New England

New England sits on the edge of Bewdley, a modest residential area that most visitors drive straight past without a second glance. But there's something rather appealing about this pocket of Shropshire - it's got that genuine English village feel, the kind where people actually know their neighbours and the high street hasn't been entirely colonised by charity shops.

The settlement itself is straightforward enough. You'll find ordinary houses, local amenities, and proper countryside on your doorstep rather than manicured park grounds. What draws visitors here is mainly its position as a useful waypoint for exploring the wider area around Bewdley, a town with real character sitting on the Severn. If you're staying at Lodge Coppice Holiday Park just down the road - a solid five-star operation - New England serves as a natural extension of your local wandering rather than a destination in itself.

The walk from Bewdley through to New England takes about forty minutes at a leisurely pace. You'll pass through genuine woodland and along proper paths rather than tourist-trap attractions. Families with older kids who actually enjoy walking will find it worthwhile; younger children might find it a bit dull without the promise of ice cream or a playground at the end.

Free to explore, naturally. No gates, no admission charges, no gift shop. Go when the weather's decent - there's little shelter along the way, and West Midlands drizzle can set in without warning.