Royston

The weekly market still draws crowds to this ancient Hertfordshire market town, though Royston has quietly shaken off its sleepy reputation in recent years. Straddling the old Roman road of Ermin Street, it's got that proper market town feel without the tourist hordes you'll find elsewhere in the Home Counties.

History buffs make a beeline for the extraordinary cave beneath Melbourn Street - a mysterious chalk-carved chamber covered in medieval symbols that still baffles archaeologists today. The high street might look unremarkable at first glance, but dig deeper and you'll find independent shops that have survived the retail apocalypse, plus a couple of decent pubs serving proper ales.

What really puts Royston on the map is its proximity to IWM Duxford, arguably Britain's finest aviation museum. Just a short drive south, this former Battle of Britain airfield houses everything from Spitfires to Concordes. The American Air Museum there tells the story of US forces based in Britain during WWII, while the Fighter Collection showcases rare warbirds you won't see anywhere else.

Countryside lovers aren't left out either. Therfield Heath stretches northeast of town - chalk downland that's been grazed for centuries and bursts with wildflowers come summer. The Icknield Way long-distance path cuts right through, offering cracking walks towards the Chilterns.

Getting here couldn't be easier - regular trains from London King's Cross take under an hour, and you're bang on the A10 for driving. Cambridge lies twenty minutes north if you fancy a day trip to the university town.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense. You're close enough to nip into town for supplies or a pub lunch, yet surrounded by proper countryside. Shepreth Mill Caravan & Camping Holiday Park puts you right in the rural heart of things, while still being handy for both Royston's amenities and those Duxford aircraft.