Alfreton

Former mining communities dot the landscape around this Derbyshire town, where red-brick terraces give way to rolling countryside within minutes. Alfreton sits at the heart of what was once Britain's coal belt, though today the pit wheels have gone and nature is reclaiming the old spoil heaps.

Alfreton Park offers proper woodland walks just outside the town centre, while families with young children should make a beeline for Stonebroom Animal Learning Centre & Community Woodland. It's not your typical zoo - more of a hands-on learning experience where kids can get up close with farm animals and explore the surrounding woodland trails.

The countryside hereabouts is surprisingly green for somewhere so close to the M1. Padley Wood makes for lovely rambling, especially in spring when the bluebells are out. More adventurous types might fancy exploring Castle Hill at Pentrich, an archaeological site that rewards the climb with cracking views across the Amber Valley.

Getting here couldn't be easier - the M1 runs right past, and you're barely 20 minutes from Derby or Nottingham. That proximity to major cities makes Alfreton a clever base for exploring both the Peak District fringes and the industrial heritage sites scattered across this part of Derbyshire.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks puts you right in the sweet spot for day trips. You could be hiking in proper Peak District countryside within half an hour, or exploring the fascinating remnants of Derbyshire's mining past. The area around Clay Cross, just down the road, still bears the scars and stories of its industrial heritage, while quieter spots like Wolfie Pond offer peaceful fishing and reflection.