Welshpool

Rolling hills stretch in every direction from this Welsh border town, where sheep outnumber tourists by a considerable margin. Welshpool sits comfortably in the Severn Valley, a proper working market town that hasn't quite succumbed to theme park tourism despite its proximity to some cracking countryside.

The Workhouse museum tells the area's darker social history with unflinching honesty - it's a sobering counterpoint to all those romanticised rural narratives. Beyond town, the landscape opens up into serious walking territory. Moel Y Main and Allt Y Gadair offer the kind of views that make the steep climbs worthwhile, while Bryn-over Coppice provides gentler woodland rambles when the weather turns.

Getting here takes commitment if you're relying on public transport. Shrewsbury is your nearest major rail hub, about 20 miles northeast. Most visitors arrive by car, which makes perfect sense given the scattered nature of the attractions.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks gives you proper access to this corner of Powys without the hassle of daily drives from distant towns. Valley View Holiday Park and Hidden Valley Holiday Home Park put you right in the heart of hiking country, while spots like Oaklands Glamping offer something more luxurious if you fancy treehouse accommodation. The area rewards slow exploration rather than rushed day trips - there's something satisfying about returning to your base after a day spent conquering peaks like Long Hill or wandering the quiet paths around The Warren.