Oswestry

Railway enthusiasts will recognise this market town as the former terminus of the Cambrian line, and that heritage lives on at the excellent Cambrian Railways Museum. Oswestry sits right on the Welsh border, giving it a wonderfully mixed character that's neither fully English nor Welsh but something distinctly its own.

The town centre revolves around a proper market square where Wednesday and Saturday markets still draw crowds from both sides of the border. Oswestry Town Museum tells the story of this frontier settlement, while the Attfield Theatre keeps local culture alive with everything from amateur dramatics to touring productions. It's not the most thrilling place on earth, but there's something rather appealing about its quiet border-town atmosphere.

Climbing Sweeney Mountain rewards you with cracking views across both countries, while Llynclys Pool offers a peaceful spot for a walk when you need to escape the modest bustle below. The remains of the Grand Stand hint at the town's Victorian heyday when horse racing brought visitors from miles around.

Llynclys South station still serves the town, connecting it to Shrewsbury in about 50 minutes - handy for day trips to the county town. From Oswestry, you're also within striking distance of Snowdonia if you fancy a proper Welsh adventure.

Basing yourself at one of the nearby holiday parks like Tanat Holiday Park or Bank Farm Caravan Park makes perfect sense. You get the peace of the Shropshire countryside while being close enough to explore both the town's modest attractions and the spectacular Welsh hills just across the border. It's an ideal spot for those who prefer their holidays without crowds.