Leicester

Two Norman landmarks shape the skyline here - Old John tower on Beacon Hill and the haunting ruins of Bradgate House below. This corner of Leicestershire feels properly rural despite being a stone's throw from the M1. Rolling countryside stretches in every direction, dotted with ancient earthworks like Castle Hill and crossed by footpaths that have been trodden for centuries.

Bradgate Park dominates the area, its 850 acres of heathland and woodland making it one of England's largest country parks. Wild deer roam freely here, just as they did when Lady Jane Grey walked these same paths in the 1500s. The ruins of her family home, Bradgate House, still command respect - red brick walls standing defiant against five centuries of Leicestershire weather.

Climbing Beacon Hill rewards you with cracking views across three counties. At 248 metres, it's hardly Snowdon, but the panorama takes in the Pennines on clear days. Old John tower at the summit was built as a folly in 1784, though locals will spin you tales about it being a windmill or hunting lodge.

Getting here is straightforward - junction 22 of the M1 puts you within minutes of Newtown Linford, the main gateway village. Leicester city centre lies eight miles southeast, but you'll barely notice the urban sprawl from up here among the bracken and gorse.

Staying at one of the local holiday parks makes perfect sense for exploring this slice of Charnwood Forest. Several touring parks like Charnwood Acres and High Meadows Farm offer easy access to the walking trails, while The Dandelion Hideaway provides luxury glamping for those wanting something special. You're ideally placed to explore both the wild heath of Bradgate and the gentler countryside around Mountsorrel.