Northampton

Three crosses mark the spot where Queen Eleanor's funeral cortege rested in 1290, and this medieval monument still stands proudly on Delapre Park's edge. That's Northampton for you - a town where history pops up in the most unexpected places, surrounded by rolling Northamptonshire hills that offer proper countryside walks just minutes from the ring road.

The town itself has seen better days, truth be told. But venture beyond the pedestrianised centre and you'll find some cracking spots. Hunsbury Hill Country Park sits on an Iron Age hill fort site, offering decent views across the Nene Valley. It's a bit of a climb but well worth it on a clear day. Dallington Hill provides another elevated escape, while Upton Heights gives you a different perspective entirely.

For families seeking adventure indoors, the Pinnacle Climbing Centre offers excellent bouldering walls. The town's got a surprising cultural side too, with Unit 17 Dance & Performing Arts hosting regular performances in converted industrial spaces.

Getting here couldn't be easier - junction 15 off the M1 dumps you practically in the town centre. The mainline station connects directly to London Euston in under an hour, making this a convenient base for exploring the wider Midlands.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense if you're touring this part of England. You're perfectly positioned for day trips to Silverstone Circuit, just twenty minutes south, or the stunning gardens at Althorp. The Grand Union Canal winds through the area, offering lovely towpath walks, while the ancient Watling Street Roman road cuts straight through - history buffs will have a field day tracking down archaeological sites scattered across the surrounding countryside.