Westbury

A proper working market town beneath Wiltshire's rolling downs, Westbury keeps its feet firmly on the ground while tourists flock to flashier spots nearby. The railway line cuts right through its heart - Westbury station is one of those proper Victorian terminals that still feels important, connecting this corner of west Wiltshire to Bath, Bristol and London.

The town centre won't win any beauty contests, but there's something refreshingly honest about its mix of independent shops and everyday businesses. Westbury Museum tells the local story well enough, while The Phone Box Gallery proves even the smallest spaces can showcase decent art. For a proper stretch of the legs, Vivash Park offers green space without the crowds, and Westbury Pond provides a surprisingly peaceful spot for wildlife watching.

What makes this area special is what surrounds it. Longleat Safari Park lies just south - proper big cats and monkeys roaming about in one of England's most famous stately homes. The Mendip Hills roll away to the west, while Salisbury Plain stretches east with its ancient monuments and wide skies. It's chalk downland country at its finest, with footpaths leading up onto the escarpment for cracking views across the vale.

Getting here couldn't be easier. The M4 and A36 both pass close by, while direct trains run from London Paddington in under two hours. Bath lies just 20 miles north, making this a smart base for exploring both the Georgian splendours there and the wilder countryside beyond.

Staying at one of the holiday parks dotted around this corner of Wiltshire makes perfect sense. You're close enough for day trips to Bath or Stonehenge, yet far enough from the madness to enjoy proper peace and quiet. Center Parcs Longleat Forest offers family-friendly facilities right on your doorstep, while smaller sites like Brokerswood Holiday Park keep things more low-key.