Oakham

Market towns don't come much smaller than this. Rutland's county town sits in England's smallest county, where rolling countryside meets proper rural life and you can drive from one end to the other in twenty minutes flat. The high street feels genuinely lived-in rather than touristy - local butchers and bakeries still thrive here.

Oakham Castle stands at the town's heart, though calling it a castle is generous. It's actually a remarkably preserved 12th-century great hall where the walls display an extraordinary collection of horseshoes - a tradition dating back centuries when peers of the realm had to forfeit one when passing through. The weekly market still draws crowds on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Rutland Water lies just east of town. This massive reservoir offers sailing, cycling round its 25-mile perimeter, and some of the best birdwatching in the Midlands. The cycling route is properly flat - perfect for families. Anglian Water's visitor centres at Whitwell and Normanton provide decent cafes and bike hire.

Beyond the water, the countryside opens into gentle hills dotted with villages that time forgot. Stapleford Park Golf Club offers a challenging round with views across the Vale of Belvoir, while the ancient woodlands like Waltham New Covert and Freeby Wood provide excellent walking. Cold Overton Park gives you the highest point in Rutland - all of 197 metres, but the views stretch for miles.

Getting here couldn't be simpler. The A1 runs nearby, and Oakham station connects directly to Birmingham and Cambridge. Leicester sits 25 miles south-west if you need a proper shopping fix. Staying at one of the holiday parks around Eye Kettleby Lakes or the camping spots near Frisby puts you within easy reach of both Rutland's quiet charms and the Peak District's southern edge.