Taunton

Cricket bats are born here. The Somerset Levels stretch endlessly in every direction, their flat fields interrupted only by pollard willows that supply England's finest cricket bat makers. This is proper countryside - the sort where morning mist hangs low over drainage ditches and herons stand motionless in roadside rhynes.

The Somerset Space Walk offers something completely different. Scattered across the levels, scale models of planets mark out our solar system - you'll find Saturn, Jupiter and Venus dotted around the landscape, each one precisely positioned to show the mind-boggling distances involved. It's brilliant for kids and surprisingly engaging for adults too.

Coates English Willow Visitor Centre tells the story of how these ancient trees become cricket bats. The guided tours reveal centuries-old techniques still used today, and you'll see craftsmen shaping timber that might one day grace Lord's.

History buffs should seek out Athelney Hill, where Alfred the Great once hid from Viking raiders. The views from this modest rise stretch across the levels, offering perspective on why this watery landscape provided such effective refuge. St Gregory's Church and the Church of St Martin anchor the area's spiritual heritage, while Cathanger Manor represents its aristocratic past.

Getting here from Taunton takes about twenty minutes by car - the county town provides the nearest rail connections and main road links. Staying at one of the local camping parks puts you right in the heart of the levels, perfect for early morning walks when the wildlife is most active and the light catches the morning dew on spider webs strung between fence posts.