Nottingham

The A52 cuts through what feels like proper Nottinghamshire countryside here, where market towns still hold their weekly rhythm and the pace drops a gear or two from the city. Bingham sits at the heart of this gentle landscape, a working town that's managed to keep its character despite the commuter traffic heading into Nottingham proper.

Wander down the high street and you'll find Bingham Library anchoring the community spirit, while St Mary and All Saints watches over the rooftops with that solid presence old parish churches do so well. The town's got a proper sense of its past too - memorials to VE & VJ Day 1945 and the 1914-1918 commemoration remind you this isn't just another dormitory settlement.

What really works about staying at one of the holiday parks around here is the countryside access. Springdale Wood offers decent walking without the weekend crowds you get closer to the Peak District, while Bingham Linear Park gives you that gentle riverside stroll that's perfect after a day exploring. The archaeological remains at Margidunum show just how long people have found this bit of Nottinghamshire worth settling in.

Getting here is dead simple via the A52 from Nottingham - about 20 minutes in decent traffic. Bingham train station puts you on the direct line into the city if you fancy leaving the car behind for a day. The Leisure Centre sorts you out for a proper swim, and there's enough going on locally that you won't feel the need to trek into town every day. It's that sweet spot where you get countryside quiet but urban convenience isn't too far when you need it.