Stevenage

The poster child for post-war new town planning, Stevenage splits opinion like Marmite. Built from scratch in the 1940s, it's got that distinctive modernist grid system that either fascinates or frustrates visitors. The town centre pedestrianised zone was revolutionary for its time, though it feels a bit tired these days.

What saves Stevenage from being just another commuter hub is the surprising amount of green space woven around it. Harmer's Bushes and Skegg's Wood offer proper woodland walks just minutes from the high street, while Pryor's Wood and Thirlmere Wood provide longer rambles for those wanting to stretch their legs. The network of footpaths connecting these wooded areas is actually rather impressive - you can walk for miles without hitting tarmac.

Serpentine Wood lives up to its name with winding paths that feel worlds away from the nearby A1(M). Lady's Wood and The Rookery are cracking spots for birdwatching, especially early morning when the traffic hasn't built up yet.

Getting here couldn't be easier - Stevenage station sits on the East Coast Main Line with direct trains to London King's Cross in under 30 minutes. The A1(M) runs right past, making it dead simple by car from anywhere in the north or south.

Staying at one of the holiday parks dotted around the area makes perfect sense. You're close enough to nip into London for the day, yet surrounded by Hertfordshire countryside that most people rush straight past. Radwell Lake campsite and the various woodland sites offer a proper break from urban life, while keeping you within easy reach of both the capital and the Chilterns.