Maidstone

The county town sits where the River Medway cuts through the North Downs, creating a proper market town feel that's managed to keep its character despite being Kent's administrative heart. Maidstone has that lived-in quality you get in working towns - busy during the week with council workers and shoppers, quieter at weekends when the locals have it to themselves.

Kent's rolling countryside unfolds in all directions from here. Ulcombe Hill and Ashdown Hill offer cracking walks with views across the Weald, while the network of ancient woods - Findings Wood, Chapel Wood, and Salisbury Wood among them - make for lovely afternoon rambles. The area's dotted with proper English villages too, many still connected by the old railway line through Harrietsham and Lenham stations.

History buffs will find oddities like the Dog Collar Museum and the Brother Percival statue, plus Stockbury Castle for those who fancy a bit of archaeology. The Falconry Shows draw crowds, though they're a bit touristy for some tastes. What really works here is the combination of easy access to London (trains run regularly) and genuine countryside within minutes of the town centre.

Staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense. Kits Coty Glamping and Chegworth Mill Glamping put you right in the Kentish landscape, while spots like Bearsted Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite keep you close enough to nip into town for supplies or a proper pub lunch. The area's well-connected too - you're an hour from Canterbury, the same to the coast, and the M20's right there when you need it.