Maidstone

Shopping centres and ring roads might dominate first impressions, but look beyond the modern sprawl and Maidstone reveals its proper Kentish heart. The county town sits in the Medway Valley, surrounded by apple orchards and ancient woodlands that hint at why this spot has been settled for centuries.

White Horse Wood Country Park offers the best escape from urban life - miles of bridleways and footpaths wind through mixed woodland where you can actually hear birdsong over traffic. Further out, Gore Wood and Monkdown Wood provide quieter rambles, though they're a bit of a trek from the town centre.

Detling Hill delivers cracking views across the Weald when the weather's clear. It's worth the climb, especially if you fancy stretching your legs after wandering round the pedestrianised high street. The town itself won't win any beauty contests, but it's properly functional with decent shopping and regular trains to London.

Staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense for exploring both Maidstone and the wider Kent countryside. Bearsted station puts you within easy reach of Canterbury or the coast, while sites like Kits Coty Glamping and Chegworth Mill Glamping offer a more stylish base than the usual caravan park fare.

The surrounding countryside is classic Kent - rolling hills dotted with hop gardens and orchards, country pubs serving proper Sunday roasts, and enough footpaths to keep walkers happy for a fortnight. It's not dramatic landscape, but it's lovely in that understated English way.