Riverside Glamping offers a more peaceful escape along the river. The M40 runs close enough for easy day trips to the Cotswolds, but far enough away to avoid the constant hum of traffic.