Wrexham

Football fans flood into this Welsh border town on match days, transforming its Victorian streets into a sea of red shirts. But beyond the stadium roar, Wrexham reveals a surprisingly layered character - part Welsh market town, part English borderland, with enough industrial heritage and countryside access to keep you busy between games. The town sits perfectly for exploring both Welsh valleys and Shropshire hills, making it an unexpectedly useful base.

Old Oswestry dominates the skyline to the east - one of Britain's finest Iron Age hillforts, though most visitors never bother climbing it. Shame, really. The views stretch across three counties on a clear day. Closer to town, Caldecott's Wood offers gentler walking through ancient woodland, while Selattyn Hill provides another decent scramble for those who fancy working up an appetite.

Transport links are spot-on here. Chirk and Ruabon stations put you straight onto the Shrewsbury-Chester line, while Gobowen connects you deeper into Wales. The Glyn Valley Tramway Shed hints at the area's industrial past - this narrow-gauge line once carried slate from Welsh quarries through these valleys. Upper Mills Trout Farm still operates nearby, supplying restaurants across the region with fresh fish.

Staying at one of the holiday parks around Wrexham makes perfect sense if you're planning to explore the Welsh-English borderlands properly. Fernwood Caravan Park and Woodland Park Lodges offer different styles of accommodation, while the newer glamping options like Sweeney Farm provide something more upmarket. You're within easy striking distance of Chirk Castle, Llangollen, and even Chester for day trips, but far enough from the crowds to actually relax.