Worcester

Cathedral spires pierce the skyline above the River Severn, where narrow medieval streets wind past Tudor buildings that somehow survived the centuries. Worcester feels properly lived-in rather than polished for tourists - locals still use the high street shops, and the covered market bustles with proper butchers and bakers on weekdays.

The magnificent cathedral dominates everything, but venture beyond and you'll find quieter pleasures. Vines Park offers lovely riverside walks, while The Paint Box gallery showcases local artists in a converted warehouse space. For something completely different, the Blue Pool Vintage Museum houses an eccentric collection that's well worth an hour of anyone's time.

Countryside starts almost immediately beyond the city limits. Wassage Coppice provides proper woodland walking, and the various pools - Black Pool, Highstank Pool, Netherwich Basin - offer peaceful spots for contemplation. Hill End gives cracking views back across the Severn Valley on clear days.

Getting here couldn't be easier. Worcester sits bang on the M5, with regular trains from Birmingham and London. The A44 cuts straight through if you're driving from the Cotswolds.

Staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense for exploring both city and countryside. You're close enough for evening cathedral concerts or riverside pubs, yet surrounded by that gentle Worcestershire landscape of orchards and water meadows. The Wharf Caravan Park puts you right by the water, while spots like Lenchford Meadow offer more rural settings. Either way, you'll have Worcester's delights on your doorstep without the city centre parking hassles.