Boston

Market days still draw crowds to this Fenland port where the Witham meets The Wash. Boston might not shout about its charms, but there's more here than first meets the eye. The Herbert Ingram Statue stands as a reminder of the town's journalistic heritage - he founded the Illustrated London News before becoming Boston's MP.

Boston Guildhall deserves a proper look, housing centuries of local stories in its medieval walls. The building itself tells tales of merchant wealth and civic pride. Just down the road, Blackfriars Theatre & Arts Centre keeps culture alive with everything from amateur dramatics to touring productions.

The Haven provides another cultural outlet, while Boston Marina marks where the old port still functions. Walk along the riverfront and you'll see why this was once England's second-busiest port after London. The approach roads cut straight through some of Lincolnshire's flattest countryside - big skies and endless fields that either enchant or bore, depending on your disposition.

Getting here couldn't be simpler. Boston station sits on the Poacher Line from Nottingham, making it dead easy for a car-free visit. The A16 runs straight up from the Midlands if you're driving.

Staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense for exploring both the town and the wider Fens. Tattershall Lakes Country Park offers a different pace entirely, while spots like Long Acres Touring Park put you within striking distance of the coast at Skegness. The surrounding countryside might look monotonous to some, but there's something almost meditative about those vast horizons and the way the light plays across the fields.