Nottingham

Sheep dot the rolling hills like scattered cotton balls, while church spires pierce the Nottinghamshire countryside where ancient villages cluster around proper stone pubs. This is the Wolds - a quietly beautiful slice of England that sits just south of Nottingham city, where the pace drops and the landscape opens up into sweeping farmland dotted with copses and crossed by old drove roads.

Keyworth anchors this area with its thriving village centre, while smaller settlements like Plumtree and Stanton on the Wolds retain their medieval charm. Saint Margaret Clitherow in Keyworth tells the story of Catholic martyrdom, while Plumtree Pinfold reminds you of when stray livestock were a village concern. The countryside here rewards those who take time to explore on foot - The Stonepits and Eller's Gorse offer woodland walks where you might spot deer at dusk.

For a proper round of golf, Stanton on the Wolds Golf Course provides challenging play across undulating terrain with cracking views across the Vale of Belvoir. Less energetic souls can simply enjoy the view from one of the village pubs, watching tractors work the fields that stretch to the horizon.

Getting here is straightforward - the A606 runs through the heart of the area, connecting you to Nottingham in twenty minutes and the A1 in half an hour. East Midlands Airport sits just down the road, though the flight paths rarely disturb the peace.

Staying at one of the nearby parks puts you perfectly placed for day trips into Nottingham while keeping you grounded in proper countryside. The contrast works beautifully - city museums and castle by day, evening walks through wheat fields and early morning birdsong.