Watford

Twenty minutes from central London by train, this Hertfordshire town feels worlds away from the capital's chaos. The M25 hums nearby, but duck into Cassiobury Park and you'll find proper countryside - ancient oak trees, the Grand Union Canal meandering through, and enough space for the kids to properly run about.

Watford gets a bit of stick for being all shopping centres and chain restaurants. Fair enough - the high street isn't winning any beauty contests. But there's more here than meets the eye. The Colosseum on Rickmansworth Road puts on decent shows, while film buffs can catch the latest blockbusters at Cineworld.

For a proper day out, head to nearby Aldenham Country Park. It's got everything: walking trails, a working farm, and a lovely reservoir where you can feed the ducks. The kids will love the adventure playground, and there's a decent cafe for a cuppa afterwards.

Getting here couldn't be easier. Watford Junction connects you to London Euston in under 20 minutes, while the Metropolitan line serves several local stations including Watford High Street and Cassiobury Park Station. By car, junction 19 of the M25 drops you right into town.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense. You've got the Chilterns on your doorstep - brilliant for walking and cycling. Whipsnade Zoo is a short drive away, and you can reach the Warner Bros Studio Tour at Leavesden in about ten minutes. Plus, if London calls, you're on a train and in the West End before you know it.