Lydney

Tucked between the Forest of Dean and the River Severn, this former industrial town has shed its mining past to become a proper gateway to some of Gloucestershire's wildest countryside. The old railway works that once defined Lydney have given way to a quieter existence, though you can still spot remnants of its coal-hauling heritage if you know where to look.

Clearwell Castle dominates the landscape to the west - a Gothic Revival beauty that's been everything from a family home to a school and now hosts weddings and events. The real draw, though, is getting up onto the surrounding hills. Wyegate Hill and Mork Hill offer cracking views across the Severn Vale, while Hart Hill gives you the full Forest of Dean spread out below.

Archaeology buffs should make a beeline for Harold's Stones, a mysterious stone circle that predates Stonehenge. Tump Terrett, an Iron Age hillfort, sits nearby for those who fancy a proper walk through ancient history. The countryside here feels genuinely wild - Bargain Wood and Wyndcliff Wood are dense, atmospheric places where you might spot deer picking their way between the oaks.

Getting here is straightforward enough - the A48 runs right past, and you're only 20 minutes from Chepstow or Gloucester. Staying at one of the Forest of Dean campsites like Bracelands or Whitemead puts you right in the thick of it, with footpaths leading directly from your tent to some proper wilderness walking.