Tring

A Grand Union Canal cuts right through this market town, bringing narrow boats and waterside pubs into the heart of what feels like proper Chilterns countryside. Tring sits where the chalk hills meet gentler farmland, creating a landscape that's both dramatic and surprisingly intimate.

The town centre has that lived-in feel you get in places where locals actually shop rather than just tourists passing through. But it's the surrounding area that really rewards exploration. Pavis Wood offers cracking views across the vale, while the network of ancient woodlands like High Scrubs and Shrubb's Wood provides endless walking opportunities.

Families make a beeline for Go Ape!, where the treetop adventure course gets the adrenaline flowing. More sedate but equally engaging is the Admiral Lord Howe gallery, tucked away and well worth seeking out. The John Hampden Monument marks where Civil War history was made, though the surrounding countryside feels peaceful enough now.

Water features heavily here. Hampden Pond draws anglers and dog walkers alike, while the canal towpath provides easy cycling and walking routes in both directions. For something completely different, Chiltern Archery lets you loose arrows in Robin Hood fashion.

Tring's position makes it brilliant for exploring the wider Chilterns. You're 30 miles northwest of London via the A41, with Aylesbury just 15 minutes down the road for bigger shops and transport links. The train station connects directly to London Euston in under an hour.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks like Hill Farm Camping or Wingbury Farm Glamping puts you right in the countryside while keeping market town amenities within easy reach. The combination of woodland walks, canal-side rambles and proper English countryside makes this corner of Buckinghamshire particularly appealing for families wanting space to roam.