Oswestry

The old railway line that once connected this market town to Welshpool still traces its way through the countryside, though trains haven't run here since 1965. Oswestry sits right on the Welsh border, close enough to Offa's Dyke that you can pop across for a proper Welsh breakfast and be back for afternoon tea.

Up at Oliver's Point, the views stretch clear across to the Berwyn Mountains on a decent day. It's a bit of a climb, but well worth it for photographers. The town centre itself has that proper market town feel - independent shops still outnumber the chains, and Wednesday market day brings farmers down from the hills with proper local produce.

History buffs will appreciate The Cross, where old coaching routes once converged. Less well known but equally fascinating is Kynaston's Cave, carved into the sandstone cliffs - local legend says it housed a 16th-century outlaw, though the truth's probably more mundane. For a longer walk, Nesscliffe Hill Country Park offers miles of woodland trails through ancient oak and birch.

Getting here's straightforward enough. The A5 runs right past, making it an easy drive from Birmingham or Chester. Shrewsbury's the nearest proper railway station, about 20 miles south, with regular services to London and Manchester.

Staying at one of the holiday parks around town makes perfect sense. You're ideally placed for day trips into Wales - Llangollen's half an hour away - while still being close enough to slip into town for a pint at one of the traditional coaching inns. The surrounding countryside, with spots like Grug Hill and the ancient woodlands of Basnets Wood, gives you proper hiking territory right on your doorstep.